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D5 steps up to advance needed projects during funding window

Taking advantage of a surplus when lower-than-expected asphalt prices created significant savings in the department's construction program, the District 5 office and a former member now in District 6 collaborated to advance a trio of interstate pavement-preservation projects.

Doing so ultimately benefits nearly 200,000 southeastern and eastern Idaho drivers along the Interstate 15 corridor.

This spring, as the quarterly construction-program balancing meeting approached, the department's Planning Services office realized that low asphalt prices meant ITD would see significantly savings as compared to the statewide 2016 construction budget. In fact, the savings was estimated at approximately $80 million dollars in statewide bid savings.

A call went out from ITD Headquarters to the district offices for a list of projects that could be advanced to take advantage of these bid savings. District 5 answered the call.

Pictured right, top row, l to r: Aaron Baird, Denise Wright, Christy Davis. Bottom row, l to r: Tara Capson, Darcy Linford, Blaine Newsome, Brad Richards.

They identified three interstate rehabilitation projects being developed by the Engineering A group in District 5 that would be straightforward to design and had a high dollar value. Aaron Baird, an engineer with the D5 Engineering B group, intern Denise Wright (since hired as an EIT by District 1) and Christy Davis, a highly experienced construction inspector, volunteered to take on one of the projects because designing the projects would be an excellent way to develop their design skills. Brad Richards, a TSEA recently promoted from District 5 to District 6, heard about the need, so he and Karen Hiatt (D6's engineering manager) volunteered to take on another one of the projects.

Tara Capson, Darcy Linford and Blaine Newsom from District 5 Engineering A volunteered to take on the third project.

Darcy, who like Davis is an experienced construction inspector, had never designed a project before and embarked on the effort with some trepidation. Capson was able to guide her, and Newsome coached and coordinated all projects to ensure consistency.

The teams were given a delivery deadline of the first of July — three months later, they delivered $32 million in projects two days early.

ITD's Division of Engineering Services administrator, Blake Rindlisbacher, emailed the group June 30 to say "Over the past couple of days I was copied on some emails from Ed (Bala, D5 district engineer) and Dan (Harelson, D5 engineering manager) regarding D5 project delivery. You should also know that Randy Gill (ITD Planning Systems manager) stopped by this morning bragging on your achievements as well. We were able to close out the FY16 ST program yesterday as a result of your significant contribution to project delivery! I'd like to add my personal thanks to each of you for your individual efforts that helped ITD achieve our delivery goal."

The projects will be advertised using FY16 money, but contractors will likely run short of good weather before the projects can be awarded and built this year.

The three projects are:

· KN 13103 I-15, Sand Road to Interchange 89 (designed by D5 Eng. B)
· KN 13550 I-15, Arimo Interchange to McCammon Interchange (designed by D5 Eng. A)
· KN 19211 I-15, Lava Beds to Interchange 108 (designed by D6) this was companioned with KN 18784 I-15 Interchange 108 to Bonneville County Line (Designed by Blaine Newsom of D5 Eng. A).

"The main reason for our 2020 organization is to help our teams become more engaged through challenges and experience, and thanks to Dan's leadership that's happening," said Bala. "This is a significant achievement, and everyone involved deserves a ton of respect."