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Work Involves Building 16 Bridges, Repairing Four Moreule showed the progress at 39 percent com-pared to a scheduled 34 percent as of the lastpay estimate.The full dollar amount of the contract is

$141.9 million, and the project was awardedto Dragados USA, with Matt Levey servingas the deputy project manager.The completed East End Connector will

be a 3.9-mi. four-lane freeway with spacefor a future third lane in each direction.In addition to building a new roadway,

work involves building 16 bridges, rehabili-tating four others and installing four culvertson U.S. 70, N.C. 147 and other locations inproject area. The project also involves grad-ing and drainage. “This project is unique in that it contains

almost every aspect of a major heavy civilhighway project,” Richards said. “Thisincludes concrete and asphalt paving; sever-

al diverse structures (16 bridges that includeflyover structures, railroad structures, andfour rehab bridges); 21 walls (MSE walls;soil nail wall, CIP gravity wall, sound barrierwall); culvert construction (four culverts);utility construction; and subgrade stabiliza-tion.”According to NCDOT, upon the comple-

tion of the project, the East End Connector isexpected to promote economic developmentin areas along the I-85 corridor towardVirginia by improving access for people andgoods between Durham (and counties northof the city) and major employment and retailcenters, including Research Triangle Park,Raleigh-Durham International Airport andWake County.It also is projected that it will alleviate

congestion on the Durham Freeway throughdowntown Durham and to aid in divertingtraffic off local roads.

“The primary challenge on the project isthe phased construction,” Richards said.“Temporary alignments and structures mustbe constructed to maintain both vehicle andtrain traffic throughout the project as newaspects are built. Extensive coordinationwith utility owners is also required to ensurethat conflicts are avoided during construc-tion.”Richards noted that major subcontractors

include, but are not limited to CovenantTrucking Co. Inc., hauling various earth-work materials; Southeast Caissons LLC,drilled pier and pile excavation for struc-tures; Fred Smith Company, asphalt paving;Zachry Construction Corporation, concretepaving; Hardscapes Construction Inc., MSEwall installation; and Bailey Contracting,utility installation (water and sewer).Richards also reported that various equip-

ment used on the job includes, but is not lim-

ited to a John Deere 770GP motorgrader, aHamm 3410 smooth drum vibratory roller, aGrove RT700E crane, a Link-Belt RTC8065crane, a Terex HC110 lattice boom crane, aJohn Deere 470G track hoe, a Cat 815Fsheeps foot roller, a John Deere 624K loader,a John Deere 245G excavator and a JohnDeere 750K dozer.According to Richards, approximate

quantities for the project include 746,000 cu.yds. (570,357 cu m) of earth moved;227,000 tons (205,930 t) of asphalt placed;23,000 cu. yds. (17,584 cu m) of concretepavement; and 11,000 cu. yds. (8,410 cu m)of other miscellaneous concrete poured.A unique structure that the project features

is described as a “scissor bridge,” accordingto Richards. “This structure is unique in that traffic will

not travel across the end bents of the struc-ture, as is typical, but will actually run paral-

lel to them on the deck slab,” he said. “Thisbridge will carry traffic travelling along thenew East End Connector corridor (the newstretch of roadway between U.S. 70 and NC147) over NC 147.”NDOT noted that some short-term

detours and lane closures have been neces-sary during construction. These include atemporary detour alignment on N.C. 147,with some overnight lane closures during theweek and weekends on U.S. 70 and N.C.147; temporary road closures for a maxi-mum of 30 minutes between midnight and 5a.m. on U.S. 70, N.C 147, N.C. 98, Rowena

Road, Ellis Road, Miami Boulevard, LynnRoad, Pleasant Road and Angier Avenue;and a detour on Holloway Street from 9 p.m.to 5 a.m. on weekends. Lane closures areprohibited on southbound N.C. 147 between8 and 10:30 p.m. when there are events at theDurham Performing Arts Center andDurham Bulls Athletic Park. In addition,there will be no lane closures during peaktravel times of 6 to 9 a.m. and 4 to 7 p.m. onweekdays.

(This story also can be found onConstruction Equipment Guide’s website atwww.constructionequipmentguide.com.)CEG

NCDOT photoA unique structure that the project features is described as a “scissor bridge.”

NCDOT photoNDOT noted that some short-term detours and lane closures have been necessaryduring construction.

NCDOT photoIn addition to building a new roadway, work involves building 16 bridges, rehabil-itating four others and installing four culverts on U.S. 70, N.C. 147 and other loca-tions in project area.

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