(Left) Walsh Construction workers wrangle concrete poured into the giant wood form at right. This photo was taken by CDOT west of Dearborn Street on July 21. Click on images to view larger versions.

August 3, 2014 – With the new steel river walls mostly in place, the focus of work on the Chicago Riverwalk has turned to concrete.

The project’s largest concrete pour to date was completed on Saturday. In an update to neighbors of the Riverwalk, the Chicago Department of Transportation did not quantify the amount of concrete that was poured, but it extended from Dearborn Street west to Clark Street and was at least ten feet wide.

CDOT calls this area a “deadman” and describes it as a “concrete cap” over the steel piles that anchor the Riverwalk about 70 feet into the riverbed.

(Right) Progress east of Dearborn, photographed on Sunday. Wacker Drive at left.

Recent work included installation of tiebacks – that help anchor the new river wall – and drainage structures. Workers still need to get all the water out of spaces between the new wall and old Riverwalk and backfill it with crushed stone.

Work is being done each week, Monday through Friday, 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. and on Saturday, 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Construction equipment starts up at 6:30 a.m.

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