RAIL & MASS TRANSIT Archives

MASSDOT RT 24 & RT 140 INTERCHANGE IMPROVEMENTS

The Massachusetts Department of Transportation RT 24/RT 140 Interchange Improvements Project in Taunton, MA, includes extensive widening of RT 24 in both NB and SB directions, new on and off ramps connecting to RT24 to RT 140, the replacement of two bridges over active railroad corridors, one bridge carrying RT 24 over RT 140, substantial widening and reconstruction of RT 140 in both directions, and associated highway upgrades to enhance access to the Taunton Commuter Rail Station. Manafort was selected by the previous contractor’s surety to serve as the Prime Completion Contractor, responsible for delivering the remaining components of this critical and heavily traveled interchange. All three Manafort entities—Manafort Brothers, Manafort Transit, and Manafort Precision—are working collaboratively to execute and deliver the remaining work.

Manafort’s bridge replacement scope includes temporary support of excavation, temporary cofferdams for a river bypass, cast-in-place concrete abutments, cast-in-place retaining walls, structural steel erection, cast-in-place bridge decks and parapets, roadway construction, and paving.

Leveraging extensive heavy highway and bridge construction experience, Manafort ensured a seamless transition in completing the remaining project work. As the Prime Completion Contractor, Manafort is self-performing a majority of the remaining construction, including earthwork, substructure concrete, superstructure concrete, civil & utility work, and roadway construction. The project continues to advance toward safe, on-budget, and on-schedule delivery.

STAMFORD TRANSPORTATION CENTER PARKING GARAGE DEMOLITION

Manafort Brothers, Inc. was retained by the Connecticut Department of Transportation to demolish a structurally compromised parking garage at the Stamford Rail Station. The 1985 garage was physically connected to a 2004 garage and shared utilities, PARC systems, and pedestrian and vehicular access points. It also supported a pedestrian bridge directly tied to the station and spanning a high-traffic roadway, requiring extensive pre-demolition coordination.

Prior to demolition, MBI executed significant utility modifications, including construction of a new Headend room, installation of new utilities and PARC systems, and full integration with a recently built parking facility—completed without interrupting station operations or impacting traffic and parking demands.

Due to the garage’s post-tensioned concrete structure, proximity to active facilities, and the bridge connection over a live roadway, MBI implemented detailed engineering analyses, shoring designs, and a comprehensive demolition plan. Work began with the controlled removal of the pedestrian bridge and precast support beams, followed by installation of sacrificial shoring and surgical separations from adjacent structures using a remote-controlled excavator. Once buffer zones were established, mechanical demolition proceeded utilizing a specialized 207,000-lb excavator equipped with a 10,200-lb pulverizing tool to safely remove the structure to a depth of 4 feet below grade.

Upon completion of demolition, MBI performed extensive site and roadway restoration, including new utilities, curbing, sidewalks, lighting, pedestrian safety enhancements, drainage improvements, and roadway milling and paving. Final site grading and landscaping prepared the area for future development, restoring a critical transportation hub safely, efficiently, and with minimal disruption.

All work was completed safely, on time, and with minimal impact to the active Stamford Transportation Center.

RIDOT I-95 PROVIDENCE VIADUCT NORTHBOUND

The Rhode Island Department of Transportation I-95 Providence Viaduct Northbound Design-Build Project in Providence involved the full replacement of the seven-span Bridge No. 578 on I-95, as well as the replacement, widening, and rehabilitation of 10 additional bridges along the corridor. As part of a Joint Venture, Manafort Brothers, Inc. was selected as the Design-Build Prime Contractor to deliver this complex project within one of the state’s most heavily traveled interstate sections.

The design-build team developed an innovative traffic configuration through the I-95 interchange to reduce congestion and weaving for the 200,000 vehicles per day that travel through this interchange in downtown Providence. The project includes construction of a 1,290-foot viaduct bridge featuring two I-95 express lanes, three collector-distributor lanes, and on-ramp connections from Route 6/10 and downtown Providence. Additional work includes replacement of Bridge No. 703 (RI-146 over I-95), Bridge No. 701 (Smith Street over I-95), and Bridge No. 1379 (Atwells Avenue on-ramp to I-95 Northbound).

The team utilized Accelerated Bridge Construction (ABC) techniques, including Prefabricated Bridge Units (PBUs) over the Amtrak right-of-way, to efficiently widen Bridge No. 706. To address challenging geotechnical conditions, ultra-light foam glass aggregate (ULFGA) fill was incorporated into mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) walls to achieve net-zero loading.

As Design-Build Prime Contractor, Manafort self-performed a majority of the work, including excavation, substructure concrete rehabilitation, superstructure concrete, drainage, and roadway construction. Leveraging extensive design-build expertise. The project was successfully completed safely, on budget, and on schedule.

PORT OF DAVISVILLE – TERMINAL 5 PIER CONSTRUCTION

The Quonset Development Corporation’s Port of Davisville Terminal 5 Pier Design-Build Project marks the first new pier construction at Quonset in nearly 70 years. Manafort Brothers and Manafort Transit were contracted to construct the approximately 1,200-foot-long pier, which includes a 690-foot-long, variable-width pile-supported platform; a series of mooring and breasting dolphins connected by aluminum catwalks; and new blue economy support docks and a boat ramp.

Manafort’s scope of work includes installation of more than 200 steel pipe piles, pile trimming, installation of pipe jackets, concrete placement for pile plugs, excavation and backfill, placement of precast pile caps and planks, installation of underwater anodes, and construction of the concrete topping deck.

Serving as the Design-Build Prime Contractor, Manafort is self-performing a majority of the work, including pile driving, civil and utility activities, and installation of precast pier components. Manafort’s extensive port and marine construction experience continues to advance the project toward safe, on-budget, and on-schedule delivery.