Stabilizing SR 4: Rebuilding on an Historic Landfill
CVE developed detailed MOT plans in line with ODOT’s Permitted Lane Closure schedule, maintaining at leas one lane in each direction at all times.
CVE is engineering solutions to stabilize settlement, improve safety, and keep traffic moving.
When the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) set out to address the uneven, rolling profile along SR 4 near the Stanley Avenue interchange in Montgomery County, the culprit lay far beneath the surface. Both northbound and southbound lanes of the highway, along with the interchange ramps, was built atop a historical landfill. Overtime, the buried refuse material settled unevenly, causing the pavement to shift and creating a bumpy ride for drivers.
Chagrin Valley Engineering, and our partner firm HDR, stepped in to address the issue. Our work began with an extensive geotechnical investigation, followed by an Alternatives Evaluation Report that explored multiple treatments to address the ongoing settlement. Options ranged from shallow soil injections to rigid inclusions, and from deep soil stabilization to complete undercut and replacement. The solution ultimately chosen was a 3-foot undercut, replacement with on-site materials, and reinforcement using three layers of geogrid to provide strength and stability for the long-term.
The project scope went beyond pavement replacement. Our team also designed improvements to guardrail, lighting, signage, and pavement markings. Because the site was within the limits of a historic landfill, environmental coordination was critical to ensure that excavated hazardous materials were documented, disposed of properly, and managed under a 513 construction permit.
Keeping traffic moving was another key part of the equation. CVE developed detailed MOT plans in line with ODOT’s Permitted Lane Closure schedule, maintaining at least one lane in each direction at all times. Two construction phases, each with carefully designed crossovers, allowed work to proceed efficiently. Ramp closures were limited to scheduled windows, with contractor disincentives for overruns. To enhance safety, CVE incorporated queue warning systems to alert approaching drivers of stopped traffic and reduce the risk of rear-end crashes in the work zone. The project has advanced through ODOT’s staged submittal process without delay, and only minor plan comments received to date.
Two construction phases, each with carefully designed crossovers, allowed work to proceed efficiently.