V3 has been honored with a 2024 Engineering Excellence Award for one of our water resources projects. As chosen by ACEC Illinois, this award recognizes engineering achievements that benefit public welfare, meet client goals, and elevate engineering practices. We are proud to be part of this year’s celebrated engineering firms; learn more about our award-winning project!
ACEC Illinois chose our Smith & Cambridge Drainage Improvements project for a merit award based on its commitment to satisfying the client’s needs. We worked with DuPage County Stormwater to address flooding in Unincorporated West Chicago. The project included the traditional use of storm sewer to provide flood relief to residents. However, water quality treatment and accommodation of a sensitive outfall required outside the box thinking to achieve within a limited footprint in the Smith Road ROW and on Forest Preserve property.
We designed a section of open channel within the southern ROW limit to route stormwater runoff collected within the new storm sewer. The swale was planted with native species to promote deposition of sediment and hydrocarbon uptake that helps protect the ecology of Bass Lake and the West Branch DuPage River. Appropriate roadway improvements such as guard rail were also designed by V3 to ensure motorist safety adjacent to the open channel section of the conveyance system.
The project required temporary disturbance of wetland and Waters of the U.S. buffer areas within the Smith Road ROW and at the outfall to Bass Lake. Our staff performed a detailed evaluation of these areas prior to construction and designed appropriate restoration measures to return the areas to their natural state. The frequency and duration of stormwater inundation was determined by creation of detailed hydrologic and hydraulic models. Plant species were selected based on these evaluations to thrive under anticipated saturation conditions, promote water quality enhancement, create habitat, and improve aesthetics within the project corridor.
We successfully executed a complex flood relief project that both satisfied the client’s needs and benefited the community. By working closely with the Forest Preserve District, ideal conditions were met, effectively providing a cost-effective and environmentally friendly solution for managing stormwater. Creative problem solving addressed myriad concerns such as protecting area residents and local Waters of the US, with minimal impacts to all. By formulating detailed hydrologic and hydraulic models, cultivating native plantings, and installing 3,400 linear feet of new storm sewer, we reduced the risk of future flooding, improving the community’s health and safety while protecting homes and property values. In addition, work was completed on time and on budget, making this standout project worthy of recognition.
“The Smith & Cambridge project highlights V3’s ability to find creative solutions to flooding problems in areas with limited access and a narrow right-of-way. Our team was able to provide meaningful flood relief while accommodating existing project constraints and the needs of multiple stakeholders. I’m proud of our team’s ability to design effective solutions that directly improve the quality of life for so many people.”
Dave Vogel, Project Manager
Thank you to ACEC Illinois for recognizing our commitment to excellence, and congratulations to our fellow 2024 Engineering Excellence Award winners!