The demolition and replacement of existing bridge decking and railings were critical safety improvements needed for the Dalles Bridge, an important transportation connection for the Pacific Northwest. While utilizing accelerated bridge construction techniques, a unique hybrid management system embedded the Otak construction management and structural engineering teams into the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) offices to efficiently complete these updates.
Accelerated Bridge Construction to Update an Important Regional Transportation Connection
Originally constructed in 1953, the deck of the steel-truss-cantilever Dalles Bridge on U.S. 197 had degraded to the point of needing to be replaced. As an important connection between Washington and Oregon over the Colombia River, it’s an extremely visible and important project to keep goods and services moving in the region. To maintain traffic as much as possible during construction, an accelerated bridge construction approach avoided long-term closure of the busy bridge. Decking was pre-cast in an adjacent staging area, then moved to the bridge and installed per section as the old decking was cut, raised, and hauled away. Significant technological material improvements made use of ultra-high performance concrete and premixed polymer concrete overlay to complete the project. The final configuration also increased sidewalk widths to adhere with ADA compliance along the approach structure. In managing the project to completion the team performed RFI and submittal review while running weekly meetings. Inspections at two sites (in the casting yard and on the bridge) were completed while reviewing labor compliance, and performing detailed review of the project master schedule.
The Sound Transit East Link Extension travels from Seattle’s International District to Judkins Park, providing an east-west connection between the city and the Eastside’s largest population and employment centers. In leading project controls, Otak managed program elements from start to finish, including design-build procurement, schedule analysis, and risk management to deliver this vital transportation asset.
Streamlining Project Programs for a Vital Community Connection
Crossing I-90 to Mercer Island and into downtown Bellevue, the East Link Extension passes through the Bel-Red area, en route to the Redmond Technology Station, and ultimately downtown Redmond. The rail provides improved connectivity between the area’s largest population and employment centers. It includes 12 stations, four parking garages, tunnels in downtown Bellevue, Mercer Island, and Seattle, and long-span bridges crossing over I-405 and I-90. The project controls group has led every contract package in the East Link alignment. This included developing a fast-start team and supporting its growth, systems, and planning, taking the consultant team from three to 150.
The SR520 Program involved three major design-build projects including a pontoon fabrication contract valued at over $300M, bridge replacement and HOV project at over $800M and highway expansion project at over $350M. Work included three major bus transit stations, signalization, communications, maintenance base and toll systems.
Complete Support for Large Transportation Program Goals
In accordance with WSDOT manuals and guidance documents, the SR520 design build program totaled $4.6B and required significant advising, business and construction support. Otak worked with all partners in developing, implementing and executing initiatives, plans and support for permitting, design and construction delivery. The firm provided eight full time staff in roles ranging from inspection, scheduling and program management to claims, compliance and progress reporting. This included responsibility for all weekly, monthly, and quarterly reporting related to program delivery, finance and executive briefings.
In widening ground transportation access to the airport from four to six lanes, the arrivals road project for the Port of Seattle provides additional capacity and improves safety.
Air Cargo Road Safety Improvements and Arrivals Road Widening
Updates to air cargo road improved intersection operations, accommodated nonmotorized travel, improved employee parking and transit bus stops, upgraded the cell phone parking lot, and completed illumination signage and landscaping. Otak provided a part-time project manager to oversee this large civil infrastructure project at Sea-Tac Airport.
The City of Louisville faced a major challenge in improving South Boulder Road At-Grade crossings to ensure pedestrian safety while also managing federal requirements and associated documentation. Improvements at 5 different intersections involved the installation of pedestrian signals and would all be completed in accordance with CDOT local agency requirements.
Managing a Federally-Funded Project for Pedestrian Safety Improvements
Improvements to South Boulder Road addressed critical issues such as tie-in elevations at each intersection, and updated 30 plus year old traffic signal equipment with new high-intensity activated crosswalk (HAWK) systems while ensuring 13 ADA ramps meet all requirements. As a federally-funded, CDOT agency project, the project involved significant documentation. In close collaboration between all stakeholders, the Otak team led construction management, inspection, and materials testing services. Issues with tie-in elevations of the existing asphalt and the new asphalt were quickly resolved with field adjustments derived from a deep understanding of design concepts which ultimately led to 3% savings on the overall bid.
The reconstruction of a 3,700-foot segment of pedestrian path of Cottontail Trail in Boulder Open Space and Mountain Parks improved its longevity. Over a three month duration, Otak played a critical role in evaluating the existing trail and building a team to successfully complete improvements that make the park more sustainable and ADA accessible.
Trail Improvements Add Durability and Accessibility
Cottontail Trail was realigned steep sections to meet ADA grade requirements and ditches for improved drainage. The design also replaced an existing turnpike section to eliminate its need for constant repairs which included an armored ford consisting of a concrete tread section with 24-inch culvert pipes. Colored concrete with exposed aggregate finish was selected to provide a durable, low-maintenance surface that blends well with the rustic rural character of the area. Otak was responsible for ensuring that the work was done right and on schedule despite numerous changes, acting as the eyes and ears for the owner throughout the construction process.
In addressing the gap in diverse and accessible education opportunities for youth faced by many rural areas, the Nestucca Valley High School Career Technical Education (CTE) Center was developed as part of a school bond program for the communities of Coastal Oregon. With a full complement of owner’s representative services, Otak led all aspects of project management from design to construction management in delivering this catalyst for real-world skill development to benefit the entire county of Tillamook, OR, for years to come.
Managing Development of a Flexible and Adaptable Education Facility to Benefit a County’s Communities
With forward-thinking goals around flexibility and adaptability, the design prioritized an expandable and flexible approach to be able to adapt quickly to industry-driven changes in the CTE program. Set behind the existing high school building for easy student and instructor access, a pre-engineered metal building (PEMB) was erected with a smaller “building within a building” constructed with a wood-framed second story inside the metal shell. Much more than a standard metal building, the facility features a custom wood-framed interior and an exterior with metal panels running horizontally rather than the standard vertical orientation while matching the adjacent high school’s colors. Overcoming a challenging site site with steep slopes, the hillside design also includes a private reservoir, filled by an artesian well, as a sustaining water supply system. By providing practical, hands-on learning experience for a variety of professional pathways while promoting an equitable and entrepreneurial culture, the Nestucca CTE Center aims to provide long-lasting benefits for its surrounding communities.
Bringing the Salmon Run Bell Tower back to life, a variety of critical repairs and upgrades were made to the historic structure while also restoring its water feature and surrounding art piece. The Otak team, providing construction management and inspection, worked closely with the City of Vancouver to oversee daily contractor operations as well as constructability and document review through project closeout to make this restoration a reality.
Overseeing the Restoration of a Historic Structure and Unique Features
Found in Esther Short Park–established in 1853, making it Washington State’s oldest public park–the Salmon Run Bell Tower was originally constructed in 2002 as part of an effort to revitalize the area for the community. The 60-foot tall structure was designed with features intended to honor the region’s indigenous people and connection with the Columbia River. The tower’s Glockenspiel consists of 25 cast bronze bells, each weighing between 20 and 400 pounds, using by individual strike mechanisms. It also includes four, six-foot tower clocks, along with a rotating diorama that highlights the story of Chinook salmon. A water feature includes a waterfall that cascades down a path of boulders, providing climbing and seating options for visitors of all ages. Over time, a combination of highly-chlorinated water and aging building components had left the water feature inoperable and the steel structure corroded. By shifting the construction area across different phases of the project, public safety was ensured while minimizing impact to park access. Along with restoring the original bronze art, structural steel repairs, upgrades to the pump house, and improved waterproofing all combined to bring the complete landmark back to working order for the first time in over a decade.
Centered around a new multi-use path and reconstructed parking space, the City of Lafayette sought to make multi-modal improvements along South Boulder Road from Malory Street to 120th Street and on 120th Street from Eastwind Drive to Coal Creek. The Otak construction management & inspection team would keep the project to specifications and on-schedule.
Efficient Construction of Multi-Modal Improvements
Working with the Boulder County Transportation Department and the Colorado Department of Transportation, South Boulder Road would be widened with two thru-lanes; a center turn lanes; and bike lanes. The 10-foot wide concrete multi-use path runs along Merlin Drive from South Boulder Road up to the Alicia Sanchez Elementary School, and along Front Range Drive from South Boulder Road to the Lafayette Park-n-Ride. The path is accompanied by at 6-foot wide sidewalk as well as the reconstruction of the Lamont parking lot that expands parking space while also adding additional green space. A new signalized intersection at South Boulder Road and 120th Street aimed to improve traffic with turn lanes on the north, south and west legs and a dual left-turn lane for traffic traveling eastbound on South Boulder Road and turning left onto 120th Street. An existing ditch alongside 120th Street would be piped and a new storm sewer installed.
With approximately 96,000 feet of 36-inch diameter and 14,000 feet of 32-inch diameter raw water transmission pipeline, Southern Water Supply construction also required appurtenances running from Carter Lake in Larimer County south to Boulder Reservoir in Boulder.
Managing Water Pipeline Construction Across a Variety of Environments
Otak’s construction management team oversaw the roadway reconstruction and reclamation efforts for this project, which involved the installation of a 20-mile raw water pipeline that extends from Carter Lake to Boulder Reservoir. The alignment crosses open space, agricultural lands, roadway, streams, wetlands, and ditches. Some areas are environmentally sensitive and have very specific revegetation requirements. In particular, the stream crossings and wetland reclamation must be carefully monitored for compliance with 404 Permit requirements and floodplain regulations.
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