Construction Management

Construction Inspection Services Emergency Repair and Interim Deck Replacement Gowanus Expressway, Brooklyn, NY

HAKS was the lead joint venture partner providing construction inspection services for the $152 million emergency repair and interim deck replacement project on the Gowanus Expressway in Brooklyn, NY.  Work extended from the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge to the Brooklyn Battery Tunnel, and on the Prospect Expressway from Church Avenue to the Gowanus/Prospect Expressway Interchange.

Major reconstruction items were deck replacement, superstructure repairs and emergency repairs to the Gowanus Viaduct; widening/replacement of the BQE Connector; and pavement rehabilitation on the Prospect Expressway/Lower Gowanus.  Initial work focused on priority deck and steel repairs to ready  the structure for the staged reconstruction to follow, and to assure the structural integrity of the viaduct as work progressed.

The work also involved seismic improvements, fatigue upgrades and bearing replacements. Construction also took place on the approaches and ramps, new lighting was installed, and the steel structures were painted, with lead abatement procedures put in place during steel cleaning.  Construction operations on the BQE Connector included excavation, pile foundations, new footings and columns, and a new superstructure to support the widened ramps.

HAKS and its joint venture partner evaluated traffic management strategies such as construction phasing, land closure restrictions, night and weekend work.  Critical Path Method scheduling was employed, which was essential to assuring on-time project delivery.  In addition, we were involved extensively with local communities and their representatives, and coordinated regularly with many New York City agencies.

The Joint Venture Team addressed a number of critical issues to assure construction quality, minimal community impact, timely completion and project cost control.  These issues included scheduling, emergency repairs, maintenance and protection of traffic, safety, modifications and repair of viaduct structures, and community relations.

The project was the second in NYSDOT Region 11 to employ a wireless system to download plans and specifications, manage costs and documents and monitor information.  Communication between the field and office was in real time.  All information, including inspector reports, forms, specification, manuals, etc., was accessed from portable tablet computers.

Project letting was in February 2006, completion in December 2009.

The project has been recognized with industry awards that include 2010 Project of the Year, American Society of Civil Engineers, Met Section; 2010 ACEC Gold Award for Engineering Excellence; and 2009 Concrete Industry Board Award of Merit in the Roger H. Corbetta Awards Program.