Reconstruction /Redesign of the I-69/I-94 Highway Interchange

Author

Manuel A. Torreira, Western Michigan University

Date of Defense

Spring 4-17-2012

Date of Graduation

Spring 4-28-2012

Department

Civil and Construction Engineering

First Advisor

Haluk Aktan, Civil and Construction Engineering

Second Advisor

Valerian Kwigizile, Civil and Construction Engineering

Third Advisor

Jun-Seok Oh, Civil and Construction Engineering

Keywords

Highway redesign; I-69, I-94

Abstract

The focus of this senior design project was to reconstruct the interchange consisting in I­94 and 1-69, which were not up to Michigan Department of Transportation's (MDOT) standards. Many problems exist throughout this interchange, including flooding issues, current ramp configurations, low design speeds, and safety considerations. As a result, three alternatives were made and a unanimous decision from the client, faculty advisor, and our group was made in order to further analyze one of those alternatives. Once a certain alternative was selected, then the geometric designs were further analyzed.

The many factors that had to be taken into account were superelevations of the curves, horizontal and vertical alignment, storm water considerations, earthwork, wetlands impact, and finally a cost estimate. Using professional engineering software, such as Microstation and GeoPak, vertical curves could be developed in order to design for all vertical clearances of all bridges and ramps. Nonetheless, this project proposed many constraints that had to be accounted for. Right-of-way issues and wooded wetlands definitely limited work space throughout the interchange and could potentially cause flooding on the highway.

The three main problems with the existing interchange were low design speeds, safety issues due to left hand entrances, and flooding due to the wetlands. Horizontal alignments were determined by calculating the minimum radius of each individual curve. Once these values were known, vertical alignments were designed for each roadway using three criteria: tie in points, storm water target points, and bridge underclearances. Earthwork and the impact of the wetlands were analyzed and finally, a cost estimate was made for the interchange, which was a little under $32 million US dollars.

Recommended Citation

Torreira, Manuel A., "Reconstruction /Redesign of the I-69/I-94 Highway Interchange" (2012). Honors Theses. 2228.
https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/honors_theses/2228

Access Setting

Honors Thesis-Open Access