Pine Dunes Forest Preserve

Challenge: PirTano Construction is the general contractor awarded the contract by the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (ISTHA), for the mitigation of impacts associated with the construction of the O’Hare International Airport Western Access Project, to meet the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers mitigation requirements.

Results: The mitigation project was successful in the creation of 30 individual wetlands over 80 acres and 235 acres of adjacent savanna and prairie habitat restoration. In addition to the habitat restoration work, the mitigation project also provided for public access improvements, including entrance roadway and parking lot, with over 2 miles of aggregate, bicycle and pedestrian trails, and (4) wooden boardwalks.