Projects Archive - McCarthy Improvement Company

Jo Daviess County

Posted on January 16, 2026

The Jo Daviess County Reconstruction Project is a $13.6 million transportation improvement effort that began in early April 2025 and was delivered under a tight schedule through close coordination and phased construction.

The project involved:

Reconstruction of 1.5 miles of US 20, the rebuilding of Barge Terminal Road
Reconstruction of a frontage road connecting to US 20
Addition of a new left-turn lane on eastbound US 20 at Frentress Lake Road

These improvements significantly improved roadway safety and traffic flow in the area.

In collaboration with the Illinois DOT, McCarthy Improvement developed and implemented an alternative traffic control plan that was approved and allowed crews to advance to a subsequent phase more than a month earlier than originally anticipated—helping the project stay on schedule.

Sustainability was also a major focus. Existing concrete pavement was crushed and the asphalt overlay and shoulders were recycled, with materials repurposed as aggregate beneath the new concrete roadway. The project reflects McCarthy Improvement’s commitment to efficient delivery, innovative planning, and long-term infrastructure solutions.

YMCA Camp Abe Lincoln

Posted on December 4, 2025

McCarthy Improvement was proud to support YMCA Camp Abe Lincoln by removing and replacing the front and back concrete stairways, surrounding sidewalks, and the rear patio at the main camp building.

These updates not only improve safety and accessibility for campers, staff, and visitors but also will help preserve the camp’s welcoming environment for years to come. This project reflects our commitment to providing durable, high-quality work that enhances community spaces.

The Bend Repaving

Posted on December 4, 2025

McCarthy Improvement completed enhancements that make The Bend community space even more welcoming. The Bend in East Moline, Illinois, is a mixed-use development that has transformed a former industrial site into a vibrant riverfront destination. The 132-acre complex features luxury apartments, event venues, restaurants, and entertainment options, all overlooking the Mississippi River.

Our team installed a new concrete pad, benches, and sidewalks, along with custom signage fabricated by our sister company Oertel Metal Works and installed by our crews.

It’s always rewarding to contribute to projects that bring people together and create lasting community value!

Centennial Bridge Repair: Davenport Seawall

Posted on July 31, 2024

The Davenport Seawall project was brought about by water runoff issues under the Centennial Bridge, causing erosion at the mortarless stone river wall originally built in the 1930’s, and the adjacent concrete areas. MCI’s bridge repair included removing approximately 20 LF of stone wall, pouring a new base concrete footing, and rebuilding the stone wall.

Approximately 15 LF of concrete river wall that had eroded and broken away were also repaired. To prevent any future water runoff issues, we installed two drains and a pipeline running to the river. Concrete on the river walk was also installed, and custom repairs to the original railing system were made. And that’s not all! MCI’s masonry crew also did additional replacement work to around 60 LF of the top of the stone wall for a final product that will keep the community safe by Davenport’s riverfront for years to come.

Sears Seating Ramp

Posted on June 12, 2024

Our team removed and replaced a concrete ramp as part of the infrastructure improvements for a new shipping and receiving door.

The concrete pavement surrounding the existing ramp was crumbling, cracking, and posed a potential fall hazard while working on the ramp and was becoming unsafe for forklift traffic.

We removed the existing pavement and replaced it with roughly 17 SY of 8” concrete. We formed and poured a retaining wall (max height 8’), 1’x5’x40’ footing, and backfilled with 6” of roadstone. The installation of 40’ of primed guardrail ensured the safety of the workers and the traffic.

Warren County

Posted on May 16, 2024

US Route 67 in Warren County needed a road refresh. The Illinois DOT contracted our experienced team to handle the job.

This project included the resurfacing and rehabilitation of 4.5 miles of existing pavement on US Route 67 in Warren County. Our team carried out adjustments to the vertical curve, widening the shoulders, replacing the guardrails, and extending the culverts. Furthermore, the “Y” intersection at the north end of the project and the horizontal curve on US Route 67 were reconstructed, and Illinois Route 135 now forms a “T” at the new US Route 67 curve. In addition, turn lanes were constructed on both US Route 67 and Illinois Route 135.

This project also entailed the full depth reconstruction of three intersections of US-67 and other county roads. To complete the reconstruction of these intersections while maintaining the flow of US-67 traffic, this work was completed in stages with the use of temporary traffic control signals.

There were 110,703.20 CY of Earth Excavation, 54,000 SY of HMA Surface Removal, and over 13,000 SY of Aggregate Shoulder installed on this project. Additionally, the Illinois DOT had McCarthy Improvement install over 8,000 tons of Rip Rap on this project (which is just under 5,000 tons more than the original contract plan called for. Another item that had the quantity drastically increased was the Heavy-Duty Erosion Control Blanket. Over 32,000 SY were installed by the end of the project, when the original plans only called for 6,005 SY.

During the project, the Illinois DOT included additional work that increased the total contract amount by about one million dollars. The traveling public will benefit from this updated design and its implementation.

Iowa American Water

Posted on February 20, 2024

To accommodate their growth, Iowa American Water relocated their headquarters to the northwest side of Davenport. The project was spearheaded by our sister company, Bush Construction, who subcontracted our McCarthy Improvement team to execute the dirt work, underground utilities, and concrete paving. This turned out to be a financial success for MCI, courtesy of the change orders added by the estimating team and the newly acquired laser screed equipment.

During the project, McCarthy Improvement placed approximately 5,500 linear feet of pipe, including RCP, DIP, Underdrain, Storm, and Sanitary. Additionally, our team paved 29,047 square yards of streets, parking lot, and sidewalks, using an estimated 6,000 cubic yards of concrete.

For over 125 years, McCarthy Improvement has been shaping our community from the ground up. You can check out our other commercial projects here!

Assumption High School Parking Lot

Posted on January 10, 2024

After a state-of-the-art sports complex, Jack and Pat Bush Stadium, was built for St. Ambrose University and Assumption High School, it was time for the attached parking lot to reflect this newness and expansion. McCarthy Improvement laid 9,000 sq ft of new sidewalk and 29,000 sq ft of new concrete road and parking lot surface. A new detention pond including varying types of pipe work will help water drainage.

Did you know? The stadium received its name in honor of former McCarthy-Bush CEO, Jack Bush and his wife, Patricia Bush. For much of their history, the Bush family has been proud supporters and contributors to both Assumption and Saint Ambrose.

Sterling Highway 40

Posted on January 10, 2024

As the second of its kind in Sterling, the highway intersection of Science Ridge Road and Illinois Route 40 was transformed into a roundabout by the McCarthy Improvement team.

This intersection was involved in 20 accidents from 2015 to 2020. In 2021, the IDOT installed rumble strips and converted the intersection to a four-way stop. It was later determined that a roundabout was the best option for the road since its design slows down traffic and reduces the impact of crashes. According to the Illinois DOT, roundabouts can reduce fatal crashes by 90%, and reduce injury crashes by 76%.

Project Details:

Length: 1 mile (lane miles)
5,000 CY of concrete
15,000 TN of rock

A real push for a roundabout came after tragedy struck a Sterling family. Read about how this father was determined to make the intersection safer. Click here to read.

I-74 Landscaping and Bike Path

Posted on May 23, 2023

The Interstate 74 Bridge Landscaping projects were two separate but interconnected projects. Iowa and Illinois each took on one part of the cooperative project, working together with our McCarthy Improvement team to beautify the landscape around the gorgeous new I-74 bridge. The project began after all major work had been completed on the new I-74 Viaduct and ramps. With the old bridge demolished and the new one built, the goal was to make use of the land under the bridge that was unable to grow normal vegetation.

The Iowa Department of Transportation and Illinois Department of Transportation each designed portions of a 4,700-square-yard bike path. It snakes under the bridge through the piers on either side of the river. This links the bike path along the Mississippi River on both the Iowa and Illinois sides to the new bike path on the I-74 bridge. Erosion curbs and 10,000 tons of various colors of decorative rock, limestone flagstone, and boulders were added. Also installed was a decorative access control fence, 1,550 shrubs, 400 trees, and permanent drains throughout this area, making this a beautiful spot for cyclists to ride through.

All this, paired with 4 bio-cells, has taken an area that had drainage issues and no growth and transformed it into an extension of the local bike path network.