Multi-Type Earth Retaining Systems for Urban Interstate Highway

The reconstruction of Interstate Highway 74 (I-74) in Peoria and Tazewell County, Illinois will upgrade the geometric features of the roadway, improve the operational efficiency and increase safety. The proposed improvement poses unique design problems including widening from four to six lanes within the constricted City of Peoria Business District. This paper describes the retaining wall systems used to accommodate the proposed widening, the methodology for selection of wall types, and procedures employed for the wall designs. Details of the proposed wall construction are presented to illustrate the wall designs for differing soil conditions, restricted right-of-ways, and variable heights of roadway fills and cuts.