Technical Services

By

Nathan Haaland

Increase in Construction Costs

Asphalt $350 to $735 per ton

Labor 3.6% increase

Inflation 13% increase

Increase in Construction Costs

Concrete 3.3% increase

Steel 24% increase in last 4 years

Diesel 55% increase

Special Project

Design Division Environmental and Transportation Services Materials and Research Division Bridge Division

Special Project

Evaluated individual projects October Bid Opening November Bid Opening February Bid Opening Thin Lift Overlay, Slurry Seal, Micro Surfacing

and Seal Coat Projects

October Bid Opening and November Bid Opening

All projects were independently evaluated by a team of individuals

February Bid Opening

All projects were independently evaluated

Preventative Maintenance Projects

Thin Lift Overlay, Slurry Seal, Micro Surfacing and Seal Coat Projects

All projects were evaluated according to the Highway Performance Classification System

Decision Document

Office Holders Recommendations

Deputy Director of Engineering Decision

Sub-Grade, Base and Topsoil Edge Drain Controlled Density Backfill Topsoil Thickness Shoulder Preparation

Sub-Grade, Base and Topsoil

Edge Drain

PROS CONS

Cost With the clay soils, it could create a holding area for water that cannot drain

Water moves very slowly through Non-Permeable Base(Salvage Base)

City requests the edge drain system

Cheap Insurance(to protect Subgrade)

Sub-Grade, Base and Topsoil

Controlled Density Backfill

PROS CONS

Cost The pipe standards are changing and this may be eliminated with the new standard drawings for pipe

Backfill the same day as the pipe is placed The smaller size pipe tends to move when compaction takes place with a tamper/compactor.  The flat pipe grades required will not drain if the pipe moves

Sub-Grade, Base and Topsoil

Topsoil Thickness

PROS CONS

Cost Thinner top soil layer

Sub-Grade, Base and Topsoil

Shoulder Preparation

PROS CONS

Cost Non-aesthetically pleasing shoulder

Pavement FAA PG Oil Type Shoulders Entrance Ramps Pavement Width Pavement Thickness Prime Coat RAP

Pavement

FAA

PROS CONS

Cost Decrease Design Life

Safety issues with existing rutting

Increase Rutting and shoving

Pavement

PG Oil Type

PROS CONS

Cost Increase Rutting

Increased Pavement Shoving

Decreases the ability of the Asphalt to flow

Pavement

Shoulders

PROS CONS

Cost Aesthetics – New PCC vs. Old PCC

No change structurally Will Delay Bid Opening

Pavement

Shoulders

PROS CONS

Cost Paved shoulders on North and South ends of project

Will Delay Bid Opening

Pavement

Entrance Ramps

PROS CONS

Cost Only one entry lane

Follows Design Standards Will Delay Bid Opening

Pavement

Pavement Width

PROS CONS

Cost Future TLO Projects

Following Design Guidelines

Pavement

Pavement Thickness

PROS CONS

Cost Shoulders not protected

Decrease Design Life by 5 years and reliability by 10%

Pavement

Prime Coat

PROS CONS

Cost Prime coat will only hold aggregate for 1 year

Lower unit cost by adding multiple projects HBP needs to be placed in 1 year

Low Volume road No HBP surface with new bridge

No surcharge is required and some settlement will occur

Aesthetics

Pavement

Prime Coat

PROS CONS

Cost Aesthetics

Easier to Maintain Temporary Bypass is not sealed

Low Volume road

Pavement

RAP

PROS CONS

Cost Inconsistent RAP material

Use of existing materials

20% RAP use will decrease AC content by 1%

Miscellaneous Construction Median Paving Shared Use Path Guardrail Concrete Reinforcement over Pipes Jersey Barrier Joint Resealing

Miscellaneous Construction

Median Paving

PROS CONS

Cost Aesthetics

No change structurally The 2’ width colored brick pattern behind the curb provides a visual separation of the pedestrian from the vehicle traffic

Miscellaneous Construction

Shared Use Path

PROS CONS

Cost Is not consistent with the 10’ widths on existing Shared Use Paths

8’ is recommended only when the Shared Use Path has limited use

Will Delay Bid Opening

Miscellaneous Construction

Guardrail

PROS CONS

Cost Weed Control

Aesthetics

More Maintenance is required

Miscellaneous Construction

Concrete Reinforcement over Pipes

PROS CONS

Cost Possible settlement over pipe areas

Miscellaneous Construction

Jersey Barrier

PROS CONS

Cost Possible headlight glare

Less of a snow trap Inconsistent with the 42” height recently constructed on I-29 urban corridor in Fargo

Existing concrete barrier on I-94 is 32” Will Delay Bid Opening

Miscellaneous Construction

Jersey Barrier

PROS CONS

Cost Project will be constructed in 2 phases

Safety for Workers

Miscellaneous Construction

Joint Resealing

PROS CONS

Cost Unsealed Joints

Pavement is approximately 30 years old Shortens life of pavement

CPR is a short term fix only Weakens sub-grade

Miscellaneous Construction Detection Loops Signal Heads Decorative Lighting

Miscellaneous Construction

Detection Loops

PROS CONS

Cost Aesthetics - Future loops will have to be sawed and other loops are placed below pavement surface with the concrete reconstruction project

Miscellaneous Construction

Signal Heads

PROS CONS

Cost Inconsistent with existing signaled intersections within the city

Miscellaneous Construction

Decorative Lighting

PROS CONS

Cost It is not consistent with existing conditions

Will Delay Bid Opening

Location of Decision Documents

FileNet

Implemented to evaluate individual projects on ways to save money

Offset rising Construction Costs

Uncertain future of the Highway Trust Fund.