A team comprising a Flatiron Constructors/Blythe Development Company joint venture and HDR Engineering has been awarded a $99.2M contract for the reconstruction of a 1.9km stretch of motorway in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.
The Mountain View Partners consortium has won a CAD1.42bn ($1.07bn) contract from the Canadian province of Alberta to design, build and operate the Southwest Calgary Ring Road.
Construction firm Skanska has won a $122M contract from the Washington State Department of Transportation to rebuild a freeway interchange in Washington, US.The scope of the project — to be delivered on a design-build basis — will involve the reconstruction of both lanes of the Interstate 5 freeway at its interchange with Washington State Route 16 in Tacoma. The work will also include the construction of four direct connector ramps between the SR 16 HOV lanes and the I-5 HOV lanes.Work on the project will commence in September 2016 with completion scheduled for July 2019.
Absher Construction Company has been awarded a $174M contract by Sound Transit for the construction of Northgate railway station in Seattle, Washington.The scope of the contract will include the construction of an elevated station at Northgate, a parking garage with 450 stalls for transit users, and a transit island for light rail and bus connections.Construction work on the project is set to be complete in 2020, while construction work on underground stations in the Roosevelt and U District neighbourhoods will commence in 2017.Once service opens in 2021, the Northgate station will serve as the northern terminus for light rail until Lynnwood Link opens in 2023.The station is part of the $1.9bn Northgate Link extension project, which extends light rail 6.9km north from the University of Washington to a station next to the King County Northgate Transit Center.
Skanska USA has been awarded a $399M design-build contract by the Florida Department of Transportation for the construction of the Pensacola Bay Bridge in Florida, US.The contract will include the replacement of the existing bridge over Pensacola Bay with two new three-lane bridges, connecting the cities of Pensacola and Gulf Breeze.Each new bridge will have a length of about 5km. The total project length is about 6km, including the roadway approaches on each end of the bridges.Work on the project is scheduled to commence in the third quarter of 2016 and is set to be complete in August 2020.
Toebe Construction has employed the use of nine Terex cranes to assist construction of a highway project in Michigan, USA.The Michigan Department of Transportation (MDTO) is carrying out a two-year, $77M project to reconstruct the Interstate 96 at the US Highway 23 interchange in Livingston County. After the construction of the new interstate section, the existing I-96 roadway will be turned into collector-distributor lanes for easier and safer lane changes.The project also requires the construction of new bridges over both highways. Josh Goldsworthy, Toebe Construction project manager, said: “We are constructing six new bridges first and then reconstructing seven existing bridges to repair damage and bring them up to current standards.”In order to construct the new I-96 eastbound and westbound interstate bridges and roadways, Toebe Construction in joint venture with Kamminga & Roodvoets are using nine Terex HC series lattice boom crawler cranes. Goldsworthy said: “They have the rugged design necessary to stand up to demanding jobs, and they offer high lift capacities for beam placement.“Plus, we are able to get them to the jobsite quickly and have them set up and ready for work in about a day.”Two crawler cranes, a 230t HC230 and a 275t HC275, assisted with the placement of 123t concrete bridge beams. For this, the cranes — each equipped with a 90ft main boom — performed a tandem lift.Three 165t HC165 crawler cranes were used to drive piles, freeing the HC275 for concrete beam placement and the 110t HC110 crawler cranes for various load lifting.
Balfour Beatty has won a $697M contract for the electrification of the Caltrain rail corridor in the USA.The electrification of the 84km-long line between San Francisco and San Jose will bring high-performance trains to Caltrain’s fleet — providing a more frequent service. Balfour Beatty Infrastructure will design and build a 25kv AC overhead catenary system to serve as the power source for the new high-speed trains. The project also includes the construction of two traction power substations, one switching substation and seven paralleling substations. As part of the electrifying works, signal systems and earth existing facilities will be replaced.Balfour Beatty Group chief executive Leo Quinn said: “Our extensive experience in managing complex rail projects leaves us well-qualified to deliver this significant scheme. Caltrain builds on the back of the recent successful delivery of our part in the multi-billion dollar Eagle P3 Commuter Rail network in Denver, Colorado.“We are pleased our unique capability has been recognised with this award which contributes to our strategy to increase our design-build rail market share across the US.”Construction work is due to start this autumn with completion scheduled for 2020. About 300 people will be employed — including 50 apprentice opportunities — during the construction peak.
Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) has started construction on the C-470 Express Lanes project.The $276M project will increase mobility and user choice on a 20km stretch of C-470 between I-25 and Wadsworth Boulevard.The scope of the project will include the reconstruction of existing pavement, the addition of auxiliary lanes at selected locations, on- and off-ramp improvements, and the realignment of substandard curves.It will also include the widening of existing bridges, the replacement of bridges over the South Platte River and the installation of ITS elements and tolling equipment.Currently more than 100,000 motorists use the road link each day with volumes expected to increase 40% by 2035. CDOT executive director Shailen Bhatt said: “Today we celebrate the efforts of the C-470 Coalition and all the legislative advocates that came together to support a project that not only has an incredible regional economic impact, but will touch the daily lives of commuters and community members in this area.“We wish the project team smooth and speedy construction as they deliver this much-anticipated project to a rapidly developing region.”Work on the project is set to be complete in early 2019.
Pennsylvania State Transportation Commission has agreed that $61.9bn will be spent over the next 12 years in various transport projects. The updated programme — previously set up at $63.3bn — will finance improvements to roads, bridges, transit systems, airports and railroads. Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) secretary Leslie S. Richards said: “Through on going efficiencies at PennDOT, we continue to stretch taxpayers’ dollars to reach as many transportation needs as possible.“This update reflects the progress we are making, chipping away at our large backlog of pavement and bridge needs while adding some capacity expansion to address long-standing desires for better mobility.“The new update also includes investments across the modes and underwrites our goal of making sure the people of Pennsylvania have options for their day-to-day travels.”The new plan, to come into effect in 1 October, states that $11.3bn will go to state highway and bridge projects in the first four years, $8.6bn to public transit, $354M to aviation, $229M to rail freight and $305M to multimodal projects.Some of the major projects incorporated in the programme include the $3.3bn reconstruction of the Interstate 95 corridor in southeastern Pennsylvania, the $97.6M widening of U.S. 322, the Conchester Highway, in Delaware County and the $647M reconstruction of Interstate 83 in the Harrisburg region.The plan will be now submitted to the Federal Highway Administration and Federal Transit Administration for review and approval.
Ground has been broken on the US 181 Harbor bridge replacement project in Corpus Christi, Texas.The design and construction contract for the project has been awarded to Flatiron/Dragados.The new $930M bridge, with a main-span of 1,665ft, is expected to be the largest cable-stayed bridge in the US and the third-largest worldwide.It will have a 205ft navigational clearance above the Main Turning Basin waterway, offering the largest ocean-going vessels access to the Port of Corpus Christi.The project will make use of modern bridge technologies, materials and construction techniques that will support a life-span of over 170 years.Texas governor Greg Abbott said: “I would like to congratulate TxDOT, the Port Authority and the City of Corpus Christi on this achievement. The new Harbor Bridge will mean more exports, more economic growth, and that means more jobs.“This bridge will do so much more than just help people get from one side of the bay to the other, it will transport this region from one economic era to an even more prosperous one."The bridge is expected to be complete in 2021.
US-based PCL Construction Services has been selected for the construction of the first phase of the Airside Terminal at Orlando International Airport’s South Terminal C.The scope of the project — part of the $1.8bn south terminal development — will include the construction of 16 airline gates and all associated improvements and infrastructure. The flexible gate configuration will be able to accommodate narrow body, jumbo, and super jumbo aircrafts. The development will also include site work, roadways, aprons, taxiways, landscaping, lighting, walkways, aircraft loading bridges, concessions, and security improvements.Rick Goldman, PCL Orlando district manager, said: “We are thrilled to play a leading role in bringing together local and diverse businesses in the construction of Orlando International Airport’s new terminal.“As part of the nation’s 9th busiest airport for passenger travel, this project will provide a seamless departure and arrival experience for millions of travellers each year.”Preconstruction on the new airside terminal will start in August 2016 and construction work will commence in the first quarter of 2017. The project is scheduled for completion in October 2019.PCL is also working on the Main Ticket Lobby Modifications project, which is expected to be complete in December 2017.
The OHL Group, through OHL USA and Judlau, has won two contracts worth $136M in Texas and New Jersey.OHL USA has bagged a $79M contract from the Texas Department of Transportation to build IH 35 from Stassney Lane to William Cannon Drive in Austin, Texas.The company will be responsible for reconstructing bridge structures along the roadway, new U-turns at Stassney Lane and William Cannon Drive, as well as the frontage road bridges over Williamson Creek.In addition, the project will include the widening of the mainlanes to include shoulders, the extension of entrance and exit lanes, the reconfiguration of ramps, the enhancement of bicycle and pedestrian facilities, and the addition of new safety and high mast lighting. The total scope of the work for OHL covers 5km.Meanwhile, Judlau has won a $57M contract from the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey to restore the New Jersey side of the George Washington Bridge.The project will include the replacement of the deck, superstructure and substructures and on-grade approaches of the Palisades Interstate Parkway Helix, and construction of a temporary detour structure to maintain traffic.Judlau will also install detour bridge structures, temporary barriers and traffic impact attenuators on median barriers, as well as temporary storage facilities to replace those affected by the alignment of the temporary detour.
Vinci Construction Grands Projets in a joint venture with EMCC and Jan de Nul has secured a $147M contract to extend the port of Kingston in Jamaica.Under the contract, awarded by shipping group CMA CGM, the JV will be responsible for the refurbishment, reinforcement and upgrade of 1,200m of quays to seismic standards.Furthermore, dredging work in the access channel will be carried out. The project is expected to increase the alongside depth of the quays to enable them to handle container ships of larger capacity. According to Vinci, the port of Kingston — located near the Panama Canal at the crossroads between the North/South and East/West sea lanes — will become one of the three main container terminals in the Caribbean.Work on the project will be completed in 25 months.
The Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel Commission has awarded a $755M contract to Dragados Team joint venture for the construction of a new parallel tunnel at the Thimble Shoal Channel.The new tunnel will be around one mile in length, and will have an outer diameter of 42ft. Construction work is set to commence in late 2017, with the renovation of the Island 1 fishing pier.
US-based Granite Construction has secured a $128M contract from the California Department of Transportation for the State Route 99 realignment project in Fresno, California. Under the contract, Granite will act as construction manager and general contractor for the project, which includes the construction of a reconfigured interchange, overhead structures and infrastructure, to accommodate the high-speed rail system between the existing freeway and the Union Pacific Railroad.The project also includes the re-routing of local streets to accommodate the realigned freeway and relocation of utilities to support the project. The California High Speed Rail Authority has provided financing for the project, which is scheduled to be complete by September 2018.
The Port Authority of New York and New Jersey has approved a total of $600M of funding for the construction of a new terminal to replace Terminals C and D for Delta Air Lines at LaGuardia Airport. The Port Authority plans to contribute $200M towards the Delta terminal for new concourses and ramp work and $185M for the construction of an electrical substation and the expansion of the East Garage, along with any necessary temporary parking solutions during construction. Furthermore, $215M will go towards roadways and other supporting infrastructure. Delta Air Lines will be responsible for performing and managing the construction work, with full responsibility for any cost over-runs. The development, which represents the second phase of the airport’s redevelopment and modernisation program, will help unify the airport through the interconnection of Terminal B with the new 37-gate Terminal C&D facility which will house Delta. The second phase of the project is expected to cost about $4bn. Work on the Delta phase of the project is expected to start in 2017 — subject to approval from the Federal Aviation Administration — and is scheduled to be complete in 2024. The main head house of the new terminal is anticipated to open in 2020.
A joint venture (JV) of Shimmick Construction, Traylor Bros., and Granite Construction has won an $875M contract from the Honolulu Authority for Rapid Transportation (HART) to build the elevated guideway and stations around the Honolulu International Airport.The JV will be responsible for the design and construction of 8.4km of elevated guideway and four stations from the airport to Middle Street.All the participants in the JV are mainland-based construction companies. HART’s executive director and CEO Dan Grabauskas said the group’s final proposal of $875M was the “best value” of the three analysed by HART.Construction on the airport’s part of the guideway is set to commence in six months.
The governments of Canada and Alberta have signed an agreement to provide funding for the construction of the southwest portion of the Calgary Ring Road.The Southwest Calgary Ring Road project involves the construction of 49 bridges, including three river crossings and one roadway flyover.It will also include 31km of six- and eight-lane divided roadway, 14 interchanges, one railway overpass, and the reconstruction of Glenmore Trail from Sarcee Road to east of 37 Street Southwest.Mountain View Partners has been selected as the preferred proponent, with a commercial close date expected in September 2016.The project will be executed using a design, finance, build and operate procurement approach, in which the contractor will design, build, operate and maintain the asset on behalf of the government of Alberta for the contract period of 30 years.The government of Canada will contribute up to $582.9M to the project, while the remainder of the financing will be provided by the Province of Alberta.The Southwest section is anticipated to be complete by 2021.
US-based infrastructure firm Aecom has won a new $100M contract to provide programme management and construction management (PM/CM) services at the Dallas/Fort Worth (DFW) International Airport in Texas, USA.Aecom will be responsible for the provision of life cycle services to DFW’s Design, Code and Construction Department.The scope of the contract will include programme, project, design and construction management; contract administration; programme and project controls; public outreach and technical, third-party support.The five-year contract also covers a variety of potential projects, including both federally and non-federally funded airfield improvements, building projects and landside improvements.The company will continue to lead a joint venture team responsible for design and design management services for the refurbishments currently underway at DFW Terminal B and Terminal E, as part of the airport’s $2.7bn Terminal Renewal and Improvement Program.Aecom’s chairman and CEO Michael Burke said: “We are very proud of our long history of working with the Dallas/Fort Worth International Airport and being a part of their most important and iconic programs.“The confidence shown by DFW in selecting Aecom as their PM/CM partner for the next five years reflects the collaborative relationship we’ve worked hard to build together and Aecom’s in-house strengths in aviation architecture and engineering.”Aecom has served as a consultant to DFW for over 30 years.
Virginia’s proposed Atlantic Gateway project has received a $165M grant from the US Department of Transportation.The grant, allocated under the DOT’s FASTLANE program, will be combined with $565M in private investments and $710M in other transportation funds.The project is part of the $1.4bn state effort to ease traffic congestion on the I-95 corridor in Northern Virginia.The development will include the construction of 23km of new rail track, the extension of 95 express lanes for 11km north to the Potomac River and the extension of the 95 express lanes 16km south to Fredericksburg.Work will also involve the construction of a new southbound bridge on I-95 across the Rappahannock River, as well as new commuter parking, technology upgrades and new truck parking.Governor Terry McAuliffe said: “Winning this significant federal grant will allow Virginia to move forward on a project that will transform travel conditions and stimulate economic growth across our Commonwealth. Our administration worked with federal, state, local and private sector parties to submit a package of transportation improvements that will have far-reaching benefits for everyone who travels the Commonwealth, whether by car, bus or train.”Construction work will be carried out in phases, and portions will start as early as 2017.