The CTDOT – Design Build Removal and Replacement of Bridges 03761, 03762, 03764, and 03765 along RT 8 in Bridgeport, CT, was the first Design Build Project performed for the Connecticut Department of Transportation. This Accelerated Bridge Construction Project consisted of the demolition of 16 bridge spans and the design and construction of 10 new replacement bridge spans. The work included demolition of the existing bridges, new bridge superstructures, bridge substructure repairs and modifications, cast-in-place concrete walls, earthwork, and roadway construction.
All work was performed using Accelerated Construction Techniques. Manafort collaborated with its Design Build Partner WSP Parsons Brinckerhoff to develop a detailed design that supported these Accelerated Construction Techniques most notably including onsite prefabrication of the bridge superstructure units. The bridge superstructure demolition, reconstruction, over 30,000 cy of roadway and structural fill, and highway approach work were all completed ahead of schedule, four days less than the two 14-day shutdown periods allowed by CTDOT. Through detailed planning, prefabrication, scheduling, and coordination, it is estimated that Manafort completed two construction seasons’ worth of work during these two 14-day shutdown periods.
The project was completed under budget, ahead of schedule, and was the recipient of a number of regional and national industry awards. Manafort served as The Design Build Prime Contractor for the project and self-performed a majority of the work including demolition, excavation, cast in place concrete, onsite prefabrication of bridge superstructure units, road and highway work.
The Rhode Island Department of Transportation Providence Viaduct Southbound Bridge 578 Replacement Project involved the construction of a new 1,290 foot four lane bridge to carry RT 95 Southbound through downtown Providence, RI. The Project also required removal and replacement of adjacent Bridge Ramp Structures 577 and 579 as well as widening sections of Bridge 578 and 579. Due to very tight logistical constraints, the project required seven separate phases of traffic control and all work was required to be planned and scheduled in a very coordinated and detailed manner.
The work included extensive earth excavation and temporary support of excavation, pile driving, concrete substructure, bridge superstructure, temporary bridge, bridge demolition, cast in place concrete retaining walls, precast concrete retaining walls, storm drainage, roadway reconstruction, highway approach, highway signage, and highway lighting work.
Manafort developed and executed a number of value engineering approaches to complete the project including concrete slip forming of bridge parapets, the first ever application on a Rhode Island Department of Transportation Project. Accelerated Construction Methods were also employed to complete construction of an interim highway ramp, to minimize traffic impacts on the general public, in 7 days, three days ahead of the 10 days required by contract.
Manafort served as Prime Contractor for the project and self-performed a majority of the work including excavation, temporary support of excavation, concrete substructure, bridge superstructure, cast in place concrete retaining walls, precast concrete retaining walls, storm drainage, roadway reconstruction, and highway approach work.
Manafort Brothers, Inc. was selected as the Design Build Contractor by the City of New Haven for the Downtown Crossing Phase 3 project in New Haven, CT. This project was the City’s first design-build project, and it required an accelerated schedule, allowing only six months to complete a Release for Construction Design to support a twenty-week closure duration for the complete reconstruction of South Frontage Road and Congress Avenue.
The project scope included all required design, including extensive maintenance of traffic measures, extensive road reconfiguration and reconstruction of South Frontage Road, Congress Avenue, and the Service Drives to the Air Rights Garage, accommodations for future planned bridge structures, new utility installation, relocation of existing utilities, permanent sheeting retaining walls, new southern concrete substructure for the future Temple Street Bridge, Rammed Aggregate Pier ground improvements for the future northern substructure of the future Temple Street Bridge, traffic and pedestrian signalization of the South Frontage Road and Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard intersections, new street lighting, signage, and line striping.
This detailed urban roadway design build project required extensive and regular coordination with the City of New Haven and the two separate major ongoing building construction projects directly adjacent to the Downtown Crossing project. The Manafort Design Build Team was able to complete the design to commence construction in the allotted closure period. As part of this process, Manafort and the City of New Haven worked as a team to successfully navigate through Right of Way, Utility, and 3rd party needs, while resequencing and accelerating certain activities to keep the project on schedule. Despite the many challenges, Manafort was able to successfully deliver the project under budget and 46 days ahead of schedule. This project is a great example of what can be accomplished when all major stakeholders work and collaborate in true partnership form.
