RQAW | DCCM partnered with Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) Crawfordsville District and the Town of Waveland to complete a $6.9 million improvement project along a one-mile stretch of SR 59. This project included full pavement reconstruction through the heart of historic Waveland, along with overlay treatments through surrounding residential areas. The goal was to address the deteriorating roadway, improve drainage, and modernize the corridor while carefully preserving the historical character of this small Indiana town.
SR 59 Project Begin
SR 59 Over Little Racoon Creek
SR 59 Residential Area
SR 59 Pavement Replacement
SR 59 Project End
For years, the downtown area faced significant flooding issues. During heavy rains, water often overflowed the bridge, and the aging infrastructure struggled to manage stormwater. RQAW | DCCM delivered the entire project in-house, with our roadway, bridge, environmental, and hydraulics teams working together to design a complete roadway reconstruction, upgrade stormwater systems, replace sidewalks, and provide new driveways for every homeowner along the corridor. Despite the many needed improvements, we worked within a tight footprint avoiding the need for new right-of-way and respecting the layout of the existing community.
Preserving Waveland's Historic Character: Section 106
One of the unique aspects of this project was its location in a historically significant area. As part of the environmental review, our team of historians identified several important buildings and areas in Waveland that were either listed or eligible to be listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These included the George Seybold House, the Waveland Christian Church, the Waveland Post Office, and the Waveland Commercial Historic District. Due to these findings, we had to be especially careful with our design to ensure we didn’t damage or change anything with historical value. The Waveland Post Office, a mid-century Federal Modernist structure, features distinctive concrete steps that were carefully preserved by adjusting sidewalk designs. In the Commercial Historic District, we worked with design engineers to build a large curb ramp along a nearby side street rather than the main corridor so we could preserve the original limestone steps, tall curbs, and sidewalk grates that give the district its unique charm. These design solutions helped us protect the historic character of Waveland while still moving the project forward.
Community input also played an important role in this project. A public hearing was held early in the process where local residents expressed concerns about the potential impact on their town. We worked closely with both INDOT and local stakeholders to address these concerns, minimize disruption, and ensure the final design reflected the town’s priorities.
The SR 59 project was successfully completed in Fall 2024. RQAW | DCCM is proud to support Indiana’s small towns with thoughtful solutions that honor their unique history while improving everyday life for its residents.
Nicholas Hoevener, PE
Director of Roadway Services
Nicholas has 12+ years of roadway design, structural design, and project management experience. Throughout his career, he has become well-known for handling multiple projects at various complexities. As Director of Roadway Services, Nicholas will ensure excellent customer service and high-quality project delivery as we strive to exceed the expectations of our local clients and continue to grow and expand at the national level. He and his team will strive to deliver cost-effective designs that meet or exceed a client’s expectations.