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Construction

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Accelerated Construction Technology Transfer Toolkit

Archived: Sample Materials and Forms: Sample Workbook

Construction

Skill Set: Construction.
Acceleration of the construction process can only happen with the cooperation and participation by the contractors performing the work. While contractors are generally willing participants in a partnering process, and are professionally concerned with producing a quality project, it must be recognized that one of their primary goals is to profit financially. Therefore any innovative construction techniques which are suggested must be reasonably constructed, and fiscally viable. Moreover, if financial incentives can be associated with envisioned innovative techniques, there is a greater chance that these techniques will result in shortened construction periods without lessening quality. Proactive contract administration, pre–fabricating and pre–ordering materials, state of the art field work, i.e. surveying, data collection, fast curing concrete, etc. are all ideas that could be explored.

Goals for Skill Set:

  • This is a highly urbanized area. Possible work areas and staging sites will be difficult to identify and should be explored.
  • Work zone safety, pedestrian mobility and safety and motorists' safety must be maintained.
  • Are there new types of construction materials that could be used on this project that would speed construction such as quick setting or pre-cast concrete for drainage structures?
  • Construction management by a private firm that is expert in the field could improve, materials delivery, contract administration and reduce contractor delays. Should this approach be adopted?
  • Utility relocation, specifically PEPCO and Verizon are critical path items for this project. Are there means and methods to improve the efficiency and time frame for their relocation?
  • Maintenance of Traffic is a critical item in this project and will require a minimum of seven stages. Is there any way to reduce the number of stages of MOT while maintaining motorists, pedestrians and others mobility while preserving work zone safety?
  • Much, if not all of the existing at grade intersection will be removed. Are there innovative demolition techniques that could be employed to speed this process?
  • The newly constructed Randolph Road will be depressed beneath the existing grade approximately twenty three feet and will be located approximately twenty six feet above WMATA tunnels. Randolph Road will be carried in a tunnel that will be constructed in multiple stages in the same footprint as the existing intersection. Keeping in mind that WMATA has special requirements for working within the "Zone of Influence," can this be done more efficiently?

Construction (Executive Board Room)
Maurice Agostino, SHA, Office of Bridge Development, Assistant Division Chief
Kevin Nowak, SHA, District 3 Construction, Area Engineer
John Mays, SHA, District 5, Utility Engineer
William Bradley, III, SHA, Office of Construction, Regional Construction Engineer
Chip Lambert, Verizon
Joseph Huerta, FHWA, National Resource Center, Pavement Management Engineer, Facilitator
Bernie Kuta, FHWA, Resource Center, Contract Administration Engineer
Michael Sprinkel, Virginia Transportation Research Council, Associate Director
Matt Harrell, SHA, Office of Highway Development, Transportation Engineer (note taker)

Geotechnical

Skill Set: Geotechnical.
There is a significant amount of excavation that will be performed in connection with this project. Subsurface conditions and innovative techniques, particularly during maintenance of traffic should be explored to expedite construction.

Goals for Skill Set:

  • The finished profile of Randolph Road will be depressed approximately twenty three feet below the existing grade. Attention should be focused on grading requirements within constrained areas and the use of earth retention systems.
  • Extensive Maintenance of Traffic stages will require temporary detour roads to be constructed at various elevations. Can MOT phases be combined? Will there be adequate materials on site for construction of detour lanes?
  • Storm water Management is being provided by using bioretention facilities. Are there any opportunities to expedite this construction?
  • An existing WMATA rail line exists directly beneath the intersection of MD 97 and Randolph Road, approximately fifty feet below. Considerations for WMATA have included the use of spread footers to eliminate concerns with the vibration of pile driving. Examine geotechnical report to explore opportunities during foundation construction.
  • Extensive Pepco and Verizon facilities exist directly beneath the intersection and will be relocated into a newly constructed duct bank infrastructure system beneath Judson and Sheraton Roads. Will subsurface conditions allow expedited construction of the infrastructure system?
  • Groundwater readings were taken at select locations along the depressed roadway. Based on the results of the readings, groundwater does not appear to be a concern, but should a high groundwater table be encountered, what methods of dewatering can be implemented to expedite construction?

Geotechnical (Suite _)
Geoffrey Hall, SHA, Office of Materials and Technology, Division Chief
Kelly Nash, SHA, Office of Bridge Development, Project Manager
Jamie Folden, SHA, District 5 Construction Office, Assistant District Engineer
Silas Nichols, FHWA, National Resource Center, Geotechnical Engineer, Facilitator
Gus Khankarli, Texas Department of Transportation, Design Manager
Sean Johnson, SHA, Office of Highway Development, Transportation Engineer (note taker)

Public Relations

Skill Set: Public Relations / Involvement
In a highly urbanized area such as this one, impacts during construction to the citizenry in the area, the traveling motorists, pedestrians, business owners that utilize the facility for daily deliveries, and emergency service providers cannot be avoided, only minimized. It is critical that effective public relations are provided to assure that these citizens are well informed of construction periods and stages and can make intelligent travel decisions. Businesses may elect to alter delivery times to coincide with certain phases of MOT. Local elected officials will require constant project updates.

Goals for Skill Set:

  • Identify all stakeholders in the project.
  • Bring stakeholders into the project and the process of regional communications.
  • Investigate methods of effective communication to motorists and pedestrians traveling through the area during construction.
  • Investigate the need for a Public Relations Manager on site.
  • How do we secure the acceptance and participation of all stakeholders?
  • How do we collaborate with and manage the information released by the Press?
  • What is the most effective means of informing the local elected officials and their constituents of construction progress and impacts?
  • Develop a plan to engage all stakeholders in the acceleration of construction process and communicate to them the overall benefit. Solicit their assistance.

Public Relations / Involvement (Salon 4)
Valerie Burnette Edgar, SHA, Office of Communications, Director
Dave Buck, SHA, Office of Communications, Division Chief
Kim Tran, SHA, District 5 Traffic Office, Assistant District Engineer
Fran Ward, SHA, District 4 Office, Public Relations Officer
Bob Simpson, Montgomery County Department of Public Works & Transportation
Carin Michael, FHWA, Communications & Marketing Team Leader
Steve Moler, FHWA, Public Affairs Specialist
Mark Ball, Texas Department of Transportation, Public Information Officer, Facilitator
Christina Lavoie, SHA, Office of Highway Development, Transportation Engineer (note taker)

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Updated: 02/27/2019
Federal Highway Administration | 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE | Washington, DC 20590 | 202-366-4000