I-40 / I-440 Reconstruction – I-5338/I-5311 “Fortify” Design-Build
The NCDOT “Fortify” design-build project consists of the I-40 / US 64 pavement reconstruction from Jones Franklin Road to I-440 / US 64 and the I-440 / US 64 pavement reconstruction from I-40 / US 64 to north of US 64 / US 264 (Knightdale Bypass) in Wake County. The project is approximately 11.1 miles long, and the primary purpose is to replace the pavement structure. The southern portion of I-40/I-440 is 30 years old and in need of repairs. More than 100,000 vehicles travel this stretch of highway each day, putting a great deal of stress on the road’s surface.
S&ME served as the lead Geotechnical firm during both the design and construction phases of the design-build project. Responsibilities during the design phase of the design-build project included:
- Alternate Technical Concept (ATC) development and implementation.
- Geotechnical investigations and design recommendations for six multi-span bridges
- Mechanistic Empirical (ME) Pavement optimization and design.
- Mainline and Y-line roadway design recommendations.
- Temporary structures design recommendations.
During the construction phase, S&ME is providing Quality Control services for asphalt production for over 1,000,000 tons of asphalt. S&ME established and is operating a portable asphalt Quality Control laboratory adjacent to the on-site asphalt plant and is responsible for all-asphalt QC testing. In addition, S&ME is providing Quality Control sampling and testing for on-site aggregate production. S&ME technicians retrieved aggregate samples from the on-site concrete pavement crushing operation and performed gradation and liquid limit testing.
S&ME has also provided the following support services during both the design and construction phases of the “Fortify” project:
- High Speed GPR of pavement
- Investigation of existing shoulders for VE proposal
- CSL / PDA Testing
- Drilled shaft inspections
- Dispute and repair consultation for drilled shafts
- Asphalt mix designs (Virgin, RAP, RAS)
- Temporary bridge pile inspection
- Air quality permitting of asphalt plant
- Hydro demolition permitting and testing
- Phase 1 and 2 Studies of asphalt plant site