Stearns School Road Reopens Ahead of Schedule

Update: February 15, 2022

The Stearns School Road Emergency Repair project was selected as the winner of the APWA Chicago Metro Chapter’s Project of the Year Award for Disaster or Emergency Construction / Repair – Less than $5 Million by the American Public Works Association and has received the Metro Chapter’s endorsement for the National Awards competition.

Update: December 28, 2021

The Stearns School Road Emergency Repair project was selected for a 2022 APWA Lake Branch Project of the Year Award for Disaster or Emergency Construction / Repair – Less than $5 Million by the American Public Works Association, Chicago Metropolitan Chapter, Lake Branch. The APWA Public Works Project of the Year Award was established to promote excellence in the management, administration, and implementation of public works projects by recognizing the alliance between the managing agency, consultant, architect, engineer, and contractor who work together to complete public works projects. Projects submitted to the Disaster or Emergency Construction Repair category must highlight the techniques and timing for safety, community relations, environmental protection, adverse conditions, and additional considerations. Congratulations to the Lake County Division of Transportation and the team of consultants, Campanella & Sons, Inc. and Midland Standard Engineering & Testing, Inc. Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick, Inc. (HLR) is honored to have been a part of this team! Awards will be presented at the Lake Branch meeting in January of 2022 and the Stearns School Road Emergency Repair project will be forwarded to the Chicago Metro Chapter to be considered for the Chapter award.

Update: November 23, 2021

The Stearns School Road Emergency Repair project was selected for a 2022 ACEC-Illinois Engineering Excellence Merit Award by the American Council of Engineering Companies of Illinois. The Engineering Excellence Awards Competition recognizes projects of engineering achievement by Illinois consulting engineering firms. Entries are judged on the basis of engineering excellence, the degree to which the client’s needs are met, and the benefits to the public welfare and private practice of engineering. This year, ACEC-Illinois will present 33 awards: 14 Merit Awards, 9 Special Achievement Awards and 10 Honor Awards. 9 projects will receive Judge’s Choice Awards and one Honor Award winner will receive the highest award, the 2021 Lincoln’s Grand Conceptor which will be announced at the Awards Gala in February of 2022. Congratulations to the Lake County Division of Transportation and the team of consultants, Campanella & Sons, Inc. and Midland Standard Engineering & Testing, Inc. Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick, Inc. (HLR) is honored to have been a part of this team!

Before After

Stearns School Road reopened ahead of schedule, following emergency repairs to a culvert causing roadway collapse over Mill Creek near Gurnee, IL.

In March of 2021, the Lake County Division of Transportation (LCDOT) closed a section of Stearns School Road, between Hutchins Road and Hunt Club Road, after discovering that a culvert was failing. The culvert, which enables water to flow under the road, and the roadway collapsed just days after the road was closed.

Stearns School Road is known to be a heavily-traveled road, prompting the Lake County Division of Transportation to expeditiously develop a repair plan and reopen the road. The Lake County Division of Transportation engaged Hampton, Lenzini and Renwick, Inc. (HLR) to provide:

Structural inspection of existing culverts
Wetland delineation and report
Land, route, and stream survey within the project area
Coordination and permitting with Lake County Stormwater Management Commission, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE), and Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Office of Water Resources (IDNR-OWR)
Mill Creek hydraulic model to determine appropriate emergency measure
Preliminary, Pre-Final, and Final Plans for the emergency improvement
Clean Construction and Demolition Debris (CCDD) for contractor disposal

The work involved in the emergency culvert and roadway repairs was expected to take a number of weeks to complete, but the road reopened on Monday, May 24, two weeks ahead of schedule. The second stage of the project, which includes the design and permitting for a new bridge, is currently in progress and expected to begin in 2022, succeeding the completion of the Illinois Tollway’s Stearns School Road Bridge over the Tri-State Tollway (I-94).

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Nick Halan Named 2025 Zweig Rising Star in the AEC Industry

By HLR • May 13, 2025

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 .

Serving Up Smiles: HLR Roadrunners Return for R-Games for Chair-ity

By HLR • April 11, 2025

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.

Airport Road Detention Basin Retrofit Earns APWA Fox Valley Branch 2025 Public Works Project of the Year Award

By HLR • January 9, 2025

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.