Aldridge Through the Years…
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Len Aldridge begins to install electrical power into homes, barns , and businesses throughout Nebraska.”
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In 1952, Len founded Aldridge Electric and opens Aldridge’s first office in Lake Forest, IL. He and a local union crew of fewer than a dozen men perform traffic signal installation, street lighting, and industrial projects. Aldridge’s first logo is designed.”
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Len works tirelessly to build a long-lasting reputation for Aldridge. Today, several appreciation letters from original customers are still on display. Throughout the 60’s, Aldridge focuses on and becomes an industry expert in electrical signage and street lighting installation.
1957 - Harvard Community Memorial Hospital
1965 - City of Wheaton, IL
1965 - Commonwealth Edison
1968 - Johnson Motors
1969 - Dixon State University”
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In 1968, after 16 successful years, Aldridge acquires a new larger facility at Lambs Lane in Libertyville, IL.”
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Aldridge performs the groundbreaking underground work and electrical installations at Six Flags Great America.”
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Aldridge installs a high voltage underground system at Great Lakes Naval Base.”
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2nd generation leadership takes over. Ken becomes President and, along with Sue and Warren, assumes responsibility upon the passing of their father.”
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Aldridge plows in 45-miles of communication cable for a SCADA System for the Colorado Bureau of Reclamation.”
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Work is completed on the Clark Street bascule bridge in Chicago, IL.
Did you Know?
This was the first of many complex bridge projects performed over the next 4 decades.”
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Crews perform around-the-clock runway rehabilitation work at O’Hare International Airport.”
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Aldridge completes a design-build project for a $40M state-of-the-art Roquette food processing facility.”
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Aldridge installs innovative lighting to improve perimeter wall security at Stateville Correctional Center in Joliet, IL. Use of a helicopter allowed for installation of all 100-foot light poles in a single day, while eliminating multiple security issues.”
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The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) awards the Electrical Maintenance Contract for District 1 to Aldridge. This is the first of 7 maintenance contracts performed before 2000, totaling nearly $100M.”
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Aldridge is one of the first to perform work for Commonwealth Edison’s (ComEd) Underground Residential Distribution Project (URD).”
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150 miles of fiber optic cable is installed for the City of Chicago’s 911 System Optical Link.
Did you Know?
This made Aldridge the first contractor to install fiber optic cable in the City of Chicago.”
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Aldridge installs underground and station lighting, train traffic signals, and catenary poles along the Dallas Area Rapid Transit (DART) lines in Texas.”
“Aldridge surpasses $50M in revenue and 100 employees.”
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The Aldridge Pipeline is introduced.”
“Project Management Training kick-off”
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Aldridge begins offering drilling services with the purchase of the first Spiradrill.
Did you Know?
Today Aldridge has a fleet that includes 50+ drill rigs.”
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The Chicago Transit Authority (CTA) awards the $13.5M contract for the rebuilding of the Green Line. Aldridge’s work with the CTA totals $80M for the year.”
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Aldridge’s first unmanned toll collection system installation with the Illinois State Toll Highway Authority (ISTHA) is awarded.”
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Aldridge installs 109 miles of fiber optic cable, 320 traffic signal devices, and 54 miles of roadway lighting for this $20M project on Maryland’s iconic Chesapeake Bay Bridge.”
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Aldridge begins what would be more than 15 years and $200M worth of electrical and construction work at Great Lakes Naval Base Training Center.
Did you Know?
Aldridge has been performing maintenance work here since the 50’s and still actively performs work at the Naval Base.”
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Aldridge acts as General Contractor for O’Hare International Airport Runway 9R/27L Rehabilitation.”
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ComEd awards a $12M Underground Residential Distribution (URD) Installation Project to Aldridge.”
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Aldridge is awarded the project to install the 270-mile fiber optic backbone of the Illinois Tollway.”
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Crews begin installing ornamental lighting throughout the City of Chicago.
Did you Know?
Aldridge has also completed electrical scopes of work on major Chicago landmarks including Soldier Field, Millenium Park, Riverwalk, Buckingham Fountain, Maggie Daley Park, and the 606 Trail.”
“Aldridge exceeds $100M in revenue and staff rises above 300 employees.”
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This $18.5M CTA State Street Train Control Installation Project launches Aldridge into the national train control installation arena.”
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Aldridge begins foundation work for wireless communication towers.”
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Aldridge is awarded the CTA Subway Wireless Project, which included the installation of a fiber-based distributed antenna network and radiax cable throughout the 20 miles of the CTA subway system.
Did you Know?
This represents the first-ever multi-carrier, multi-technology wireless coverage in a U.S. mass transit subway system.”
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Aldridge’s work at the Londonderry Cogeneration Facility in New Hampshire is the first major drilling job outside the Midwest.”
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Steve Rivi becomes President while Ken Aldridge transitions into the role of CEO.”
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Phase 1 of Chicago’s Wacker Drive Rehabilitation begins with the installation of decorative street lighting, underpass, kiosk, desk monitoring system, communication, traffic system, and power distribution.
Did you Know?
10 years later, Aldridge played a major role in the $100M Phase 2 Rehabilitation. Our scope of work inclded installing power and lighting to the interchange that connects Wacker Drive to the Eisenhower Expressway.”
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As a ComEd COC, Aldridge was selected to complete emergency restoration work following severe storms.
Did you Know?
Aldridge remains a ComEd Contractor of Choice today.”
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Aldridge University was born. It was created to train employees on management methodologies and procedures.
Did you Know?
Today Aldridge University offers 50+ classes and provides a minimum of 35 hours of annual training to over 100 Project Managers.”
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Work is completed on this $31M rail communication network upgrade that increases reliability of service on 7 CTA rail transit lines.”
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The Illinois Tollway’s “Open Road Program” begins with the award of Intelligent Tolling System (ITS) Dynamic Messaging System installation.
Did you Know?
This was the first ITS project for Aldridge. Since then, we have outfitted more than 1,000 miles of ITS Technology along the Tollway.”
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Aldridge won 2 JV contracts for a light rail project in Charlotte, North Carolina, our first Mid-Atlantic transit project.”
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Aldridge furnished and installed new train control, communications, and traction power systems along ballasted, elevated, and subway sections for this $100M CTA project.”
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Foundation drilling services expand with the acquisition of an East Coast drilling company.”
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This Manistique, MI foundation project, to support the 40-mile 138kV transmission line, included challenges such as drilling through 4,000 cubic yards of rock and creating access to isolated wetland areas.”
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Aldridge completes electrical construction for Takeda Pharmaceutical’s new 360,000 square foot, five-story North American HQ building and secured parking facility.
Did you Know?
This project received a Gold rating under the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design for New Construction (LEED-NC) standard.”
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Headquarters moves to 844 E. Rockland in Libertyville, IL.”
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Aldridge wins award for O’Hare Modernization Program (OMP) relocation of airfield lighting on Runway 14L-27R.”
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Crews perform work on the CTA Red Line Tie Renewal Project utilizing proprietary Aldridge equipment to gain efficiencies.”
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Teams participate in Trench Rescue Training at O’Hare. OMP recognizes Aldridge with a Contractor Safety Award.”
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Aldridge’s first major rapid transit system work outside of the Midwest begins. This New Jersey project includes the replacement of the existing signal system, on a 24/7 active railroad.
Did you Know?
This project was one of the first systems in the U.S. to get the Federal Railroad Association (FRA) approval for meeting the positive train control deadline.”
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Aldridge provides company-owned attenuator trucks for every highway project to protect the workers from live traffic.
Did you Know?
This policy, as well as many other Aldridge safety policies, exceeds OSHA requirements.”
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A multi-year Contractor of Choice (COC) contract for substation work is awarded by a major utility provider.
Did you Know?
Today Aldridge has 15 COC contracts with utilities nationwide.”
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Aldridge completes the installation of a 32,800 solar panel power plant at Exelon City Solar, Chicago, IL.”
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As part of a JV, Aldridge performed under live rail conditions to execute the Central Corridor Light Rail (CCLRT) $95M prime contract in Minneapolis, MN.”
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Aldridge’s work at Beech Ridge Wind Farm in West Virginia includes installation of 67 wind turbines, an underground collection system, substation, and 14 miles of transmission lines.”
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Aldridge completes installation of foundations for a new 180-mile 500kV transmission line that runs from Pennsylvania to Virginia.”
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This $80M foundation project near Salt Lake City, Utah was the largest drilling project in the country at the time, with diameters ranging from 6’-14, and depths reaching 120’.”
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Kicking off the MOVE Illinois program, Aldridge installed fixtures at several test locations to evaluate performance prior to specification.
Did you Know?
Aldridge has completed over 100 projects, valued at $250M in the last 10 years alone for the Illinois Tollway.”
“Aldridge exceeds $250M in revenue and 500 employees.”
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Green Hard Hat Program launches in an effort to provide additional guidance to workers new to the organization.”
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Aldridge performs work for EIMA’s Manhole Inspection Program, a massive project that includes the inspection and/or refurbishment of over 30,000 manholes.”
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Crews work 24/7, utilizing nightly lane closures and specialized proprietary equipment, to complete the CTA Red Line Dan Ryan Project.”
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Line Clearance Permit Policy is established to help protect employees from the hazard of arcing power lines.”
“Aldridge Leadership Program (ALP) Kick-Off
This innovative leadership development program provides hands-on workshops and individualized coaching.”
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Aldridge performs storm restoration in New Jersey for Hurricane Sandy Relief.
Did you Know?
Aldridge recently completed restoration work following Hurricane Michael.”
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Through a strategic acquisition, Aldridge adds fencing, signage, and guardrail services.”
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Aldridge’s Incident & Injury Free (IIF) program is launched.”
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Aldridge performs work on the Kingsland to Hudson 230kV Transmission Line, as part of New Jersey’s Northeast Grid Reliability Project.”
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Agile Project Planning is implemented. This process and project planning methodology brings pre-planning and project scheduling to the forefront of the overall project.”
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Aldridge provides emergency support for a long-time East Coast utility customer who was under a year0end deadline. The team mobilized immediately to a 230kV switchyard outside a nuclear plant.
Did you Know?
This was our entry into providing full substation security enhancements. Since then, we have completed over 100 perimeter protection projects across the country.”
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The Silicon Valley Berryessa Extension, a $160M contract, includes a 10-mile heavy rail extension of BART into Santa Clara Valley in California.”
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3rd generation leadership takes over as Ken Aldridge becomes Chairman of the Board, and Alex and Steve Aldridge become Co-Chief Operating Officers.”
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Aldridge wins prime contract for 10 miles of Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) installation as part of Elgin-O’Hare Western Access Program, the first ever fully cashless tolling system in Illinois.”
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Steve Rivi assumes the position of CEO and Tom McLinden becomes President.”
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Aldridge performs work on the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) Lighting Project. This innovative street lighting project improves the existing systems operability and replaces over 15,000 lights across bridges, tunnels, and roadway within the Detroit Metro Region’s Freeway System with energy-efficient LED lights.
Did you Know?
This project was the first Public-Private Partnership (P3) highway lighting project in the country.”
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Aldridge participates in our first National Safety Week. Construction Safety Week is an initiative to facilitate conversation and thank employees for adhering to their company’s safety culture.”
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The PreFab Shop opens at Aldridge Headquarters. Our prefabrication team is dedicated to enhancing project outcomes to drive better cost, quality, and delivery times.”
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Aldridge begins work on the CTA’s 4G Next Generation Distributed Antenna System (NG-DAS). Scope included seamless integration throughout the 20 tunnel miles of rapid transit subway.”
“Aldridge Ambassador Program Begins
Did you Know?
The Ambassador Program was established to retain the business acumen and construction experience of long-term managers. Each of Aldridge’s Ambassadors has more than 40 years of industry experience.”
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Aldridge was awarded 5 contracts, over 2 phases, for the electrical scope of work on this multi-use NE Cargo Facility at O’Hare International Airport.”
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Using a system of barges and tug boats to haul equipment across the Chicago River into limited access locations, crews completed work on the rehabilitation of Adams Street Bascule Movable Bridge.
Did you Know?
This project won ‘Best Project’ by ENR Midwest.”
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With crews working 10 to 12-hour days, 6 days per week, on a 345kV interconnect substation in under 6 months.
Did you Know?
The wind farm owner selected Aldridge because of our position as a Contractor of Choice (COC) and our expertise and success on substation projects.”
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The Sky Harbor Phoenix Airport Project marked our entry into the civil foundations market. This project included 300+ caissons and 7 micropiles for the new Terminal 3 Expansion.”
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Two Mobile Training Trailers are custom designed to provide onsite training for complicated vault work and safety practices.”
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Aldridge establishes permanent office locations on both coasts.”
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Aldridge enters the gas infrastructure market with the award of a gas riser program.”
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Aldridge begins work on the CTA “Your New Blue” Program. This is a historic $492M modernization project to improve Blue Line Stations, tracks, signals, and power between the downtown Loop and
Chicago O’Hare International Airport.”
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Work begins on a pilot program that involved inspecting over 2,000 manholes in and around high-profile areas that required specialty planning on scheduling.
Did you Know?
Aldridge’s IT Department custom-developed software for data and image collection so the client can access detailed information, real-time, from any location.”
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Foundation work on a T-line in the Florida Everglades means an exciting addition to the Aldridge Fleet. This equipment boasts the largest set of amphibious tracks in existence.”
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Work at Chicago’s Wrigley Plaza is completed. Aldridge was responsible for the vault work that brings permanent power to the facility.”
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Aldridge invests in top-of-the-line safety helmets for all employees to provide enhanced head protection.”
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The final phase of OMP is underway as Aldridge crews make way for the new runways at O’Hare International Airport.”
“Aldridge exceeds $500M in revenue, 1,200 employees, and 2M work hours, with offices coast-to-coast.”