Recent Race Creek Bridge project in District 2 breeds pair of innovations

The recently completed Race Creek Bridge replacement project, about a mile north of Riggins, spawned a pair of innovations using existing technologies to allow more efficient project management on the rural, remote landscape that dominates much of Idaho.

With a $500 investment for a signal booster and $10 per month for Hotspot service, the District 2 project team created a mobile hotspot with an ITD cell phone and a Wi-Fi hotspot. This allowed the district's inspection staff to easily transfer testing, inspection and contract administration data back to the district office and system computer servers, which saved hours of time by reducing the need to transport project information from the remote construction site, two hours one-way or four hours round trip.

The hotspot phone was kept in the test trailer on the reconstruction project.

Pictured above: The project web camera was used to review wide loads, accidents, contractor progress, timely coordination of inspections and more.

It also improved timely communication to the resident engineer and other staff for decision-making, contract payments and general contract administration tasks.

"The cost savings is not easily calculated but was significant, especially in reducing unproductive travel time," said Joe Schacher, project resident engineer. "We just took advantage of current technology to reduce errors and improve efficiency."

Schacher's team also used current remote visual-monitoring technology on the Race Creek project, allowing real-time photos of traffic and the work site that could be viewed through an internet connection. These remote web-based cameras, installed on traffi- signal mastarms, allowed staff to monitor progress, adjust signal timing for emergencies or congestion, and manage personnel time efficiently. It also provided historical visual data of the project as it progressed for future reference.

Purchase or rental costs are typically less than $600 per month.


Published 06-24-16