ASHE Potomac Section Newsletter Spring/Summer 2013

THE DELINEATOR

Board Officers & Members

President,

Dennis Morrison, Volkert

1st Vice President David Hieber, Dewberry

2nd Vice President

Peter Vigliotti, VDOT

Secretary, Tim Belcher, Dewberry

Treasurer

Dave Palfrey McDonough Bolyard Peck

Director 2013-14 Phil Lohr, Volkert

Director 2013-14

Adam Welschenbach Rinker Design Associates

Director 2012-15 Leonard Coleman

Prince William County

Director 2012-15, Mark Warden, So-Deep

Director 2013-2016

Wayne Ma DMY Engineering Consultants

Director 2013-2016

Carolyn Witzig Rinker Design Associates

Past President,

Anand Patel, RK&K

Young Member Coordinator, Robert Cade

Parsons Brinkerhoff

Articles and Ideas Welcome!

I hope everyone had a great summer. As we begin our

2013/2014 year, I am excited to share with you our plans

for this year’s ASHE Dinner Program. It is our goal to

provide you with transportation information that will help

you grow professionally, enhance your knowledge of what

is happening in our industry regionally, and provide you an

opportunity to network with your Clients and peers.

Our program this year consists of the following:

Eastern Federal Lands Highway Division Programs

VDOT NOVA District Administrator / VDOT Programs

DDOT Chief Engineer / DDOT Programs

VCTIR – VA Research Update

General Assembly Update

Fairfax / Prince William / Loudoun County Panel

Northern Virginia Transportation Alliance Presentation

To Be Announced Field Trip to a Transportation Project

Baseball – for the fun of it….

ASHE is committed to the support of our industry and profession. We also

believe in giving back to the community in which we live and serve and at each

monthly meeting we choose a community service agency to support.

We will be having a dinner meeting at the NOVA District office and others at

various venues to be announced.

I encourage you to get “involved” with ASHE, to invite a friend, and to learn more

about ASHE and the vibrant, local transportation industry we support.

It is only through ASHE membership and attendance that we are able to support

our goal and provide monthly key industry speakers.

We appreciate those faithful members who already support ASHE and look

forward to continuing to expand our programs and industry participation.

Get involved with ASHE and see how you can grow with us.

Sincerely,

Dennis Morrison, ASHE Potomac President

UPCOMING MEETINGS AND EVENTS

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Members know that attending the monthly ASHE Potomac meetings is a great way to learn more about what

is going on in our industry, network with colleagues, and enjoy a meal...but did you also know that you can

earn 1 Professional Development Hour (PDH) simply by attending a meeting and completing a

learning objectives questionnaire! Mark your calendars for the upcoming ASHE Potomac meetings:

October 16, 2013— VDOT Nova District (@ NOVA District Office)

December 2013– Annual ASHE Christmas Party

Meetings are held are at P.J. Skidoos in Fairfax and begin at 5:30 pm with networking and a cash bar.

Dinner begins at 6:30 and the program follows at approximately 7:00 pm.

P J Skidoos is located at 9908 Fairfax Boulevard, Fairfax, VA 22030. (www.pjskidoos.com)

We are always interested in your comments and suggestions for meeting topics, focus and speakers.

Please contact Dave Hieber at dhieber@Dewberry.com with your ideas.

STEPHEN M. EVANS, P.E. MEMORIAL SCHOLARSHIP

The recipients of the 2013 Stephen M. Evans, P.E. Memorial Scholarship are Zach Barlow and Greg

Pope.

Zach Barlow Zach is pursing an engineering degree at Virginia

Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia

Tech). He received a $2,000 scholarship and will be

entering his Junior year in September 2013. He also

participates in the Virginia Department of Transportation

(VDOT) Engineering Scholarship Program which

includes working for VDOT during the summer breaks.

Zach plans to continue to working for VDOT after

graduation.

Greg Pope Greg is pursing an engineering degree at Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University (Virginia Tech).

He received a $1,500 scholarship and will be entering his Senior year in September 2013. Greg will be in-

terning with Norfolk Southern this summer and plans to pursue a career in railroad engineering after graduat-

ing in May 2014.

Zack Barlow and proud parents, Mary and Brittany Evans

and Peter Vigliotti

FEATURE - INTERSECTION NO LONGER DUBBED THE WORST IN NORTHERN VIRGINIA Matt Weaver, PE, Project Manager, MBP

Matt can be reached at 703-641-9088 or via email at mweaver@mbpce.com.

With various transportation projects currently underway, the Virginia Department of

Transportation (VDOT) has been alleviating many headaches for commuters in the Northern

Virginia area. The Fairfax County Parkway/Fair Lakes Parkway intersection is no exception.

Once dubbed the “worst intersection in Northern Virginia”, that honor will now be passed on,

and for good reason.

More than 66,000 commuters travel through this area on a daily basis. The at-grade

intersection was destined to be rebuilt as a grade-separated interchange. Originally planned in

the 1980s and with assistance from approximately $40 million in stimulus (ARRA) funding,

the $69.5 million project was advanced by two years, thereby significantly improving traffic

flow in Fairfax County ahead of its intended schedule. Currently under budget, the three-year

project, due to reach final completion in October 2013, is a pillar of success for all stakeholders

involved.

With careful planning and teaming arrangements in place, commuters gained the

advantage of the positive impacts after each construction phase. While formal partnering was

required during the project, the entire team worked so well together that communication flowed

seamlessly and any potential issues were solved well in advance so as to not negatively impact

the project. Two years after the notice to proceed, two new bridges, MSE walls, soldier pile

walls and a soil nail wall were built; 500,000 cubic yards of earthwork were applied to four

ramps and the bridge approaches; nearly 1,000 linear feet of sanitary sewer line was relocated

under the existing parkway; and more than 120,000 tons of asphalt was placed on a soil cement

subgrade.

Designers, VDOT and the contractor worked very closely to overcome the challenge

of designing and constructing the new roadway section adjacent to the existing roadway, a

process that required a variable depth asphalt overlay. A value engineering effort led to

rephasing the original sequence of construction, thereby consolidating phases and reducing

construction time and costs.

Traffic lights were replaced with bridges, roads were strengthened, and the newly

constructed split diamond interchange took full advantage of the space available in the median,

which meant there was limited right-of-way acquisitions required to construct the project. Lo-

cal and Parkway traffic were separated and as a result, traffic flow improved. The four-lane

Fairfax County Parkway increased to six lanes, with precast bulb T-girder bridges located at the

intersections of Fair Lakes Parkway and Monument Drive, a move that eased congestion on the

heavily traveled crossroads.

Aesthetic components such as architectural finishes, ornamental lighting, and land-

scaping were designed to preserve the look of the Fair Lakes community. The Fair Lakes

League, VDOT and the contractor had to work together to achieve the same exact ashlar finish

on 65,000 square feet of soundwall panels, 29,000 square feet of MSE panels and 31,000

square feet of cast-in-place walls, not an easy accomplishment with multiple precasters and a

form liner involved.

With completion just around the corner, Northern Virginia commuters can now get to

work easier, faster and with less stress thanks to all the stakeholders involved.

Matt Weaver has more than 15 years of experience in the heavy highway construction industry

including working with VDOT on design-build and conventional projects. He has an extensive

background in field work, construction sequencing/scheduling and inspection, construction

management, cost estimating, and quality control and quality assurance.

Owner: Virginia Department of Transportation

Prime Consultant: RK&K, Fairfax, VA

Subconsultant: MBP, Fairfax, VA

Subconsultant: Keville Enterprises, Herndon, VA

General Contractor: Shirley Contracting

Designer of Record: WRA

ASHE - SPRING/SUMMER 2012-13

APRIL MEETING Karl Roher, Deputy Project Manager Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority Dulles Rail Phase 2 Project Karl reviewed the specifics of Phase 2: Wiehle Avenue through Dulles Airport to Ashburn (11.4 miles) Six Stations (Reston Town Center, Herndon, Innovation Center, Dulles Airport, Route 606 and Route 772) 5 Parking Garages Rail Yard and Maintenance Facility Procurement Approach and Status, and Project Schedule

(Completion date 2018) MAY MEETING Tom Biesiadny, Director Fairfax County Department of Transportation Implementing HB2313 in Northern Virginia Tom explained the history behind the Northern Virginia Transportation Authority (NVTA) and the impact of HB2313 on the local area. The presentation included: A Summary of the state-wide and local components of HB2313 Implementation of HB2313 through the NVTA Initial Project Selection: criteria, process and potential projects Specific projects including transit, highways and multi-model NVTA partnership organizations (municipalities, state agencies and METRO) At the May meeting Past President, Mo Kim performed the swearing in of the ASHE Potomac Section’s 2013-2014 Board Officers and Directors.

3RD ANNUAL ASHE POTOMAC GOLF OUTING SCOTTISH GOLF IN NOVA - MINUS THE KILTS

ASHE NATIONAL CONFERENCE JUNE 2013 The 2013 ASHE National Conference, held in the beautiful Lake Placid,

New York, offered a range of planned activities, keynote speakers, and

wonderful scenery. Some of the conference highlights:

A bobsled competition at the 1980 Olympics bobsled track

Speaker Victor Mendez, A Federal Highway Administrator

- Key speaking points:

- Transportation needs to be a higher priority

- Constructing bridges and highways helps to

revitalize the nation and create more jobs

- The goal in mind is to create safer roads and

infrastructures, while staying economically and

environmentally friendly

Speaker Thomas Madison of the New York Thruway Authority

-Key speaking points:

- Tappen Zee Bridge Replacement

- Should be able to last 100 years without major upkeep and maintenance

- With eight lines, it was designed to hold mass transportation, including commuter bus lanes

Ski aerial show at the Olympic Ski Jump Facility with BBQ, Olympic torch lighting ceremony and fire-

work display

Other activities included: Golf outing, open skating on the 1980 ice rink, and the annual banquet and

awards, closing with gala entertainment.

The 2013 National Conference proved to be another successful event and was a great way to take part in exclusive activi-

ties only available in Lake Placid!

The four members from the ASHE Potomac Chapter Speaker Victor Mendez

THANK YOU TO OUR 2012– 2013

GOLD SPONSORS

We are currently seeking 2013-2014

Gold Sponsor Partners

Information is available on our website at:

www.ashepotomac.org/sponsorship

SPRING/SUMMER EVENTS RECAP

ASHE Potomac organized outings to two local sporting events which were well-attended by members old and

new. Thirty people came together to cheer on the George Mason University men’s basketball team against Tow-

son in February, and 46 people watched the Washington Nationals take on the Arizona Diamondbacks in June.

Tuesday, February 26th

Those who braved the heavy rains and arrived early to the Patriot Center for the GMU basketball game were

rewarded with Gabe Norwood bobbleheads. Those who stayed late got to witness the nail-biting final minutes of

the second half and five minutes of hard-fought overtime. Though ASHE Potomac and the rest of the crowd

were cheering loudly for the Patriots, GMU fell just short with an 85-81 loss to Towson in their final home game

of the season. Despite the loss, everyone had an enjoyable time watching an exciting game and talking with col-

leagues and friends.

Wednesday, June 26th

Rain continued to be a theme for ASHE Potomac, and 38 people gathered at Fairfax County Government Cen-

ter with umbrellas and rain jackets in tow to catch the bus to Nationals Park. The bus arrived promptly, and the

excellent driver navigated us safely through traffic to arrive an hour before game time. Luckily the sun came

out allowing everyone to enjoy festivities inside the stadium or a brew or two at the Bullpen prior to the first

pitch. In total, ASHE Potomac attendance was 46 strong and $1 hot dog consumption was easily in the triple

digits.

ASHE Potomac enjoyed another close game, but this time the good guys won. Arizona scored two in the first

inning which proved to be their only runs of the game. A Ryan Zimmerman double brought in the Nats’ first

score. In the fourth inning, Abe Lincoln pranced across the finish line for yet another win in the Presidents’

Race. A Nats’ homer in the bottom of the fourth tied up the game, and another Zimmerman at-bat brought

home the winning run in the fifth. Despite a round of rain in the eighth inning, everyone stuck it out to watch

the Nationals seal the victory. We hopped on the bus and were back at the Government Center by 10:30pm.