Walsh At Work August 2024

Chicago Transit Authority selects Walsh-VINCI Transit Community Partners to design and build Red Line Extension Project

Chicago, Illinois - The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) has selected Walsh-VINCI Transit Community Partners for a $2.9 billion contract to design and build the Red Line Extension project, a 5.6-mile extension of the Red Line from 95th Street to 130th Street, including four new Red Line stations.

Walsh-VINCI Transit Community Partners includes Walsh Construction, VINCI Construction, EXP, Systra, and other subcontractors.

The Red Line Extension (RLE) is the largest project in CTA history and will provide faster connections from the Far South Side to the rest of the city while serving as an economic catalyst to one of the most disinvested parts of Chicago. The RLE is a transit equity project that fulfills a commitment to the Far South Side by significantly improving transportation to this part of the city with 5.6 miles of new track and four new fully accessible rail stations at 103rd, 111th, Michigan near 116th and 130th Street. Construction is expected to start in late 2025 and be completed by 2030.

Walsh Construction and Milestone Contractors celebrate opening of new I-69 / I-465 Interchange

Indianapolis, Indiana - Exciting day in Indianapolis as we celebrated the opening of the I-69 / I-465 Interchange on the city's southwest side, and the renaming of the I-69 corridor as the Iraq Afghanistan Veterans Memorial Highway.

Built by Walsh Construction and Milestone Contractors LP, the newly constructed interchange consists of two non-stop flyover ramps connecting I-69 and I-465 and will allow traffic to flow freely between the two corridors. This connection, part of the I-69 Finish Line Project, is set to have a positive impact on the region’s economic stability and will provide a quicker, safer commute for motorists.

Walsh completes installation of Buckling Restrained Braces (BRBs) at San Juan VA Medical Center

San Juan, Puerto Rico - Congratulations to the Walsh and Department of Veterans Affairs construction team for reaching a significant milestone at San Juan VA Medical Center in Puerto Rico! The team completed the installation of Buckling Restrained Braces (BRB) as part of the seismic correction project. These BRBs resist earthquake forces and improve a building's resistance to lateral forces. They are engineered to yield uniformly in tension and compression without buckling. The seismic correction also allows interior upgrades throughout the medical center, particularly from the basement to Level 3. These upgrades include architectural, fire protection, mechanical, electrical, plumbing, elevators, communications, and life safety improvements.

Walsh Construction achieves major milestone with McKinley Street Bridge Move

Corona, California – Walsh Construction has achieved a major milestone at The McKinley Street Grade Separation Project with the successful offline construction and installation of the new McKinley Street Bridge over BNSF railroad tracks and the Arlington Channel. The new bridge, which incorporates 2.4 million pounds of steel and bridge components was safely transported and positioned using self-propelled modular transporters, hydraulic climbing jacks, lashings, and a rolling track system.

Ahead of the move, the bridge had been erected in segments at a staging area adjacent to the installation site. Heavy lifts included several 105-foot-long knuckle to tie girder assemblies and 110-foot-long arches reaching 56 feet above deck level. All lifts were accomplished using a 220-ton Manitowoc 2250 crawler crane.

The bridge itself is a basket arch design tied and tensioned by cable hangers, which require multiple stressing sequences to ensure structural stability. The first stressing sequence took place before the bridge was moved to its final location, with a second sequence occurring after it is in place. The bridge spans 294 feet with a width of approximately 91 feet and is a critical component of the project’s overall objective to improve traffic flow and safety where McKinley Street intersects with a busy railway line, a canal, and another road, all at ground level.

Archer Western completes installation of steel tub girders at I-95 Express Lanes Phase 3C

Ft. Lauderdale, Florida - Congratulations to the crews at I-95 Express Lanes Phase 3C on completing the installation of the project's steel tub girders near Ft. Lauderdale. Archer Western and The de Moya Group, Inc. recently placed the final girders for the I-95 / I-595 Express Lane Direct Connector Ramps. Throughout the project, more than 13.3 million pounds of steel tub girders were placed stretching across more than 12,000 linear feet.

The overall I-95 Express Lanes Phase 3C project will extend the existing Express Lanes north from just south of Hollywood Boulevard to just south of Broward Boulevard in Broward County. One lane will be added and the High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane will be converted to create two Express Lanes in each direction.

Walnut Creek Water Reclamation Facility over 50% complete

McDonough, Georgia - Archer Western and PC Construction Company have passed the 50% completion mark at at Henry County Water Authority’s Walnut Creek Water Reclamation Facility Expansion Project. This vast construction site has over 200 construction personnel working hard to deliver the $182 million project that will increase plant capacity from 8 MGD to 14 MGD.

The expansion will feature a new 6 MGD membrane bioreactor treatment plant that will meet or exceeds all EPA standards combined with an Autothermal Thermophilic Aerobic Digestion System and one of the largest Solar Sludge Dryers on the East Coast.

Archer Western and City of Hutto break ground on South Wastewater Treatment Plant

Hutto, Texas - Construction is underway on the Hutto South Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP) Improvements Project. We joined the City of Hutto and Garver to break ground and begin work to upgrade plant capacity from 2.5 MGD to 6 MGD. This expansion will convert the wastewater treatment plant from a sequencing batch reactor (SBR) process to an anaerobic-anoxic-aerobic (A2) process. The advanced process will help remove harmful nutrients from the wastewater and will help support Hutto’s continued growth and environmentally friendly development.

Archer Western installs B42 Box Beams for DART Silver Line railroad bridge

Carrollton, Texas - Archer Western and Herzog manage the installation of B42 box beams for the new railroad bridge over the Trinity River in Texas. This operation is part of Archer Western Herzog’s construction of DART (Dallas Area Rapid Transit) Silver Line, which will traverse seven cities across North Texas, from DFW Airport to Plano.

Beacon Memorial Hospital Patient Tower crane takes center stage

South Bend, Indiana - Walsh Construction has erected our newest 17-story tower crane at Beacon Health System's Memorial Hospital of South Bend. The crane, standing 110 feet taller than the tower itself, symbolizes the transformation of the hospital's skyline. The crane will construct the hospital's new 10-story patient tower that will enhance healthcare services in the region with modernized facilities and patient care.

Click below to read more as Project Superintendent Michael Samborsky shares details and logistics about the tower crane and how it will be put to work on site.

Archer Western delivering improvements to W.B. Casey Water Reclamation Facility

Clayton County, Georgia - The W.B. Casey Water Reclamation Facility is in the beginnings of a major upgrade led by Archer Western and a progressive design-build approach to enhancing its biosolids processing capabilities. Two new anaerobic digesters, each with a 1.4-million-gallon capacity, will significantly reduce waste volume, destroy volatile solids, and generate biogas for renewable energy use. The upgrade also includes primary sludge screening to remove debris, and a new Dewatering and Drying Building equipped with centrifuges and a rotary drum thermal dryer to produce high-quality, odor-free pelletized biosolids.

These enhancements will improve the efficiency, reliability, and sustainability of the W.B. Casey WRF, positioning it to meet the county's needs for the next 40 years.

Nut Island Headworks Improvements receives ENR Best Project Award

Quincy, Massachusetts - Engineering News-Record New England has recognized the Nut Island Headworks Odor Control Improvements Project with a Best Project Award in the Water/Environment category.

Built by Walsh Construction and designed by Hazen & Sawyer, the project included the replacement and upgrade to the Nut Island Headworks Ventilation and Odor Control Facilities for the Massachusetts Water Resource Authority. Key components included installing four 55,000 CFM fans, rehabilitating three chemical wet scrubbers with new chemical metering pumps and tanks, replacing five steel carbon absorbers with 10 fiberglass carbon-containing tanks to treat odors and harmful gases, and installing 15 custom air handling units, 12 fans, and three new 9000 MBTU oil-fired boilers along with two new 20,000-gallon buried diesel tanks. Crews also installed new ductwork, removed and repaired an underground roof, installed roof hatches, replaced the emergency spillway isolation gates, installed a new egress stairway along with miscellaneous site work.

The Walsh Group ranks No. 1 in Crain's Chicago Business

Chicago, Illinois - The Walsh Group is listed No. 1 in Crain's Chicago Business' rankings of Chicago construction companies for 2024. Since 1898, The Walsh Group has been working in the City of Chicago and across its numerous surrounding communities. We're proud of our roots, grateful for the opportunities to continue constructing the local buildings and infrastructure that our neighbors need, and thrilled to have grown our teams and experience across North America.

Archer Western powers ahead on Southeast Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion

Zephryhills, Florida - Snapshots of Archer Western expanding the Southeast Wastewater Treatment Plant. Our hard-working crews are delivering an additional 3MGD of improvements via a new headworks facility, two aeration basins, a new clarifier, filter structure, backwash holding basin, chlorine contact basin, sludge holding basin, high service pump station, and dewatering facility. The project will increase the Southeast WWTP's capacity from 3 MGD to 6 MGD upon completion.

Archer Western progresses on McMicken Dam Rehabilitation Project

Surprise, Arizona - Looking in on Archer Western at the McMicken Dam Rehabilitation Project. This rehabilitation will improve the function and benefits of the 46,200-foot-long McMicken Dam, which provides flood protection for critical public facilities, infrastructure and properties in Surprise, El Mirage, Sun City and unincorporated Maricopa County. Currently on site:

  • Overall concrete work is nearly 90% complete
  • Rip rap placement is 70% complete
  • Weir wall construction is over 60% complete

Walsh Construction celebrates first grade beam pour at Ryan Field

Evanston, Illinois - We were very happy to share our Miraculous Medal tradition with our project partners at the site of Northwestern University's New Ryan Field.

Miraculous Medals were placed in the first grade beam pour for the new world-class facility. The Walsh team was grateful to be joined by Northwestern University, Ryan Sports Development as well as joint venture partner Turner Construction Company and Thornton Tomasetti.

Walsh At Work in Pictures

Plano, Texas - Residents are catching a glimpse of the new Silver Line trains in town with Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) testing underway. DART will test everything that goes into operating the new rail service, including the vehicles, from the Shiloh Road Station past the University of Texas at Dallas Station to Coit Road.
Chicago, Illinois - Walsh Construction interns gather at the Irondale equipment yard to learn how our Equipment Department manages and operates a $700+ million nation-wide fleet. Everyone's favorite event, the annual Equipment Rodeo, allows all interns the opportunity to operate a variety of equipment, from excavators to cranes to big rigs.
Louisville, Kentucky - The Louisville VA Medical Center will have a dedicated Central Utility Plant on site to provide a variety of support to the surrounding structures. The facility constructed by Walsh-Turner Joint Venture will be able to provide all necessary systems for daily operations of the hospital and is prepared to provide emergency power 24/7 in case of loss of power.
Boston, Massachusetts - The Walsh New England team participated in a community service event, volunteering to clean up the Neponset River in Boston. Their efforts led to the removal of 29 tires, 3 shopping carts and an entire lawn furniture set.
Gallup, New Mexico - At the San Juan Water Treatment Plant, where Archer Western is delivering two pump stations and pipelines to convey water from the plant to downstream reservoirs and pump stations to supply water to the Navajo Nation.
Dallas, Texas - Excavation and site preparation efforts underway on the new Long-Term Spinal Cord Injury Building at the Dallas VA Medical Center. 
Anchorage, Alaska - Placing Miraculous Medals in the first concrete pour for the FedEx Express Relocation Project at Ted Stevens International Airport.
Denver, Colorado – Walsh Group Safety Leaders attend the 2024 American Society of Safety Professionals Annual Safety Conference + Expo, spending three days exploring the latest technologies, deepening their knowledge, and building relationships among safety personnel from across the country.
Chicago, Illinois - Aerial view of Rosemary Park at Misericordia Heart of Mercy, as Walsh Construction progresses towards completion of 16 single-family style homes with a private drive, lighting, and landscaping.
Chula Vista, California - Placing Miraculous Medals in the first concrete pour for soundwall CIDH piles along the I-805 Widening Project.
Long Beach, California - Our Southern California Water Teams partnered with Long Beach Rescue Mission & Foundation to sponsor their annual Backpack Drive ahead of the new school year. More than 450 backpacks and school supplies were collected for homeless children residing at the Mission and for underprivileged children in their community.
Lacey, Washington - Walsh Construction was proud to sponsor the Mike Sheeran Memorial Golf Tournament, a day dedicated to remembering our incredible Walsh coworker and friend. Proceeds from the tournament went to helping support college funds for the Sheeran family.
Santa Ana, California - Walsh Construction's demolition crew at OC Streetcar celebrates completion of all demolition work on the project.
McKinney, Texas - Archer Western completes the first pump station at McKinney Ranch. The pump station consists of four new vertical turbine pumps for a combined output of 18,000 GPM. The project aims to improve various pump, facility and electrical improvements at the McKinney Ranch Pump Station Facility to meet the needs of the growing community.
Chicago, Illinois - Congratulations to Bat Intentions, the 2024 Champions of the Walsh Construction Summer Softball League.
Columbus, Ohio - Taking a look at progress within The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center Inpatient Hospital, plus an upclose look at the masonry and curtainwall.
Concord, California - The Walsh Construction office and Northern California teams were happy to collect 1,188 items to donate to Love A Child Missions, an organization that is providing women and children in the Bay Area with services they need to ease and end their crisis of homelessness and substance abuse. Love-A-Child Missions is one of the largest homeless recovery shelters for women and children in Contra Costa County, serving over 300 women and children annually.
Seattle, Washington - The Walsh Group was proud to be a sponsor of Camp buildHER. The two-day event provided a hands-on approach for girls in grades 7-10 who are interested in construction careers. Special thanks to Walsh operator Brenna Moore who taught and encouraged campers as they were introduced to operating equipment.
Columbus, Ohio - On site at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, where the enabling work which included relocating the existing utilities, such as sanitary and storm sewers, a delicate Communication Duct bank, electric and gas lines, has been completed.
Indianapolis, Indiana - The I-69 Finish Line team celebrates a successful 90-Day Safety Challenge with a team luncheon.
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania - Walsh's Pittsburgh Heavy Highway team held its 12th annual charity golf outing, raising $30,000 for the Emmaus Community of Pittsburgh. The organization provides inclusive, community-based homes and in-home services for people with intellectual disabilities and promoting public awareness of their needs.
Miami, Florida - Archer Western hosts American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) students from Florida International University for a tour of the I-395 Signature Bridge.

Thank You, Interns!

This summer, we were thrilled to welcome more than 200 interns and co-ops across The Walsh Group. Thank you to all who chose to spend these months with us, from the jobsites to the offices. We wish everyone continued success and best of luck as you return to your colleges and universities!