Highway 2 Soldier Pile Retaining Wall

Illinois Route 2 links Oregon and Byron along the Rock River.  For years, the state resisted widening the road because of the tight terrain and steep slopes leading to the river.  The winding 2-lane road was eventually widened but only after an extensive earth retention system was installed for 3500 feet along the highway.  Precast concrete panels were placed between soldier piles.  The deeper piles were embedded in drilled shafts and others were driven.  The new structure of up to 18 feet tall now retains the hills along the road allowing for the widened travel lanes.

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