Chicago Cut Concrete Cutting relies on teamwork to deliver successful I-90 project
If you have ever visited Chicago, chances are you’ve driven on Interstate 90. It is a major thoroughfare through the city and of course that means any road/bridge repairs, let alone restorations, require advanced planning, teamwork and the right equipment to keep everything on schedule.
Currently a large stretch of the I-90, from Chicago to Rockford, is undergoing a major renovation project entailing the removal of lanes to be replaced by wider, concrete ones.
Chicago Cut Concrete Cutting, based in Schaumberg, Illinois, is responsible for the demolition slab sawing of the old concrete lanes, and then green sawing the new concrete. Green sawing means cutting within the first hour or two after finishing the new concrete to control shrinkage and cracking.
Tight deadlines
Over 24 km of roadway, including five bridges, needed to be demolished and green cut. With such a large project and tight deadlines Tiffany Phillips, President of Chicago Cut Concrete Cutting, knew her team had to not only rely on the efficiency of the equipment, but also how well the operator and equipment worked as a team.
“From our inception we’ve partnered with Husqvarna Construction Products because we wanted to use the best saws. Husqvarna’s products are efficient and when paired with our operators, we knew we would stay on track with this project,” said Phillips.
For the removal of the old concrete lanes, Chicago Cut Concrete Cutting chose Husqvarna’s FS 8400 D, FS 6600 D and the new Tier 4 compliant FS 7000 D floor saws. The saws are renowned for their high production rates and ergonomics that help keep operators doing what they do best – cutting 28 cm deep in rebar-loaded concrete. For green sawing, Husqvarna Soff-Cut 5000 Ultra Early Entry™ saws were used due to their ability to cut while the concrete is still very green, which enabled the teams to stay on or ahead of schedule.
Long working hours
To meet Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (ISTHA) deadlines, Chicago Cut had to work around the clock, rain or shine and the heavy-duty, high-horsepower floor saws and Soff-Cut saws could handle the rough terrain.
Chicago Cut’s Lead Project Manager, Angelo Salatino, constantly made sure everything was ready for the crews to perform without issues. Having everything needed available, along with the reliable, high performance Husqvarna saws and operator know-how, Chicago Cut stayed on time with deadlines. Salatino himself kept moral going when the operators’ were tired, which is much appreciated when crews are working long hours.
Teamwork has turned a small player into a major force
If it wasn’t for the collaboration between operator and saw, Chicago Cut would not be in line with deadlines on this project.
“The key to any project is teamwork – between our team members and between our operators and their saws. Without each person – Craig Coleman, Travis Jaco, Chris Mann, Bill Petenes, Oscar Martinez, Ben Miller – and machine working together, we wouldn’t be as successful as we’ve become. We’ve gone from a small company to a major force in our market with Husqvarna’s equipment and help along the way and of course, thanks to our team. This is what makes our company great,” said Lead Project Manager Angelo Salatino.
HUSQVARNA FS 7000 D Specs
- Max cutting depth: 411 mm
- Max blade diameter: 1000 mm
- Output power max: 55.4 kW (As rated by the engine manufacture)
- Power to the blade shaft: 50 kW
- Drive motor: Deutz Turbodiesel 2.9 L 4-cylinder
- Emission standard: Tier 4 / Stage IIIB
- Dimensions: (L × W × H) 1961 × 974 × 1499 mm
- Weight: 1032 kg
- Available models: Single speed, 3-speed gearbox, all models can include blade clutch, electronic tracking system on the rear axle (ETRK), 5th wheel, light kit, water pump kit and weight kits
