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Maintenance Team Earns Public Works Project of the Year Award Quick Action Following Wall Shift Leads to Industry Recognition
The American Public Works Association honored the NTTA’s Maintenance Department with a distinguished “Public Works Projects of the Year” award for its quick, safe and effective action after a retaining wall shift along the President George Bush Turnpike in January 2010.
“Your selection puts you in a very elite group of winners, and APWA is proud to have you and your partners on this project to epitomize the public works profession and our association,” said AWPA chapter coordinator Rhonda Wilhite.
The emergency stabilization project began on Feb. 1, 2010. Crews worked 24 hours a day, seven days a week to stabilize the wall and minimize interruptions to the travelling public. The only exception was Super Bowl Sunday when severe inclement weather prevented crews from working.
With many different consultants and subcontractors working around the clock, it was important to ensure the safety of all involved, starting with motorists who were using the adjoining roadways.
Heavy equipment and trucks operated within inches of each other during both day and night operations without incident. Frontage road surfaces were broomed and washed frequently to remove mud as equipment entered and exited the project site, ensuring traction for motorists and workers.
“The ability of an organization to respond quickly, thoughtfully and appropriately in an emergency situation is a true reflection of business continuity capacity. Our team acted with exceptional speed and clarity to minimize the negative effect of a major incident. These characteristics are a source of pride for the entire organization,” said Clayton Howe, NTTA assistant executive director of operations.
At completion, the contractor said there were no injury incidents -- not even a single band-aid was used during the 26-day project.
The APWA is a nearly 29,000-member organization chartered in 1937 that focuses on public works projects.
Permanent repairs along the Bush Turnpike near Kelly Boulevard began April 28. Under the contract, the contractor has 150 days (weather permitting) to complete the repairs to the walls near Kelly Boulevard. The contractor has begun work on temporary shoring design submittal for engineer approval.
The reconstruction project is expected to cost approximately $2.8 million. Once the project is complete, the main lanes will be returned to their final configuration with standard shoulders on either side. The current construction configuration is expected to remain in place during the majority of the 150 calendar day project schedule. Access to the project work site will be from the westbound frontage road.
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