Chicago Tunnel Systems Repair and Maintenance

Cook County, Illinois

DB Sterlin provided inspection, maintenance, and repairs for the Chicago Tunnel Systems including the underground Chicago Freight and Trolley Tunnel Systems (CFTTS), the Wacker Drive Road Tunnel (WDRT) and any other tunnels within the city’s jurisdiction. Inspections were performed regularly, or upon request, to evaluate the tunnel liner, dewatering systems; monitoring systems; programmable logic controllers; central processing unit; software and hardware; fiber optic cables; motor controller centers; communication systems; electrical power distribution equipment; fire protection equipment; fire safety equipment; traffic control equipment; ventilation systems; air quality sensors; closed-circuit television equipment; protective barriers; signage; and any other associated equipment. DB Sterlin also monitored access to the tunnels allowing only approved and permitted personnel to enter.

The CFTTS consists of approximately 60 miles of tunnels 40 feet below City streets which were hand carved through native clay and hand packed with concrete over 100 years ago. Today, the tunnels serve mainly as a utility corridor for various communications and power utilities.  The WDRT is located in lower-level Wacker Drive from Michigan Avenue to Harrison Street.  DB Sterlin assisted TranSystems by performing regular inspections to identify any equipment or infrastructure needing maintenance or repair and overseeing various Contractor activities being performed within the City ROW to verify all work was performed in accordance with City Standards.