Hanson-Wilson Inc. (HWI) provided planning and design engineering services to Ragnar Benson Inc. for the design-build of the Global III Intermodal facility for the Union Pacific Railroad in Rochelle, IL., in an effort to handle the growing rail-truck freight market in the Chicago area. This is an important addition to Chicago area freight, which is the world's third largest handler of international freight after Hong Kong and Singapore. The facility is on the former Chicago & North Western main line and is located about 80 miles west of Chicago. Opening ceremonies were held in August of 2003.

This project represents over a two-year effort by the HWI design team. The project covers 1,200 acres. The first phase of construction included four intermodal ramp tracks, a 13 track switching yard and eight track storage yard, four receiving and departure tracks, an automated gate processing areas, administrative and maintenance facilities, an industrial wastewater treatment plant, and a parking area for 2,200 trailers. The design for a locomotive fueling facility, service facility, and tank farm are completed and ready for the next phase of construction.

HWI provided the civil, structural, architectural, electrical, and mechanical and process designs for the entire facility. Services included a topographic survey, geotechnical investigation, environmental investigation, hydraulic study, stormwater management, grading, paving, site utilities, track design, building design and permitting. A pipe pile-supported, precast concrete railroad bridge was also included in the project.

The stormwater management plan required three detention ponds on site, totaling over 400 acre-feet of detention/retention capacity to mitigate the site runoff impact on the adjacent Kyte River. Design services also include locomotive service facilities, the industrial wastewater treatment facility, underground utility systems and site utilities. HWI also completed the design for the high-mast lighting system and underground power distribution throughout the yard. Construction was done in several phases, with construction beginning in late 2001 and the first phase completed during the second half of 2002.

One of the geotechnical challenges associated with this project was related to the large volume of fill required over about half of the site in an aggressive construction schedule. In-situ soils and fill materials had high moisture contents, which required the use of lime during placement and compaction of fill materials.

Environmental aspects involved permitting for the Clean Water Act Section 404;IDNR, Office of Water Resources; NPDES storm water discharge; industrial wastewater pretreatment and discharge; and fuel storage tanks. HWI also prepared a stormwater pollution prevention plan (SWPPP) and conducted cultural resources surveys. Wetlands investigations resulted in minimal impact and no mitigation was required.

Phase I archaeological investigations were conducted and 10 sites were identified. The investigation resulted in Phase II surveys at two of the original sites and a Phase III recovery of artifacts at one site.