Best Highway Project (1 of 2 awards)
Safety Improvements to 13 Separate Intersections in Central South Carolina
Contractor: C.R. Jackson, Inc., Columbia, S.C.
This federal aid design-build intersection safety project involved 13 intersections across Aiken, Clarendon, Lexington, Orangeburg, Richland, and Sumter counties. C.R. Jackson was responsible for design, permitting, right of way acquisition, utility relocation coordination and construction—for all 13 projects, under one contract, in a very condensed timeframe.
With more than 100,000 total man hours logged, C.R. Jackson reported no lost time incidents and no construction related accidents. And, all 13 intersections were substantially completed within original budgeted construction time and within budget.
Best Highway Project (2 of 2 awards)
The I-85 Yadkin River Bridge, Salisbury, N.C.
Design-Build Team: The Joint Venture of Flatiron/Lane
With Partners in Excellence STV/Ralph Whitehead, Charlotte, N.C. and HDR Engineering, Raleigh, N.C.
This project replaced a severely deteriorated, 60-year old bridge eight months ahead of schedule and $44 million below the owner’s budget. NCDOT’s RFP required great resourcefulness from the design-build team, as the bridge crosses five current and future railroad tracks, carrying 60 trains per day, including freight rail, Amtrak and a future high speed rail.
The project team worked an impressive three and a half years without any Notice of Violations, a huge accomplishment on a project surrounded by environmentally sensitive areas. At its peak, more than 200 people worked 24/7, six to seven days a week. Crews finished the half-mile bridge in roughly 14 months.
Best Utility Project
R.B. Simms Water Treatment Plant and Lake Blalock WTP Improvements
Design-Build Team: Crowder Construction Company, Charlotte, N.C.
With Partners in Excellence URS (the former BP Barber), Morrisville, N.C. and Constantine Engineering, Fort Walton Beach, Fla.
Spartanburg Water System was looking to ensure an adequate water supply for at least two generations, and identified nearly $44 million in technological and electrical improvements. However, their budget was only two-thirds of that figure. They proceeded with an “alternate delivery method”—a first for this owner, as a qualifications-based progressive design-build project. Not only was the project successfully completed safely with no interruption in service and on schedule, but it was completed under budget.
The project was completed with zero lost work days and zero restricted days. Crowder’s site-specific safety plan resulted in 129,501 man hours worked and only one recordable accident.
Best Building Project (1 of 2 awards)
Duke University Baldwin Auditorium Renovations, Durham, N.C.
Contractor: LeChase Construction Services, Durham, N.C.
With Partners in Excellence: Brown Brothers Plumbing & Heating Company, Durham, N.C. and Comfort Engineers, Durham, N.C.
The transformation of Baldwin Auditorium into an acoustically superior world-class musical venue was a LEED Silver-registered project. The existing venue had poor acoustics and the LeChase team virtually remade it—changing the very shape of the interior, redesigning and relocating mechanical equipment configuration and renovating the unusual coffered dome. Those were complemented by a focus on intricate structural modifications and special finishes, all through an intricate sequenced process.
A common complaint of Baldwin patrons had been noise and vibrations of the mechanical equipment located directly below the auditorium. The new system allows air to permeate upward through 75,000 minute holes drilled in the stage floor to gently rise and cool/warm onstage performers. More than 250 swirl-air diffusers in the floor and under the seating area provide low pressure air to the audience. The result was zero vibration and silent delivery of conditioned air to the auditorium.
Best Building Project (2 of 2 awards)
The Chatham Country Courthouse, Pittsboro, N.C.
Contractor: H.M. Kern Corporation, Greensboro, N.C.
With Partner in Excellence Mechworks Mechanical Contractors, Greensboro, N.C.
The historic Chatham County Courthouse, known to thousands as Chatham County’s front porch, burned on March 25, 2010. Carolinians and history buffs held their breath waiting to hear if it could be salvaged.
Once underway, interior reconstruction included a new steel-framed roof system, interior concrete floors, extensive millwork and all new finishes. Parts of the building were returned to their original appearance, with remaining historical materials protected. Of course, the renovation also included installation of a fire suppression sprinkler system.
To keep as much original detail as possible, modern HVAC, electrical sprinkler and plumbing systems were installed in 130-year-old areas not designed for such systems, often requiring customization. H.M. Kern’s partnership with Mechworks was key. From the start, H.M. Kern entered into an agreement with OSHA’s consultation services to ensure the safety of not only its workers but also the public. The result was no injuries, fatalities or citations.
Build with the Best
North Carolina Representative Mike Hager, House Majority Whip
Mike Hager is a self-employed engineer who represents Rutherford and Burke Counties for the Republican Party. Hagar is credited for his leadership on NC General Assembly House Bill 476, the rewrite of the state’s underground safety/damage prevention laws. The new law, effective October of 2014, will move North Carolina from one of the weakest states concerning underground safety and damage prevention to what some say will be the model state program. It will save lives, minimize injuries and protect the public as well as underground facilities. Passage of this complex legislation in North Carolina was a top legislative goal for Carolinas AGC. The bill passed the NC House and Senate unanimously. CAGC salutes Rep. Hager for his efforts in advancing the construction industry.
For additional Pinnacle Award coverage and photos, visit http://www.cagc.org/get_involved/awards_pinnacle_13winners.cfm.
Source: Carolinas Associated General Contractors
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