Frankfort Board Awards $551,755 in Engineering Contracts for Aberdeen Bridge Replacement

Frankfort Village Board Meeting | March 16, 2026

Article Summary: Following emergency shoring improvements, the Village Board approved structural and design engineering contracts to fully replace the Aberdeen Bridge over Hickory Creek in the Prestwick Subdivision.

Aberdeen Bridge Replacement Key Points:

• HW Lochner, Inc. was awarded a $400,755.00 contract for structural engineering services.

• Robinson Engineering, Ltd. was awarded a $151,000.00 contract for design and coordination services.

• The bridge recently required temporary emergency shoring and needs full replacement in the next two to three years.

The Frankfort Village Board on Monday, March 16, 2026, approved two professional engineering services agreements totaling $551,755.00 to guide the upcoming replacement of the Aberdeen Bridge over Hickory Creek.

The bridge, located within the Prestwick Subdivision, recently underwent temporary emergency shoring to keep it open to traffic. However, the temporary nature of those repairs means the entire structure must be replaced in the next two to three years.

To expedite the project, the Village split the engineering duties into two components. HW Lochner, Inc. was awarded a $400,755.00 contract to handle the structural engineering of the replacement bridge itself. Their scope includes preparing an Abbreviated Bridge Condition Report (ABCR) and delivering full Plans, Specifications, and Estimates (PS&E) for the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT).

Robinson Engineering, Ltd. was awarded a $151,000.00 contract to oversee the civil and design engineering. Robinson’s scope includes hydraulic modeling to ensure the new bridge meets floodway construction standards, roadway approach design, maintenance of traffic plans, and coordination with subconsultants for required wetland and geotechnical services.

According to a village memo, design engineering work is anticipated to begin immediately, with bidding targeted for late 2026 or early 2027. Construction is expected to commence in 2027. The Village plans to utilize Motor Fuel Tax (MFT) funds to support the project, with the total estimated bridge cost reaching approximately $3.5 million.

The contracts were approved unanimously as part of the Village Board’s consent agenda.