Pulse Point: Ongoing Soil Testing and Temporary Lane Closures

WHO:  City of Richmond Department of Public Works

WHAT:  Temporary Lane Closures

WHEN:  Tuesday, July 5 through Friday, July 8, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 
Please note that this activity is part of the Design-Build process and is being performed in preparation for future construction. Construction of the Pulse has not commenced. This limited work will be performed along small portions of the Pulse route within City of Richmond limits, from Staples Mill in the West to Orleans Street in the East.

•  Eastbound and westbound Broad Street between Staples Mill Road and 14^th Street

•  East Main Street between 14^th Street and Orleans Street

WHERE:  The following areas will be impacted:

BRIEF: There will be intermittent and temporary lane closures (1-2 lanes) at various locations for ongoing soil testing.  The work is being performed in preparation for future construction of the “Pulse” Bus Rapid Transit project.

BACKGROUND: Pulse Design-Build (DB) Contractor work will be limited to the immediate location of the soil testing.  These temporary work zones will involve closing one travel lane (minimum) and are anticipated to last for a short period of time (usually less than one hour) with expected minimal impacts.  Please follow travel signage around mobile lane closures and be aware of workers in the field for everyone's safety.  Access to destinations will still be open. 

Please also note that some of these temporary lane closures may not be needed where existing lane closures are already in place for other, unrelated projects happening in the City. For updates on preparation activities and future construction plans, please visit the Pulse Construction Updates page: http://www.ridegrtc.com/brt/construction-info . The DB Team shall minimize disruption to businesses and residents during construction. Any activity that would affect parking, loading zones, access, utilities and other business impacts shall receive prior approval from VDOT and ensure continuous access shall be provided to all businesses at all times. All the Project Partners are committed to providing prompt information to ensure a smooth construction phase for businesses, residents and patrons of the region.

Pulse Point: Brief, Minor Pre-Construction Activities Continue

WHO:  City of Richmond Department of Public Works

WHAT:  Temporary Lane Closures

WHEN:  Monday, June 27 through Friday, July 1, from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. 

WHERE:  The following areas will be impacted:

·         Eastbound and westbound Broad Street between Staples Mill Road and 14^th Street

·         East Main Street between 14^th Street and Orleans Street

BRIEF: There will be intermittent and temporary lane closures (1-2 lanes) at various locations during collection of soil borings for testing.  The borings are being performed as a pre-construction activity of the “Pulse” Bus Rapid Transit project.

BACKGROUND: Pulse Design-Build (DB) Contractor work will be limited to a small, focused area.  These temporary work zones will involve closing one travel lane (minimum) for a small stretch (usually less than 100 feet long) and for only a short period of time (usually less than one hour) with expected minimal impacts.  Please follow travel signage around mobile lane closures and be aware of workers in the field for everyone's safety.  Access to destinations will still be open.

Please note that this activity is part of the Design-Build process and pre-construction activities. Construction of the Pulse has not commenced. This limited work will be performed along small portions of the Pulse route within City of Richmond limits, from Staples Mill in the West to Orleans Street in the East. A few borings may be necessary at the Willow Lawn station site in Henrico County.

Please also note that some of these temporary lane closures may not be needed where existing lane closures are already in place for other, unrelated projects happening in the City. For updates on pre-construction activities and future construction plans, please visit the Pulse Construction Updates page: http://www.ridegrtc.com/brt/construction-info . The DB Team shall minimize disruption to businesses and residents during construction. Any activity that would affect parking, loading zones, access, utilities and other business impacts shall receive prior approval from VDOT and ensure continuous access shall be provided to all businesses at all times. All the Project Partners are committed to providing prompt information to ensure a smooth construction phase for businesses, residents and patrons of the region.

Pulse Point: Brief, Minor Pre-Construction Activities Next Week

From Monday, June 20, 2016 through Wednesday, June 22, 2016, the Pulse Design-Build (DB) Contractors will be conducting brief pre-construction activities as part of the scope validation process.  Their work will be limited to a small, focused area of quick activity.  This brief, temporary work will involve closing one travel lane (minimum) for only a short period of time with expected minimal impacts.  Please follow travel signage and be aware of workers in the field for everyone's safety.  Access to destinations will still be open. 

Why is this brief work being done?  The DB Team needs to collect soil borings from the travel lanes and the medians where some of the stations will be.  Please note that this activity is part of the Design-Build process and pre-construction activities. Construction of the “Pulse” has not commenced.

As a reminder, this limited work will be performed along small portions of the Pulse route within City of Richmond limits, from Staples Mill in the West to Orleans Street in the East.

Pulse Point: June 9, 2016

“Pulse Point” updates will be issued increasingly once construction begins. A Pulse Point indicates activity and energy! Keep your finger on these Pulse Points, and you’ll always be in the know of what’s going on, where and why.

Where are we now? 

We have a contractor! Here’s what happened. The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) completed its procurement process for a Design-Build Team in April 2016. On April 20, 2016 the Commonwealth Transportation Board ratified the decision to move forward with Lane Construction Corporation / STV Design for the Design Build contract.  VDOT approved this award to the Lane / STV Team to complete Final Design and administer construction with a bid of $47,295,500.  To view the award letter click:

http://www.virginiadot.org/business/resources/APD_Docs/Award_Letters/108069_-_Award_Letter.pdf

Finally on April 29, 2016 a Notice to Proceed was sent to the Lane / STV Team.  Since then, the Team has been working on final design and scope validation. More on that in a moment.

Just to be clear, everything publicly approved in the design is still there?

Yes! The Lane / STV Team’s plan reflects everything presented to the public in 2015 and approved unanimously by the City of Richmond’s Urban Design Committee and Planning Commission in November 2015. No design feature was sacrificed. The project will be delivered exactly as approved by the Project Partners. Huzzah!

Does the Lane / STV Team have experience with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) projects? 

Yep, they know what they’re doing. The Lane / STV Team share experience on BRTs, including the Alexandria Bus Rapid Transit project (also a TIGER project).  They demonstrated through their Technical Proposal a clear understanding of the scope of work including systems, utilities, stakeholder communications, and infrastructure, as well as the related risks and challenges. 

The Lane / STV Team is also known for their effective public outreach and efficient Design-Build construction process.  Lane has received two notable awards, which include:

o   Public Outreach: VDOT and Megaprojects, Commonwealth of Virginia Award of Excellence, Integrated Communications

o   Construction Management Association of America 2013 Project Achievement Award

Here are some examples of Lane / STV Team's previous (LRT or BRT) experience:

LANE and STV designed and constructed the traffic signals, pavement markings, and signage for the Alexandria BRT Project.

STV developed the technical specifications for the TSP on SANDAG/MTS buses similar to what is required for this project.

Is the Lane / STV Team familiar with the Richmond region?

Yes, this is home turf. Many of the Lane / STV Team Members live in and/or work in the Richmond region.  They understand the fabric of the region and are personally invested in the success of the project. 

Okay, so when is construction starting?

The projected start date of construction is October 2016, depending on how quickly the scope validation and final design process is completed. Scope validation is when the Team independently verifies site conditions of the corridor prior to construction. This process is expected to end June 24, 2016 with specific construction details available later this Summer. Final design is occurring now through August 2016. Final design is exactly what it sounds like – the Team is taking the design documents already vetted by the public and approved and is completing any remaining design elements. Remember, the stations, locations, vehicles and general look and feel of the Pulse is already designed.

Great, so when can I ride?

October 2017!