News & Insights

Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick, Inc. (HLR), in partnership with the City of St. Francisville, is proud to announce that the Wabash Cannonball Overflow Bridge Replacement has received a 2026 Engineering Excellence Special Achievement Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois (ACEC-Illinois) . This recognition honors projects that demonstrate exceptional engineering achievement, innovation, and public benefit, and the Wabash Cannonball Overflow Bridge Replacement stands as a powerful example of how thoughtful design can strengthen infrastructure while protecting sensitive natural environments. Replacing a Critical Lifeline The original bridge, a 1,100-foot timber trestle converted decades ago from a former railroad structure, had reached the end of its service life. Its narrow, one-lane configuration and severe deterioration posed growing safety risks and maintenance challenges for the City. As a vital connector between Illinois and Indiana across the Wabash River floodplain, the bridge plays a critical role in emergency response, commerce, and daily travel for residents and businesses. Recognizing the importance of this crossing, the City partnered with HLR to deliver a long-term solution that balanced structural performance, environmental stewardship, and community needs. Innovative Design in a Sensitive Environment HLR designed a new 1,030-foot precast concrete girder bridge constructed parallel to the existing structure and built in two stages to maintain traffic throughout construction. The new bridge features longer spans and fewer piers, reducing scour risk, debris accumulation, and long-term maintenance demands, key advantages in a dynamic floodplain environment. Precast concrete girders were selected over steel to provide greater durability, corrosion resistance, and life-cycle cost savings for the City, ensuring the bridge will serve the region reliably for generations. Environmental Stewardship as a Core Design Element Environmental coordination was central to the project’s success. Fourteen wetlands were identified within the project area, with impacts minimized to less than half an acre. When no wetland mitigation bank credits were available in the watershed, HLR developed a 5-acre forested mitigation wetland on City-owned land nearby, transforming a regulatory challenge into a lasting environmental asset. The project also required careful protection of threatened species, including the state-endangered bloodleaf and the eastern ribbon snake. Close coordination with the Illinois Department of Natural Resources, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, and other agencies ensured full compliance while preserving sensitive habitats. Engineering Ingenuity from Start to Finish Tight environmental constraints and limited site access required creative construction solutions. Concrete piers were placed using the existing bridge as a work platform, minimizing disturbance to surrounding wetlands while maintaining continuous traffic. Despite complex permitting and pandemic-era agency coordination challenges, the project was completed on time and within budget. A Model of Balanced Engineering Excellence The ACEC-Illinois Special Achievement Award recognizes the Wabash Cannonball Overflow Bridge Replacement as a project that goes beyond structural design, demonstrating how engineering can connect communities, protect natural resources, and deliver lasting public value. HLR is proud to have partnered with the City of St. Francisville on a project that r eflects the firm’s commitment to innovative design, environmental responsibility, and resilient infrastructure .

Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick, Inc. (HLR), in partnership with the Village of Elk Grove Village, is proud to announce that the Elk Grove Business Park Drainage Management project has earned two industry awards in 2026 , recognizing its innovative approach to public works management, environmental restoration, and stakeholder engagement. The project received a 2026 Engineering Excellence Special Achievement Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois (ACEC-Illinois) and a 2026 Public Works Project of the Year Award in the Management Innovation category from the American Public Works Association (APWA) Chicago Metro Chapter – Suburban Branch . Reimagining Drainage Management at an Unprecedented Scale Elk Grove Village is home to one of the nation’s largest contiguous business and technology parks, serving more than 5,600 businesses and over 100,000 daily commuters. Maintaining the park’s 30 miles of open-channel drainage ditches, many located on private property, has long posed logistical, environmental, and communication challenges. When the Village partnered with HLR in 2024 to relaunch the drainage management program, the goal extended beyond infrastructure maintenance. The mission was clear: deliver effective stormwater management while building trust with hundreds of adjacent businesses, without disrupting daily operations. Engineering Transparency Through Innovation HLR responded by designing a first-of-its-kind, GIS-based public engagement and management platform. Using ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Field Maps, and customized ArcGIS Dashboards, the team created a real-time digital ecosystem connecting Village staff, contractors, and the business community through a single, transparent source of information. Three tailored dashboards, serving Village staff, contractors, and businesses, allowed users to track work locations, view progress, receive updates, and submit concerns in real time. This innovative approach transformed routine maintenance data into a powerful communication tool, replacing years of fragmented outreach with clarity, responsiveness, and accountability. Delivering Results Without Disruption The program delivered measurable results. During the 2024 season, crews completed four invasive species herbicide treatments across the entire system, totaling approximately 120 miles of maintenance activity. More than seven miles of ditches underwent woody vegetation removal, followed by the installation of 2,650 pounds of native seed to improve drainage performance, stabilize soils, and enhance ecological resilience. Equally important, the project was complet ed on time and within budget, with no reported business shutdowns or operational delays; a critical success factor within one of the country’s busiest industrial corridors. A Model for the Future of Public Works The dual recognition from ACEC-Illinois and APWA highlights the project’s success in redefining how complex public works programs are managed and communicated. By engineering transparency alongside infrastructure, HLR and the Village of Elk Grove Village set a new standard for stormwater management, public engagement, and municipal partnership. As the program continues throug h 2026, the Elk Grove Business Park Drainage Management project stands as a replicable model for municipalities nationwide, demonstrating that in novation, environmental stewardship, and trust-building can work hand in hand. We look forward to celebrating these achievements with the Village of Elk Grove Village at the upcoming ACEC-Illinois Engineering Excellence Awards Gala and the APWA Chicago Metro – Suburban Branch Awards Luncheon.

Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick, Inc. (HLR) was proud to once again take part in the School District U-46 Explore event at NOW Arena in Hoffman Estates on October 1–2. This annual career and curriculum expo gives students an early look at a wide range of professions—from engineering and manufacturing to healthcare, information technology, business, and more—and our team was thrilled to help bring those possibilities to life. Hosted by School District U-46 in partnership with the Alignment Collaborative for Education , the Explore event welcomes more than 2,500 eighth-grade students from eight local middle schools. Through interactive exhibits and demonstrations, students get hands-on exposure to career pathways that match their interests and skills. The Alignment Collaborative, a local nonprofit, plays a key role in connecting community partners and supporting the district’s educational initiatives. Before attending, students use SchooLinks—a digital college and career planning platform—to identify the pathways that align with their personal strengths. With guidance from counselors, they select specific areas to focus on during the event, ensuring each student’s experience is both intentional and engaging. Representing the Manufacturing, Engineering, Technology, and Trades pathway, HLR joined more than 60 local businesses, industries, government agencies, and nonprofits. Our booth featured a crowd favorite—the augmented reality (AR) sandbox. This interactive 3D tool lets students shape and mold the sand to create their own topographic maps, which are instantly projected in vivid color. When they simulate rainfall, they can watch how water flows through the elevations they’ve built—making concepts like mapping, topography, and watershed behavior come alive. The HLR team had a great time sharing our passion for engineering and connecting with students, parents, and U-46 staff throughout the event. We’re grateful for opportunities like Explore that help young minds see how creativity, technology, and problem-solving come together in engineering—and we look forward to inspiring even more future engineers in the years to come.

We are proud to recognize Addison Ridgely , daughter of Vice President Austin Ridgely , as the recipient of this year’s HLR Scholarship! Addison recently graduate d from Richland County High School with outstanding achievements. She earned the distinction of valedictorian, was named an Illinois State Scholar, and received the College Board National Rural & Small Town Award. Throughout all four years, she maintained the highest academic honors, a testament to her dedication and hard work. In addition to her academic excellence, Addison was deeply involved in extracurricular activities. She participated in ILMEA, Tri-M, Scholar Bowl, and student council, while also sharing her musical talents through marching band, pep band, jazz band, and honors wind ensemble. Outside of school, she demonstrated her versatility by competing in taekwondo and on the swim team. Her wide range of hobbies includes 3D modeling and printing, sewing, reading, cooking, botany, and snow skiing. This fall, Addison will take the next step in her academic journey by pursuing a degree in biomedical engineering at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology in Terre Haute, Indiana. Reflecting on this milestone, Addison shared: “I am very thankful for the role modeling I have received and feel blessed that my family has encouraged me to work hard, have fun, and give back. There is no doubt these words will live within me for the rest of my life and for that I am thankful.” Please join us in congratulating Addison on her many accomplishments. We are excited to see all that she will achieve in the years ahead!

PSMJ Resources, Inc., the global leader in business management data and guidance for architects and engineers, has named Hampton Lenzini and Renwick, Inc. (HLR) 2025 AEC Employer of Choice®, the industry’s premier recognition of firms that have mastered workforce retention and productivity by achieving the highest le

We’re excited to share that HLR’s own Nick Halan, PE, PTOE, Project Engineer, has been named a 2025 Rising Star in the AEC Industry by Zweig Group —a national recognition that celebrates emerging leaders who are making a lasting impact in the architecture, engineering, and construction industry. This award honors professionals who demonstrate exceptional technical expertise, leadership, community involvement, and a forward-thinking approach to the future of our industry—and Nick checks all those boxes and more. At HLR, Nick leads with innovation and purpose. His work spans traffic studies, signal design, and Signal Coordination and Timing (SCAT) plans, as well as advancing our Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) design capabilities. He’s also been instrumental in sustainability efforts at HLR, including the implementation of an EV charging station and solar panels at our former headquarters—now home to our survey and environmental garage/office—initiatives that helped HLR earn a 2024 Engineering Excellence Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois. But it’s not just what Nick does—it’s how he does it. He’s a founding member of both HLR’s Young Professionals Group and the Young Professionals Group at the Elgin Area Chamber of Commerce, a mentor to interns, an advocate for STEM outreach, and a dedicated volunteer in the local community. Whether he’s mentoring scouts on their path to Eagle rank or inspiring students at a career expo with his interactive augmented reality sandbox, Nick is all in—investing in people, education, and the future of our industry. Nick also plays a strategic role in shaping the future of HLR by bringing insight and energy to key initiatives and conversations that move our company forward. Please join us in congratulating Nick on this well-deserved recognition. We’re proud to work alongside emerging leaders like him who are not only shaping infrastructure—but shaping what it means to lead. Read more about Nick in his profile on Civil + Structural Engineer Media — click here .

The HLR Roadrunners were back in action on April 10, taking part in the 14th Annual R-Games for Chair-ity hosted by Rieke Interiors at their Elgin headquarters. This spirited event transforms traditional volleyball into a seated showdown, all in support of a great cause— Easterseals DuPage & Fox Valley’s Positioning and Mobility Clinic . The clinic plays a critical role in helping children with disabilities gain greater independence through customized mobility solutions and adaptive equipment. The games were filled with energy, teamwork, and more than a few impressive chair maneuvers. While the trophy slipped through our fingers this time, the real win was contributing to a mission that changes lives. We’re grateful to Rieke Interiors for bringing the community together once again for a fun-filled day of friendly competition and charitable giving. Check them out at www.rieke.com —a 100% women-owned company designing spaces that inspire connection and creativity.

Hampton, Lenzini, and Renwick, Inc. (HLR) is proud to announce that the City of Elgin's Airport Road Detention Basin Retrofit project has been recognized with a 2025 Public Works Project of the Year Award by the American Public Works Association (APWA) Fox Valley Branch. This award celebrates excellence in the management, administration, and implementation of public works projects by recognizing the alliance between the managing agency, the engineer, and the contractor who work together to complete public works projects. The project, completed in partnership with the City of Elgin and contractor Martam Construction, Inc., transformed an outdated, concrete-lined detention basin into a naturalized stormwater facility that enhances water quality and supports ecological health. Innovative Green Infrastructure Historically, untreated stormwater runoff from the basin could carry pollutants directly into the Fox River, contributing to water quality challenges. The retrofit replaced the concrete channel with a meandering flow path and native vegetation designed to slow water flow, filter pollutants, and provide habitat for local wildlife. Additional features, such as sedimentation zones and a plunge pool, further optimize pollutant capture and water quality. Sustainability and Climate Resilience The project introduced over 60 species of drought- and flood-resistant native plants, creating a resilient ecosystem capable of withstanding extreme weather conditions and minimizing long-term maintenance. These improvements align with the City of Elgin’s Municipal Separate Storm Sewer System (MS4) permit goals, demonstrating a forward-thinking approach to sustainable stormwater management. Collaboration, Success, and Community Benefits HLR worked closely with the City of Elgin and Martam Construction, Inc. to design, permit, and construct the retrofit. Rigorous planning and commitment to sustainability ensured the project’s success. The reconstructed basin has become a valuable asset for the local community, offering enhanced aesthetics, opportunities for wildlife observation, and the beauty of dynamic seasonal changes in the plant communities. Adjacent stakeholders have praised the project for its environmental stewardship, particularly with the removal of dense brush that previously limited visibility. The Airport Road Detention Basin Retrofit showcases how public works projects can address immediate environmental needs while preparing for future climate challenges. HLR is honored to have collaborated with the City of Elgin to deliver a solution that improves the detention basin, supports biodiversity, and benefits the community for years to come. The award will be officially presented during the 2025 Fox Valley Branch Awards Luncheon on Tuesday, February 11, 2025, at the Bartlett Hills Golf Club & Banquets in Bartlett, IL.