March 30, 2014 – By April 5, most of the “H-Pile” installation will be finished between State Street and Clark Street. They are also doing this between Clark and LaSalle Streets, as well as installing sheet pile that will serve as the river wall.

(Left) Workers guide steel piles into place on Friday near State Street. (Click on images to view larger versions.)

H-Piles are vertical beams driven into the ground for support. When connected, they often look like the letter “H.” The piles will transfer the weight of the Riverwalk to layers of earth capable of supporting it.

Sheet piles are long sections of steel beams that connect to each other to form a continuous wall.

Workers are still removing the old concrete of the existing Riverwalk between State and LaSalle Streets. They will demolish the arch over a ComEd equipment room between Clark and LaSalle, according to construction manager Oswaldo Chaves.

Construction equipment starts up every morning at 6:30. Work hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday.

The north sidewalk of Wacker Drive will remain closed between Clark and LaSalle until December. (Right) Wider view of pile installation.

• Previous story: Under-bridge work on Riverwalk to start mid-April
• More photos: Riverwalk construction