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Accelerated Construction Technology Transfer Toolkit

Archived: How do I get started?

Sample proposal

Accelerated Construction Technology Transfer (ACTT) Workshop Proposal

IM 15-4(107) 194
Custer Interchange - Helena
CN 5588
Project Work Type - 110 New Construction

For an efficient workshop preparation process and to ensure a successful workshop, please consider the following questions/comments, if you are interested in the program and would like to host a workshop. Please complete this proposal, and submit it through the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) division office in your state.

  1. Selecting the Corridor
    1. Is the corridor (project) a candidate for major construction/reconstruction and/or rehabilitation within the next 4 to 6 years? Yes, this project is currently scheduled for construction in March 2011. This project includes the construction a new interchange at Custer Avenue, including the widening of Custer Avenue to four through lanes between North Montana Ave. and N. Washington Street with median/turn lanes and provisions for bicycles and pedestrians. Construction of two auxiliary lanes (each direction) on I-15 in accordance with the FEIS. Minor realignment of east side Frontage Road at Custer Avenue.
    2. Describe the urgent need to accelerate construction. Consider both the DOT and customer perspective. There is an urgent need to accelerate construction due to the overall anticipated project duration, traffic impacts and safety of the traveling public. From the DepartmentÕs perspective, the Custer Avenue interchange will provide access to existing and projected land use north of the Capitol and Cedar interchanges. The construction of a Custer Avenue interchange would also result in a capacity improvement to Custer Avenue between N. Montana Avenue and N. Washington Street, which would improve east-west traffic flow. From the customerÕs perspective, safety on the new facility needs to be improved along with improving east-west travel for all modes of travel, improve emergency service access, improve pedestrian and bicycle facilities, improve safety and operational efficiency of I-15, interchanges and roadways crossing I-15. Long-term construction is undesirable as it may affect numerous businesses, commuters, emergency responders.
    3. What's the status of the environmental process? Currently, the Department has a completed EIS and ROD signed 1/22/2004.
    4. Are the project limits or boundaries still fluid? Yes, the limits of the project can be still be adjusted at this time.
    5. Is there general openness to innovation and a willingness to consider and apply new concepts? Yes, any innovative ideas generated will be given thorough consideration.
  2. Setting Corridor Goals and Scope
    1. Identify the overall corridor goals, objectives, urgency, needs, etc. Goals should be clear, bold, and attainable.
      • Deliver the projects with the least amount of inconvenience to the customers at a reasonable cost through innovation in design, letting and construction methods.
      • Replace deficient structures and provide the required vertical clearance.
      • Construct the project with the least possible interruption to businesses, commuters, residents and events.
      • Reduce the impact to traffic.
      • Minimize overall construction time.
      • Reduce economic impact to adjacent businesses
      • Minimize road user costs
      • Innovative Financing
    2. Determine the specific customers - public, abutters, etc., and their expectations.
      • General Public: Minimize impact to traffic, keep the public informed of the project status, minimize duration
      • Local Traffic: Knowledge of local detours and up to date information, minimize impacts to their travel, minimize duration
      • Commuters: Know how the construction will impact their commute, minimize impacts to their travel
      • Emergency Responders: Know how the construction will impact their access routes during response
      • Through Travelers: Know how the construction will impact their travel
    3. Describe how this corridor (project) would be built in "normal" circumstances. Construction will be completed in two phases. The first phase will include utility relocations, Frontage Road realignment, widening and resurfacing of Cedar Street, and reconstruction of Custer Avenue between Montana Avenue and (proposed) Sanders Street. Cedar Street and Montana Avenue will be used as the detour while the second phase is completed.

      During the second phase, Custer Avenue will be closed to vehicular and pedestrian traffic from (proposed) Sanders Street to the Frontage Road/Washington Street intersection. The second phase will include removal of the existing Custer Avenue bridge over the interstate, construction of the Custer Avenue interchange (approaches, ramps, new bridge, etc.), reconstruction of Custer Avenue from (proposed) Sanders Street to the east project limits, and any modifications to the Interstate indicated by the project Traffic Study.

    4. Determine potential impact on traveling public, business, development work, etc., under "normal" circumstances. (Includes "normal" lane shutdowns, delays, etc., for the years the project would be under construction) The minimum estimate of time to construct this corridor under normal circumstances is 3-4 years. A Traffic Control Plan for all phases of construction will be developed in accordance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices as the design proceeds.

      During the first phase of construction as described above, it is anticipated that lane closures will be used. During the second phase of construction, all traffic on Custer Avenue will be detoured onto Washington Street / Cedar Avenue / Montana Avenue. Traffic operations on Montana Avenue during implementation of the project detour will be addressed in detail with the project Traffic Control Plan.

      It is anticipated that work on the Custer Avenue bridge structure will require lane closures on I-15. Work on the new interchange ramps and auxiliary lanes is expected to require a median crossover.

    5. Develop preliminary corridor goals for the workshop. Preliminary goals are very broad at this stage (challenges to the teams), and will be revisited later. Goals should address:
      • Year to begin and/or end construction? Construction is currently scheduled to begin in March 2011
      • Years to construct (3 years vs. 6)? 2 years is desirable versus the anticipated 3-4 years +. Minimize total closure of the facility.
      • Reduced consultant contracts? No, Design is being performed by a consultant.
      • Reduced construction contracts? Yes, Some phased construction is expected.
      • Traffic flow (45 mph vs. 3 lane minimum) Existing two-lane, is to replace with the widened configuration, with safety improvements
      • Major events will not be impacted? Major events will be impacted by this construction. The Department desires to minimize the impacts as much as possible.
    6. Describe the commitment from the DOT senior management. For this process to be successful, it is imperative that top management be fully engaged.

      Top management has committed to this workshop and serious consideration of ideas that may be developed in order to accelerate the design and construction of the corridor. A consultant is currently responsible for the design on this project and will be available as a resource for the workshop. Montana DOT has available staff members to participate on the state team skill set groups.

  3. Assembling the National and State Teams - the Skill Sets.
    1. Determine the critical skill sets that should be included to participate in the ACTT workshop to brainstorm design and construction aspects of the project.

      Proposed Skill Sets include:

      • Structures: Innovation in design and construction techniques (fast paced, pre cast construction etc.)
      • Innovative Contracting: Methods to reduce design and construction time
      • Traffic/ITS/Safety: Traffic flow routing experts (alternate routes for closures) Smart Work Zones
      • Public Relations: Information experts to promote the project to the public up front and during construction
      • Construction: Innovation in construction techniques (fast paced, pre cast construction, etc.)
      • Innovative Financing
      • Right-of-Way/Utilities/Railroads
      • Roadway/Geometric Traffic Design
      • Geotechnical/Materials
      • Project Management
      • Scheduling
    2. Propose the number of individuals to serve in each skill set. Generally, each skill set will have 2 to 3 national experts teaming with 2 to 3 state and local participants, including private sector members as appropriate. Depending on the scope of the project, certain skill sets may be larger than others and/or certain skill sets may not be necessary.
      • We would expect to have 4 to 6 in each skill set
    3. Identify the role local industry may play in the workshop. Prudence should be exercised in the invitation process, since these types of major projects have sensitive issues associated with them.
      • Community Advisory Committee
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Updated: 02/27/2019
Federal Highway Administration | 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE | Washington, DC 20590 | 202-366-4000