Project Management, Construction Management, & Project Controls Archives - Page 4 of 12

CO 7 and 119th Intersection Construction

Expanding capacity for a busy intersection in a growing area of Colorado, improvements at CO 7 (East Baseline Road) and 119th Street also add multiple pedestrian and transit-focused features. Otak led the construction management of this project which align with a broader vision by the city for improvements throughout the corridor.

Constructing Multimodal Improvements to an Intersection

In the southeastern portion of Boulder County, approximately one-mile northeast of downtown Lafayette, this was originally a four-way, signalized intersection with one travel lane in each direction. Along with capacity expansion, additional left turn lanes and right turn deceleration lanes were included. Transit queue jump lanes, bike lanes, and sidewalks on the western side of the intersection were among the multimodal design features. Bus rapid transit (BRT) stops were also built in the northwest and southwest quadrants of the intersection. Additional right-of-way (ROW) was required to complete these improvements as part of larger goals for increased connectivity for the community.

Fire Station 11

With high growth in the Orchards-Sifton neighborhood of Vancouver, WA, the City planned the addition of a Fire Station in the area to maintain their standards of quick call times and great service to the community.

Capital Project Support to Quickly Complete a First Responder Facility

The City’s Capital Projects team was already stretched thin delivering a separate, robust construction program as construction of Fire Station 11 approached, leading to a need for construction support. Otak recommended effective ways to not only augment their capacity but amplify their impact. The construction management team built a plan focused on using the right information to add the right skills in the right place at the right time. Operating as an extension of the City’s team, Otak’s construction manager and inspector integrated their approach with established processes, tools, and culture. In completing construction on-time and within budget, Fire Station 11 was able to begin serving the community on schedule.

Monmouth City Hall

An initial evaluation of the City of Monmouth’s City Hall – originally constructed in the 1920’s – led to the conclusion that a replacement was needed. After design and construction documents were completed, the estimates on cost exceeded budget by over 60%. Otak was brought on as owner’s representative to set a path forward for resolving the cost issues and to drive towards efficient completion.

Adding Efficiency to a Highly-Collaborative Value Engineering and Redesign Process

For nearly a century, the City of Monmouth had utilized a City Hall which was previously the city fire station. In its lifetime, the building developed issues including a leaking roof, fragile clay tile exterior construction, and staff squeezed into every possible space. The entire second floor and restrooms were only accessible by stairs while file storage in the basement would flood with a power loss. The new building was designed to address these issues while adding a number of features focused on sustainability, safety, and operational efficiency. Those ranged from solar power augmentation and electric vehicle charging stations to access security systems, seismic stability, and an elevator among other ADA-compliant elements. In an effort to add sustainable elements to the redesign process, locally-sourced materials are utilized in cross laminated timber (CLT) found throughout the structure. Through a highly-collaborative value engineering and redesign process, the site would also maintain its historic significance from old growth trees and parts incorporated from the Veteran’s Hall. Although the size of the building ultimately required adjustment, and the budget required supplementation, the final project delivered all the original scope in a slightly restructured format.

Dalles Bridge Deck Replacement

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.

Sound Transit East Link Light Rail

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.

SR520 HOV and Bridge Replacement Program

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.

Port of Seattle Road Safety Improvements

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.

South Boulder Road At-Grade Crossings

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.

Cottontail Trail

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.

Nestucca Valley High School Career Technical Education Center

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.