CKL Engineers, LLC

Did you know that Chicago was supposed to have an additional expressway? Named the Crosstown Expressway, or I-494, it was supposed to cut southward through Chicago's North and West sides, connecting the Kennedy (I-90/94) to Midway Airport and the Stevenson (I-55). The plan was cancelled after local resident put up strong opposition to a project that would have torn down several neighborhoods. The $1.9 billion of federal funds allocated to the project were redirected to future transit development, including the Blue Line extension to O'Hare in 1984 and the construction of the Orange Line to Midway in 1993. #CivilEngineering #ChicagoTransit #DidYouKnow

We're hiring! CKL Engineers is seeking experienced and capable staff within civil engineering, AEC marketing, and business development. If you'd like to apply, head to our careers site: https://ow.ly/eWoA50V3SG5 #CivilEngineering #NowHiring #TeamCKL

CKL Engineers provided CEI services for the Chicago Department of Water Management's Grid Main Replacement Program. Our resident engineer oversaw crews installing new ductile iron water mains, valve vaults, performing flush and chlorination activities, and the transferring of water services. Contract administration duties included the tracking of daily quantities, completion of as-builts with budget clarification, and signing street restoration agreements while ensuring the safety of the public and crew alike. #CivilEngineering #WaterManagement #ConstructionManagement #WaterInfrastructure

CKL Engineers provided civil engineering and construction inspection services to support Phase One of the Red and Purple Modernization (RPM) project, an initiative to overhaul Chicago's North Side Main Line and provide faster and more consistent service on three of the CTA's busiest lines - the Red, Purple, and Brown Lines. When completed, the RPM project is set to significantly enhance the transit experience for Chicagoans, providing faster, more reliable service citywide while accommodating future transit-oriented development across Chicago's North Side. #CivilEngineering #ConstructionInspection #ChicagoTransit #EngineeringExcellence

CKL Engineers oversaw CDOT's Arterial Street Resurfacing - North Area project, which tackled 9 miles of the North Side’s busiest streets. Work included milling, structure adjustments, asphalt and concrete patching, asphalt paving, and the removal and installation of ADA ramps, sidewalks, driveways, curbs, and gutters. CKL’s Project Engineer was responsible for being present onsite during construction to ensure that that day’s activities were being completed in accordance with plans and specifications. #CivilEngineering #UrbanDevelopment #InfrastructureDevelopment

Footage from one of our projects: a mesmerizing wide shot of I-294 on a hot summer day. #CivilEngineering #TeamCKL #TrafficFlow Illinois Tollway

On this day 16 years ago, CKL Engineers was founded by Mae Whiteside Williams, PE, MBA. Since that day, we have left a noticeable impact on the communities we serve. We've helped build and maintain your streets, transit lines, toll roads, highways, airport runways, and more. As we enter our 17th year, we strive to bring our engineering excellence to many more projects, every time. Pictured: Mae in early-mid 2011, just a couple of years after our founding, and her in 2017 following CKL's success.

CKL Engineers will be joining the Chicago Dept. Of Procurement Services for their 2025 Construction Summit. We're looking forward to seeing familiar faces and making new connections! For more information, click here: chicago.gov/2025SUMMIT

Before our Sweet 16, we'd like to highlight one of our first projects. In 2012, CKL provided documentation support to a project which extended Chicago's Lake Shore Drive south of 79th Street, providing access to land which will soon host the Illinois Quantum and Microelectronics Park. For more information, check our latest Insight on our website: https://ow.ly/xaFf50Vo4tt #CKLInsights #IllinoisQuantum #CivilEngineering

We decided to kick off our anniversary week with one of our first aviation projects! In 2009, prior to the company's founding, our CEO Mae Whiteside Williams, PE, MBA was a field engineer on the Runway 10L-28R Extension project at O'Hare International Airport with Erosion and Sedimentation Inspection duties. Her part of the project involved geotechnical engineering, grading, erosion control, and the relocation of a central detention basin and pump station. If you're flying eastbound from O'Hare, chances are your plane is right above our work. This project is where the idea of CKL first began.