The 11th Street Bridge Community Connection newsletter - Summer 2013 edition

7/27/2019 The 11th Street Bridge Community Connection newsletter - Summer 2013 edition

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THE 11th STREETBRIDGE COMMUNITYCONNECTION

SUMMER 2013

1301 M St. SE Washington DC 2000

202.484.2300

www.ddot.dc.gov/11thStreetBridge

Phase IAchieved

J une 27, 2013

ProjectCompletion

Fall 2015

11th STREET BRIDGE REPLACEMENT PROJ ECTACHIEVES MAJ OR INTERIM COMPLETION MILESTONE

Phase I of The Largest Project in

District Department Of

Transportation History Achieves

Substantial Completion Ahead ofSchedule and Within Budget.

The District Department of Transportation(DDOT) successfully achieved substantialcompletion of Phase I of the 11thStreet Bridge Replacement Projecton J une 27, 2013. SubstantialCompletion meaning the point ofconstruction at which all proposedroadways are completed and open totraffic. Phase I provided: the missinginterstate connections between I-695

(also known as the SE/SW Freeway) andDC-295 (Anacostia Freeway), threenew 1,000 foot river bridges overthe Anacostia River, and four newramps for motorists to access HistoricAnacostia and Capitol Hill. InNovember 2012, Roads and Bridgesmagazine named the new 11th StreetBridge its No. 1 Bridge Project of2012.

40 years and the largest project in DDOT'shistory. The project allows for

direct connections between theDC-295 (Anacostia Freeway) and I-695(SE/SW Freeway), diverting trafficfrom local roads. It also replaces thestructurally-deficient spans andprovides an enhanced emergencyevacuation route.

The initial estimated cost for the projectwas $459 million, far more than the$300 million DDOT was able to finance.In order to encourage contractors todevelop innovative ways to deliver theproject efficiently under financialconstraints, DDOT collaborating withHNTB Corporation, 11th Street Bridge

Construction Manager, used a design-build-to-budget procurement. Thisprocurement method not only significantlyreduced the cost of the project,approximately $100 million, but alsoallowed DDOT to accelerate theconstruction schedule by five (5) months.Being ahead of schedule and withinbudget is a point of pride and significantaccomplishment on this major capitalimprovement project and economicrevitalization effort, said Nick Nicholson,DDOT Chief Engineer. One of the bigtakeaways forme has been the power of

the design-build-to-budget delivermethod, which offers innovativ

alternatives to traditional techniques to dmore with less. The design-build-tobudget delivery method resulted with thwinning proposal from Skanska/FacchinaJ oint Venture with a concept whicdelivered 80% of the project for 60% othe original cost.

With the initial success of Phase I, DDOprepared a roadway user-cost analysiwhich resulted in FHWA authorization tproceed with the remaining 20 percen(Phase II) at a cost ofapproximately $9million. Phase II construction started J uly 2012 and is scheduled to bcompleted in November 2015.

The Anacostia Waterfront Initiative (AWis one of the most ambitious developmenplans in the history of the District oColumbia. The 11th Street Bridge Projeis by far the largest AWI project currentunderway. The 30-year, $10 billion AWI transforming the shores of the AnacostiRiver into a world-class waterfronInitiated in 2000, the AWI vision is treconnect to the river, so that widespreaaccess to the Anacostia River and its neparks, recreational, cultural, residentiand commercial centers is possible.

In 2009, DDOT began construction on the

new 11th Street Bridge Project, the

Districts first river bridge replacement in

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WITHIN OUR COMMUNITY...

ON-THE-J OB TRAINING PAVES THE WAY FOR GRADUATE EMPLOYMENTThe 11th Street Bridge Project Prepares Students for Successful WorkOpportunitie

Congratulations are in order for recentgraduates of the District Department ofTransportation's (DDOT) ConstructionManagement Program facilitated by the

11th Street Bridge Project team(HNTB andSkanska/Facchina, JV). The students,who were chosen from numerous DistrictWorkforce Development Programs,engaged in a condensed-course ofskills training, including classroom andfield instruction. Through this tutelage,they developed highly sought-after skills,including Occupational Safety and HealthAdministration (OSHA) training,Construction Management, QualityAssurance-Quality Control (QA\QC),concrete inspection and soil testing.

The Construction Management Programbegan its second session of training thispast April and the courses ended in May.The Department invited family members,friends, program trainers, advisors andvolunteers to join the graduates for agraduation ceremony, where certifications

of completion were awarded to thegraduates. Cheers erupted during theceremony when several of the graduateswere asked to stand and were presentedwith immediate job offers from Skanska/Facchina, JV. Many of the students areDC residents, which truly personalizesthe programs success rate and speaksvolumes regarding the Districtscommitment to providing local residentsan opportunity to learn marketable jobskills. Graduates were required to achievecompetency on final examinationscomprised of written and practical

Graduates from

left to right: CalvinTurner, Ali

Sparrow, Penny

Smothers,Randolph Diggs,

Isaac Livingston-El

components. The tests are designed measure their understanding of the hanon classroom training received. Tmaterials used in the training weequivalent to those used in the 11th StrBridge Project, further equipping eagraduate with functional technical skThank you, 11

thStreet Bridge Project,

utilizing the Districts WorkfoDevelopment Program to supplement tconstruction industry with eager, qualifgraduates who are proud to haconcretely moved further on their journeto success.

THOMESENA FOSTER:Cultivating A Personal Passion For NeighborhoodTransformation IntoProfessional Reality

Thomesena Foster, Skanska/Facchina, JV Apprentice

Enthusiasm for construction projects anda personal commitment to a successful11th Street Bridge Project are evident toanyone who meets Thomesena Foster.Witnessing how far this bridge hasdeveloped and sharing in its newformation is remarkable, says Foster.Thomesena, a native of SoutheastWashington, describes always wanting toobserve concrete progress and change in

her neighborhood and believes the 11th

Street Bridge Project is the beginning ofthe transformation for which she hoped.This project has brought manyopportunities to DC residents.

"It continues to play a key role inhelping me create a unique careerpath and discover my talents inconstruction, says Foster. Fostersinterest in construction began severalyears ago when she was unable to findwork in her former trade. I begannoticing construction sites popping upeverywhere in the city and thought itcould be a great opportunity for a personlike me to begin a career inconstruction, especially as I hadalways enjoyed working with my hands. Idecided to go for it! And go for it she did first completing DDOTs highwayconstruction apprenticeship programand later, accepting an on the jobtraining position that turned into acarpentry apprenticeship with SkanskaFacchina, J V. This project matched mewith talented mentors who areaccessible and amenable to answeringany of myquestions. They truly

encourage me to pursue my goals in theconstruction arena.

Thomesena is so committed to reaching career aspirations that she is now enroin classes at The University of the Distof Columbia, majoring in constructmanagement. Her ultimate goal is become a project manager. Thomesenanow in a position to counsel other womentering the male dominated construcfield. She advises that a best practiceto openly acknowledge your strengwhile simultaneously devising a plan address any weaknesses. Women bconsiderable talent to the table, and th

are many women who own construccompanies, spearheading major construcdevelopments, says Foster. WThomesenas ambition, excitement abthis project, and her new found vocation, is certain to be counted among succeswomen in construction.

The 11th Street Bridge ProManagement Team salutes ThomesFoster and acknowledges her as one ofPeople on the Move!

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A FALLEN HERO REMEMBERED:11th StreetOfficerKevin J .Welsh MemorialBridge

While travelling to the Police TrainingAcademy on August 4, 1986,

Metropolitan Police Department OfficerKevin Welsh and his partner tried savinga suicidal woman who had jumped fromthe 11th Street Bridge into the Anacostia

River. Officer Welshs partner and the

woman survived, but Officer Welsh, a

veteran of the Special Operations

Devision, drowned in the line of duty -

during this selfless, but extremely

dangerous rescue attempt.

Posthumously, he was commended by

President Reagan for his selflessness

bravery, dedication, and recognized as

"Person of the Week" by ABC's Nightly

News in 2002. In 2010, Officer Welsh'slegacy was further memorialized when

Officer Kevin J Welsh

LOCAL 11thSTREET BRIDGE CELEBRATION

Bridging Communities - "One City"

The Department is abuzz about theupcoming Local 11th Street BridgeCelebration, being held Saturday,September 7, 2013 from 12:00 noon to3:00 pm. The Bridging Communities -One City- themed free family eventwill span the length of the localbridge and include entertainment,exhibits, food and other activities.

This event is a celebration with apurpose. There are so manymilestones that we have achieved

with this project, says 11th Street BridgeContract Manager , Delmar Lytle. Thisis D.C.s first design-build-to-budgetinitiative and bridge replacement projectin over 40 years, not to mention all ofthe local DC residents, companies andinterns we were privileged to partnerwith on this project. There is a lot tobeproud of as we celebrate theseaccomplishments."

New updates and additions to the bridgeboth beautify it and connect the

surrounding communities. Efficiency andrelief in local traffic congestion is also

provided to the residents. The newconstruction design has widened thecorridor to create a shared-use trail forbicycles and pedestrians. The projectalso features an overlook, which willallow local pedestrian traffic to viewlandmarks such as the NationalsStadium, the Washington Monument andCapitol Hill. All of the above provideample reason to celebrate! "The Local11th Street Bridge Celebration will offerthe community an opportunity toexperience the new enhancementsfirsthand, while enjoying some of DCsfinest fare from local food trucks, a host

of festive activities and localentertainment planned for thismomentous special occasion, said TinaBoyd, member of the 11th StreetBridgeProject Management Team. The Mayorand other dignitaries will be on the mainstage, while guests can stroll the bridgevisting tabletop vendors from local andgovernment organizations. Join us forthis entertaining, informational, andfestive event to bridge the communitiestogether as "One City".

the Special Operations Division renamed

its newly acquired harbor boat in his

honor. In recognition of his heroic serviceto the City in 1986, the City Council

originally named the southwestern

portion of the 11th Street Bridge, "Officer

Kevin J. Welsh Memorial Bridge." Officer

Welsh's heroism epitomizes true

compassion and reverence for his

fellowman. In commemoration of his

dedicated service to this City, his name is

engraved on the memorial plaque which

will be affixed to the new Local 11th

Street Bridge.

Mayor Gray will participate in the

festivities.A few of the other confirmed participants forthe Local 11th Street Bridge Celebration.

COMING SOON TO A BRIDGE NEAR YOU

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