Case Study
BNSF Railroad Overpass, Hwy 18 Jonesboro, Ark
On March 25, 2019, Capital began the construction of two new bridges over the BNSF railroad in Jonesboro, Arkansas. This project was designed to mitigate congestion and delays caused by train traffic. Awarded through ArDOT's A+C bidding method, Capital secured the contract as the low bidder, proposing an innovative schedule that reduced the project duration by 68 days compared to the next closest competitor.
The comprehensive scope of work included removals and excavation, embankment construction, storm structure installation, pile driving, substructure and superstructure concrete work, steel girder erection, cast-in-place barrier walls with architectural finishes, and approach pavement installation. The project's unique location and specific owner requirements presented opportunities for innovative approaches in scheduling, budgeting, construction techniques, and stakeholder communication.
Innovative Approaches
Throughout the project, our team implemented several innovative strategies that resulted in significant time and cost savings. A cornerstone of our efficiency-driven approach was the development and implementation of four Value Engineering (VE) proposals. These proposals enabled us to optimize the bridge foundations, substantially reducing pile length. This innovative redesign not only streamlined the construction process but also yielded remarkable financial benefits, with the project realizing a total savings of $869,000. This outcome demonstrates our commitment to cost-effectiveness without compromising on quality or structural integrity.
Accelerated Delivery Time
Capital successfully accelerated the project timeline through strategic concurrent phasing and material changes. We identified an opportunity to overlap the first two stages of embankment building by two months, contrary to the original contract requirement that mandated 100% completion of each phase before advancing. After obtaining approval from ArDOT for concurrent phasing, we were able to commence bridge-building stages two months earlier than initially planned. For the back-to-back MSE walls along bridge approaches, we approved the use of MSE backfill for the full width between walls. This decision simplified material handling and increased backfilling efficiency, allowing for material hauling through winter without weather-related setbacks. As a result of these efforts, the project was put on track for early completion.
Maximizing Public Convenience
The project involved widening and improving several streets to accommodate increased traffic. To minimize public inconvenience, we merged phases for the new alignment of Arch Street and Irby Street, which significantly reduced construction time. By completing the tie-in to old Arch Street concurrently with new alignment construction, we enabled traffic to access all areas of the subdivision once the asphalt surface was laid. This solution limited inconvenience to only two houses instead of affecting the entire neighborhood. Our team worked closely with the affected homeowners, rebuilding their driveways in phases and providing temporary access to minimize disruption.
Safety
Despite the challenges of constructing over an active BNSF railroad, the project was completed with zero safety incidents. Our approach to ensuring safety included prioritizing frequent communication with railroad personnel to maintain safety for both parties. Additionally, we installed new adjustable safety stanchions along the full length of the bridge and MSE walls for fall prevention, exceeding contract requirements by proactively identifying and resolving potential safety hazards throughout the project lifecycle.
This project exemplifies Capital's commitment to delivering efficient, cost-effective, and safe infrastructure solutions while addressing complex logistical challenges in urban environments.
