STRUCTURAL ENGINEERING

HLR’s expert structural engineers and designers will work collaboratively with you to plan and guide your project from inception to completion. We strive to create structures that will function long-term and bring value to our clients and their communities.

We have a long history of cost-effective structural engineering and bridge design experience on everything from major IDOT and Illinois Tollway highway projects to municipal roads and streets. We have, in fact, designed more local agency bridges than any other firm in the state of Illinois. Our structural specialists concentrate on the client’s needs to ensure each design is focused on constructibility, safety, and a durable lifespan with minimal maintenance. This means you can have confidence that your project will be done correctly, within your budget, and on schedule.


Our staff is constantly learning about new technology and materials. We stay current with cutting-edge techniques and innovative methods to produce structural solutions that are cost-effective and functional, yet aesthetically-pleasing. Additionally, HLR’s NBIS inspectors perform bridge inspection and load rating evaluation services which help develop a clear picture of the health and function of existing structures, allowing for a more accurate program planning process.

  • STRUCTURAL EVALUATION AND PLANNING

    A comprehensive evaluation comparing the condition and functionality of your structure versus the proposed project requirements is critical to developing the most cost-effective design. We work closely with our clients to ensure we develop repair, rehabilitation, reconstruction, or replacement plans that meet your long-term needs and budget.

  • STRUCTURE DESIGN

    Great designs take into consideration the geometric and structural requirements of the location, constructability, cost, and how the final product will blend with the surrounding environment. Our staff balances all of these factors when developing plans and specifications for your projects.

  • BRIDGE INSPECTIONS

    HLR’s inspection services provide a clear picture of the condition of the structures on your system to meet the Federal National Bridge Inspection Standard requirements and assist in your maintenance and programming decisions. We provide inspections and reports on a wide variety of structure types from culverts to multi-span structures and major structures over the Mississippi, Ohio, Illinois, Wabash, and Fox Rivers.

  • BRIDGE RATING

    Bridge owners need to have confidence in the loads their structures can safely carry. Our staff has analyzed and rated thousands of bridges. Since 2008, we have provided these services to IDOT as well as many other agencies on all levels of structures.

  • ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE DEVELOPMENT

    If a wind or solar power project is being developed in your community, you need to have confidence that your roads and bridges can handle the heavy use these developments can bring. Our structural engineers provide in-depth inspection and structural evaluations of bridges and culverts to be used during the construction of these facilities. Services provided include evaluation of each structure for the load capacity and geometric use by the large vehicles used to deliver and construct the project as well as structure strengthening or replacement as needed.