Construction crews will begin work by early April to repair a retaining wall on the President George Bush Turnpike near Kelly Boulevard that had shifted and resulted in buckled pavement in early 2010. During its Feb. 16, 2011 meeting, the NTTA Board of Directors awarded a contract for the repair of the wall.
The NTTA discovered a noticeable shift in the retaining wall and buckling of the pavement below on Jan. 31, 2010, along the Bush Turnpike westbound at Kelly Boulevard. NTTA personnel immediately declared an emergency and began wall stabilization activities. The only work that could be completed utilizing emergency contracts was the minimum needed to ensure the site was stabilized, and that work was completed Feb. 26, 2010. As a result of the wall shift, it has been necessary to narrow the westbound lanes of the Bush Turnpike near Kelly Boulevard in Carrollton, and traffic engineers have assured that the three lanes of traffic are safe and remain open.
Although it may appear to commuters that no work has been taking place to rebuild the wall since last February, NTTA personnel have been working on the plans and specifications for the final wall repairs. The NTTA also had to complete additional assessments to determine the cause of the wall failure before finalizing reconstruction plans.
Once a firm was selected for the final design, a schedule was developed that expedited the engineering so that the project could be turned over to a contractor for the final reconstruction as quickly as possible.
The final plans for the wall reconstruction were completed in December 2010. At that time, the construction contract was publicly bid, and bids were opened on Jan. 25, 2011. As a government entity, the NTTA follows strict rules and regulations regarding the procurement of engineering services and construction contracts.
With the approval of a construction contract by the NTTA Board of Directors this week, construction can start by early April. Repairs will be completed in about five months, weather permitting.