An extensive design-build effort has stabilized Illinois’ last remaining shoreline, which has faced even more damaging impacts of late thanks to storms and record high water levels on Lake Michigan.

One of the primary design constraints was developing a solution to retain beach nourishment sand, which had historically eroded quickly due to the dynamic littoral transport processes along the Lake Michigan shoreline. To address this, the team implemented a multifaceted system of offshore and shore-connected breakwaters, groins and beach nourishment, tailored to the unique conditions of each of the three project areas.