Cleveland Bridge Project Utilizes Portable Dam

Legacy Parkway officially opens to public; Kier building Palmer Court at site of former Holiday Inn in Salt Lake; Camco breaks ground on Zion’s Bank project in Provo.

When a recent National Bridge Inspection Standards report indicated deteriorating piles under the Cleveland Bridge on SH 34 in southeastern Idaho, the Idaho Transportation Department wasted no time taking action.

The Portadam system makes use of a steel frame structure that supports an impermeable fabric liner, which can form a wall capable of holding back up to ten feet of standing or running water. As a result, working areas that were previously hazardous or hidden under water are dry and easily accessible for work and repair.

Like many important projects, this one came fully equipped with its own unique set of challenges. It required the use of a method that would allow for complete dewatering in two distinct phases; construction crews would require maximum access to each of the bridge’s seven piers. The cost of sheet piling would have far surpassed the project’s budget. In addition to the need for the project being cost-effect for tax-payers, there were the state’s strictly regulated environmental, traffic and transportation and time-frame parameters to contend with.

"The contractor was required to choose a cofferdam system that would meet Idaho Transportation Department’s dewatering specification, one that was appropriate for the elevation and flow of the river,” said Elizabeth Shannon with the Bridge Design Section of ITD. “Since the rehabilitation work was to be done without affecting the bridge roadway and in two stages, the contractor needed to select a cofferdam that was capable of being installed underneath the existing bridge deck.”

The project entailed gaining complete access to each of the seven piers on the 280-ft, 8-span bridge. Crews would need to remove the deteriorated timber piling from the 12-in diameter piers and repair the concrete on the pier caps. They would then use a repair technique that prior to the project’s commencement, was entirely novel to Idaho State’s Transportation Department. The piers would be rehabilitated through the installation of a pile encapsulation system manufactured by Five Star Rockwater. A fiberglass jacket, 13 inches in diameter, was placed around the existing piers then filled in with epoxy grout, securing the pier and strengthening the bridge.

The contractor, Cannon Builders, Inc. of Blackfoot, Idaho, contacted Bob Gatta, CEO of Portadam, Inc., a portable dam company headquartered in New Jersey with regional offices throughout the country. "We had worked with Portadam on past projects, with favorable results," said Curtis Cannon, CEO, of Cannon Builders, Inc. "Given the conditions of the river and the specifics of the project, we needed a dewatering system we could depend on.”

In early July, crews from both companies worked together throughout the dam’s installation process. Portadam’s team of divers and professionals secured the edge of the liner to the rocky bottom of the riverbed, assembling and placing the steel frames that would support the dam. With the fames and impermeable liner firmly in place, the dewatering process begins. As crews pumped water out from behind the dam, the water moved to the front creates additional water pressure, pushing the liner back onto the frames, making a tight seal.

The project was successfully completed in late September.

45th South Bridge a Finalist for National Award

Ten signature transportation projects that reflect the best in management and innovation by state departments of transportation were named as finalists for the prestigious “America’s Transportation Award.” Spectacular bridges, toll and access roads, innovative interchanges and interstates competed for the Grand National Prize, selected by a panel of community, business and transportation leaders.

“These awards highlight innovation, technology and transportation solutions that improve safety, relieve congestion, improve access to jobs or schools, and enhance the quality of life in America today,” said Missouri Secretary of Transportation Pete K. Rahn, president of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO).

The competition is cosponsored by AAA, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, and AASHTO to bring public attention to transportation projects around the country that make a positive difference to people, businesses and communities.

The ten finalists are:

• California: The MacArthur Maze, San Francisco
• Florida: Open Road Tolling, Miami-Dade County
• Kansas: I-35 Interchange, Kansas City
• Maryland/Virginia/District of Columbia: Woodrow Wilson Bridge
• Minnesota: TH36 N St. Paul Reconstruction, Saint Paul
• Mississippi: Saint Louis Bay Bridge, Bay Saint Louis
• Pennsylvania: Route 830 Airport Access, Jefferson County
• Rhode Island: Iway Bridge Float Project, Providence
• Utah: 4500 South Bridge Replacement, Salt Lake City.

“The business community depends on a safe, efficient, and reliable transportation system to provide Americans with the goods and services they use every day,” said Janet Kavinoky, director of transportation and infrastructure at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. “The U.S Chamber is pleased to co-sponsor America’s Transportation Awards, which honors exemplary transportation projects that stimulate interstate and international commerce and thereby enhance our quality of life.”

The Grand National Prize-winning state will receive funds to support a graduate-level educational grant in the transportation field.

Legacy Highway Opens to Public

After more than a decade of talk, proposals, legal action, and finally construction, Legacy Parkway officially opened to the public with a ribbon-cutting ceremony September 13 in Davis County, Utah.

Many Utah government leaders and officials, including Governor Jon Huntsman Jr., along with key executives from the Utah Department of Transportation were on hand for the special event.

“Here we are, 10 years later, and we are thrilled to officially introduce everyone to Legacy Parkway,” said John Njord, UDOT executive director. “The drive down this roadway will be a truly unique experience as Utahn’s become familiar with what makes a Parkway different than a highway, and there are differences, as anyone who drives it in the coming days can tell you.”

Construction of 14-mile-long Legacy Parkway, which stretches from North Salt Lake to Farmington, was split into three major segments that totaled nearly $300 million in construction costs. Segment 1 was built by A&W Highway Contractors – a joint venture between Ames Construction of Salt Lake and Wadsworth Brothers Construction of Draper, Utah. Ames constructed Segment 2, while W.W. Clyde-Geneva Constructors joint venture team built Segment 3.

“The demand for this road is evident today and is evident every time there is an incident on I-15 that delays commuters hours and hours in getting home or to work,” added Njord.

Aesthetics are a big part of this project, on everything including structures, roadway, trails, waterways, corridor gateway and landscaping.

The 14-mile, two-lane highway is expected to handle approximately 20,000 vehicles per day. The road has four interchanges from the starting point in North Salt Lake through Farmington, and includes 16 new bridge structures and 10 pedestrian trail bridges.

“We’ve been through a lot of struggles, but the commitment of the entire team has been outstanding,” said Todd Jensen, UDOT project director. “It’s the second largest project UDOT has ever done. The contractors on this project have been outstanding. They put a lot of resources on this job and worked very hard to get it done on time.”

Cameron Working on Tenant Finish for IHC

Salt Lake-based Cameron Construction has started construction of a 40,000-sq-ft tenant finish at the Intermountain Health Care Medical Center Office Building. The project includes two floors of up scale office space for a new tenant with workstations, offices, conference rooms and reception area. The project also includes a physician’s gym with locker rooms and restroom facilities. The architectural firm for this project is Architectural Nexus. Project will be completed in October.

Kier to Build Palmer Court Project

Kier Construction of Ogden was recently awarded an $11.2 million contract to renovate the former Holiday Inn, located at 1000 South Main Street in Salt Lake City. Named after Palmer DePaulis, former Salt Lake City Mayor and dedicated advocate for the homeless, Palmer Court will be a 201-unit housing and support services complex for the homeless. The 183,000-sq-ft facility was purchased by The Road Home, a nonprofit organization that provides support services and shelter for Salt Lake City’s homeless. The facility will feature numerous recreational amenities and will house The Road Home’s administrative offices and counseling staff. Construction is expected to be completed March of 2009.

Reconstruction of I-84 Bridge Underway

Reconstruction began recently on the east half of the I-84, Franklin Boulevard Interchange Bridge in Nampa. The east half of the bridge is being cut into pieces and removed as part of the bridge reconstruction project. The project will reconstruct the east half of the bridge, built in 1965, to match the west half built in 1999.

Concrete Placing Company Inc. of Boise is the contractor for the $3.1 million bridge reconstruction project. The project is expected to be complete in summer of 2009 and will allow future I-84 widening between the Franklin Boulevard and Garrity Boulevard interchanges in Nampa. The widening project is anticipated to begin in late 2009 and will depend on funding.

The I-84, Franklin Boulevard Bridge project is part of a series of interstate improvements planned for I-84 between Caldwell and Meridian through the GARVEE Transportation Program. The program uses Grant Anticipation Revenue Vehicle (GARVEE) bonds to expedite interstate improvements.

The Tree Farm Records Plat for Phase One

The Tree Farm, a new mixed-use community slated for Idaho’s Treasure Valley, submitted the final plat for phase one of the neighborhood within the city of Meridian. This phase includes a total of 140 homesites on nearly 90 acres.

“Over the past months, we have been working diligently to lay the groundwork for the vision of The Tree Farm and recording the plat is a huge step in being able to bring that vision into reality,” said Derick O’Neill of O’Neill Enterprises, which is a partner in developing the community. “Now we will have the opportunity to see families building their homes and the establishment of a neighborhood that will become a vital part of NW Meridian and the greater Treasure Valley.”

A wide variety of housing options is represented in phase one, including:

•Lifestyle homes: These 45 homesites will feature homes that range in size from 1,800- 2,200 square feet, with Asian Craftsman, Contemporary and Prairie architectural styles. This area features low-maintenance living with heightened access to amenities, quality green spaces and parks.
•Single-family, semi-custom homes: These 54 homesites range from one-quarter to one-third of an acre and include the ability for buyers to customize portions of their homes.
•Estate/custom homes: Each of the 41 homesites in this area – which range up to one acre in size - provide a unique setting for the homeowner surrounded by views, green space, parkways and a community park.

Camco Begins Zion’s Bank Project

Camco Construction Inc. of Salt Lake was selected by Block 29 Developers to build the new Zion’s Bank Financial Center in Provo, Utah.

The official groundbreaking ceremony for the Zion’s Bank Financial Center was held on September 15. The nine-story office building consists of 196,562-sq-ft. Adjoining to the office building will be a five-story, 340-stall parking structure. The project will feature structural steel and concrete with and an exterior of EIFS, tile, and stone.

The project team includes Martin Christiansen, project manager and James Bird, project superintendent of Camco.Steven Bruemmer of Sandy, Utah-based Elliott Workgroup Architecture designed the project.

Snaker River Rest Area Renovated

Renovation of the Snake River View Rest Area near the Idaho-Oregon state line in Payette County is nearly complete, the Idaho Transportation Department announced.

The rest area is on eastbound I-84 in Idaho just across the Snake River from Ontario.

The rest area received new landscaping, a new irrigation system, a resurfaced parking lot and sidewalk improvements to increase handicapped access. In addition, new fixtures were installed and the patio area overlooking the Snake River was refurbished. Walls and a window also were added to make the patio more comfortable for year-round use.

The rest area was built in 1966 and refurbished in 1987. King Excavation of Caldwell was the contractor for the nearly $1 million project.