2018 ACEC OF FLORIDA FICE OUTSTANDING PROJECT AWARDS (OPA) PROGRAM PROJECT NOMINATION FORM

Transcription

1 2018 ACEC OF FLORIDA FICE OUTSTANDING PROJECT AWARDS (OPA) PROGRAM PROJECT NOMINATION FORM A. District: TPK C.O. B. Nomination Category: (Select only one category) Outstanding Major Project Outstanding PD&E/Planning Project Outstanding Design Build or CM at Risk Project Outstanding Roadway Project Outstanding Environmental Project Outstanding Special Project Outstanding Bridge Project C. General Description of Project: Project Name: I 75 Northbound Lane Balancing FDOT FM#: Project Description (150 characters): Lane balancing, capacity and traffic operations improvements along NB I 75 from Indian Trace to the I 75/I 595/Sawgrass Expressway Interchange. Project Narrative (500 char.): The Project improved traffic capacity and reduced traffic delays at the I 75/I 595/Sawgrass Expressway Interchange by reconfiguring the travel lanes at the Sawgrass Expressway/I 595 exit ramp (Exit 19), which included extending the NB I 75 inside and outside auxiliary lanes. The project was significantly expedited, progressing from programming to construction completion in only 2 years, and met FDOT s goal to complete the construction prior to opening the adjacent I 75 Express Lanes Project. D. Project Team: (Fill in all that apply; add major contributing sub consultants as needed) 1. Complete this section for Major Projects, Minor Projects or Special Projects only (50 characters max for firm names and 30 characters for person names) a. Design Consultants: Page 1 of 7

2 Prime Consultant: RS&H Consultant Project Mgr.: Douglas Green, PE Address: Phone Number: Physical Address: 3125 W. Commercial Blvd., Ste. 130,Ft. Laud. Subconsultant: Discipline: Technical Lead: Subconsultant: Discipline: Technical Lead: b. CEI Consultants: Prime: Target Engineering Group Sr. Project Engr.: Raj Rangaswamy, PE Subconsultant: Subconsultant: Technical Lead: Technical Lead: c. FDOT Design Project Mgr.: Vanita Saini, PE d. FDOT Construction Project Engr./Admin.: Antonio Castro, PE 2. Complete this section for Design Build, CM at Risk or P3 Projects only (Include all that apply. 75 characters max for each item) a. Concessionaire: b. Prime Contractor: c. Design Consultants: Prime Consultant: Consultant Project Mgr.: Subconsultant: Discipline: Technical Lead: Subconsultant: Discipline: Technical Lead: d. FDOT Design Project Manager: e. FDOT Program Mgmnt Consultant: Technical Lead: f. FDOT CEI Consultants: Prime: Sr. Project Engr.: Page 2 of 7

3 Subconsultant: Subconsultant: Technical Lead: Technical Lead: E. Project Completion Date: April 12, 2017 F. Detailed Project Information (Address all applicable award criteria): (750 characters max for each item) 1. Complexity of Project: The project is located just north of the new NB I 75 Express Lanes egress ramp, along a heavily traveled segment of I 75 with connections to a downstream interchange serving three major movements NB I 75 (to Naples), NB Sawgrass Expressway and EB I 595. Prior to the improvements, typical AM and PM peak periods experienced queues of slow moving traffic (< 25 mph) stretched for more than a mile along NB I 75. The project improvements addressed this condition by adding an auxiliary lane and assigning traffic to the mainline lanes proportionately according to the demand for each movement at the downstream interchange. The benefits to traffic operations were immediate, with typical mainline speeds exceeding 50 mph since the project opened. 2. Scheduling Challenges: FDOT s goal was to have the project completed on an accelerated schedule to quickly alleviate the AM and PM traffic congestion and delays, and before opening the new I 75 Express Lanes. The project was programmed for funding, designed and constructed in 2 years. The design phase was completed in only 8 months, 3 months ahead of the scheduled production, allowing the project to be let ahead of schedule. Collaboration with FHWA shortened the SIMR Reevaluation process. Permitting required close coordination with regulatory agencies to secure permits in record time. Advanced procurement of sign structures and a strategic MOT phasing plan resulted in completion of the construction in only 213 days, well ahead of the estimated 252 day schedule. 3. Innovative Technical Concepts: The design concept was as innovative as it was straightforward. Innovative in that various, typically isolated design techniques were simultaneously employed to achieve this unique ramp split configuration, and straightforward in that lane designations were reassigned to reduce a lane for the low volume movement (NB I 75) and to add a dedicated lane for each of the high volume movements (NB Sawgrass Expressway and EB I 595). To effectively redistribute the traffic and modify the existing pavement configuration, the design staggered the extensions of both the inside and outside auxiliary lanes from the I 75 Express Lanes egress ramp and I 595 exit ramp, respectively, while simultaneously shifting lanes and redistributing lane assignments. 4. Cost savings: The FDOT Work Program project budget was programmed for $5,431,378, and the low bid amount was $4,071,704. The contract completion amount totaled $4,259,065, resulting in a cost savings of $1,172,313 from the programmed amount. The project design started within the same timeframe as the adjacent I 75 Express Lanes Segment E Project construction. Coordination amongst FDOT, RS&H, Target Engineering Group (CEI for both projects), and the Segment E contractor enabled incorporation of specific design changes to the Segment E construction plans to minimize throwaway Page 3 of 7

4 work for the Lane Balancing Project. The innovative geometrics also minimized the amount of widening and overbuild construction required, thus providing additional cost savings. 5. Public Involvement/Support: Prior to the project, this segment of I 75 experienced excessive congestion and considerable delays during typical weekday AM and PM peak periods. The project resulted in immediate favorable conditions, including improved traffic operations, increased capacity, reduced delays, and enhanced safety. The instant reaction from the public was exceptionally positive. As one user described the completed project, It is like a night and day and I have saved 15 minutes of my commuting time". The success of this project was due in large part to the collaborative team effort involving many participants and stakeholders including FDOT, FHWA, RS&H, Target Engineering Group, Halley Engineering Contractors, and the I 75 Corridor Advisory Committee. 6. Minimization of Negative Impacts: The overlap of the ongoing I 75 Express Lanes Segment E construction and the I 75 NB Lane Balancing Project presented unique challenges during design to mitigate future negative impacts of the Lane Balancing Project construction. Modification of the signing and ITS design for the Segment E project avoided throwaway construction for the signing and ITS components of the Lane Balancing project. The project required complex and strategic MOT to effectively shift the pavement crown point from phase to phase, while minimizing impacts to motorists. The contractor was innovative in reducing the MOT phasing and lane closure requirements, including lane shift operations during full closures for the removal of existing overhead sign structures. 7. Partnering: Proactive and continual collaboration of all the stakeholders, including FDOT, FHWA, permitting agencies, RS&H, Target Engineering Group, the I 75 Express Lanes Segment E and Lane Balancing contractors, and the Lane Balancing EOR, was essential for the successful and accelerated completion of the project. Target Engineering Group and Halley Engineering Contractors were successful in partnering, which resulted in Halley Engineering Contractors achieving their No Excuse Bonus for completing the installation of the sign structures ahead of the completion date, and also achieved their Maximum Incentive Bonus by completing the project ahead of schedule. 8. Functionality of Project: Prior to the Lane Balancing Project, the northbound segment of I 75 on the approach to the Sawgrass Expressway/I 595 exit ramp experienced excessive congestion and considerable delays during the typical weekday AM and PM peak periods. Queues of slow moving traffic (operating speeds below 25 mph) were observed extending from the Sawgrass Expressway/I 595 exit ramp to points south of the Indian Trace overpass (a distance of approximately ¾ mile). On occasion, queues had been reported extending as far south as the Royal Palm Boulevard Interchange (a distance of approximately 1½ miles). The alleviation of the traffic congestion as a result of the project improvements were experienced immediately, with typical operating speeds exceeding 50 mph. 9. Aesthetics: New overhead sign panels and dynamic message signs, vastly improved geometrics and pavement markings, and pavement shields for each of the 3 major movements highlight the I 75 NB Lane Balancing project. Page 4 of 7

5 10. Environmental Impacts/Benefits: This project was self mitigating and environmental impacts associated with the loss of wetlands and wildlife habitat were offset within the Department s right ofway. Close coordination with the USACOE, SFMWD and Central Broward Drainage District resulted in approval of drainage and stormwater management features that serve a dual purpose. The proposed retention swales required to accommodate design storms were also designed and graded to offset wetland impacts and mitigate wood stork foraging habitat. The existing Conceptual SFWMD Environmental Resource Permit for the I 75 Express Lanes Project was modified and subsequently procured in record time, within 2 months of submittal to the agencies. 11. Sustainability: The completed capacity improvements will sustain current and future traffic demands and will provide acceptable Levels of Service. The newly constructed pavement was designed for a 20 year design period and will thus provide many years of reliable and durable service. 12. Cost Overruns and Time Extensions: The cost overrun was less than 5% of cost, and no time extension was required. The project construction was completed in 213 calendar days, signficantly less time than the original contract duration of 252 calendar days. 13. Technical/Engineering Challenges Overcome: The improvements to the I 75/I 595/Sawgrass Expressway Interchange required a geometric roadway reconfiguration where northbound I 75 splits into three different directions: I 75 to Naples, NB Sawgrass Expressway and EB I 595. During the design phase, a comprehensive and detailed evaluation was performed for the pavement cross slope analysis to address superelevation transitions coincident with shifting lanes, shifting the pavement crown point, and correcting cross slopes while minimizing the pavement overbuild thicknesses and additional impacts to the existing roadside features within the project area. In addition, the design had taken into account the ongoing improvements associated with the adjacent I 75 Express Lanes Segment E Project. 14. Safety Improvements: The Project improved operating conditions from LOS F prior to construction, to LOS D or better post construction. In addition to the congestion relief, the speed differential between adjacent lanes is also substantially reduced with the design modifications. The reduction in congestion for the EB I 595 exit ramp movement also resulted in a significant reduction in queue jumping. These improved operating conditions, coupled with the significantly improved geometrics and upgraded signing and pavement markings, will yield commensurate safety benefits from crash reductions within this roadway segment. G. Photo/Drawing Bearing Project Name Required (Submit Photo with Other Supporting Documentation) H. Other Supporting Documentation Included (Check all that apply): (Note: Supporting documentation, excluding photographs and district endorsement must be formatted and submitted as a single, 8½x11 PDF document not to exceed five (5) pages in length.) Page 5 of 7

6 x RS&H, Inc.

7 P.O. Box 750 Tallahassee, FL Attn: 2018 ACEC FL Outstanding Project Awards (OPA) Program *Please include the specific project name on the check to ensure payment is assigned to the appropriate nomination application and project. Page 7 of 7

8 I 75 Northbound Lane Balancing Project Location Map

9 I 75 Northbound Lane Balancing Project Pre Construction Lane Configuration (Looking north)

10 I 75 Northbound Lane Balancing Project Post Construction Lane Configuration (Looking north)

11 I 75 Northbound Lane Balancing Project Traffic Congestion Prior to Construction (Looking north) I 75 Northbound Lane Balancing Project Improved Traffic Conditions After Construction (Looking north)

12 I 75 Northbound Lane Balancing Project (Looking north)

13 I 75 Northbound Lane Balancing Project (Looking north)

14 I 75 Northbound Lane Balancing Project (Looking north)

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