Collinsville Area Vocational Center

The Collinsville Area Vocational Center (CAVC) is where classroom learning begins to look like a career path. As a cooperative career and technical education program serving students from Collinsville and surrounding high schools, the CAVC connects occupational instruction with hands-on training. The expansion and renovation of the campus, which is located across from Collinsville High School, builds on that mission by creating modern learning environments that can support more students; broaden program offerings; and strengthen the pipeline between high school education and careers in skilled trades, technical fields, healthcare, education, and service industries.

Supporting the district’s expansion and modernization of the CAVC campus, Oates Associates provided civil engineering, surveying, and construction phase services for the new vocational facility and renovations to the existing building, along with structural engineering for a pedestrian tunnel. Civil engineering design shaped the new building site, parking lot, and outdoor storage areas while addressing the infrastructure needed to support the expanded campus. A drainage report guided stormwater improvements, including a detention basin, culverts, and storm sewer design, while water main and sanitary sewer facilities were relocated to accommodate the new building. Oates also evaluated the development’s effect on traffic near Illinois Route 157 and Caseyville Road through a traffic impact study. To create a safe connection between the expanded CAVC campus and the main high school campus, Oates designed a pedestrian tunnel beneath Caseyville Road using a prefabricated box culvert.

The expanded CAVC strengthens a regional resource, giving more students access to hands-on learning, technical training, and employment opportunities. By preparing students for careers in fields that communities rely on, the center helps build a skilled local workforce.