ACPA Quarter 1 2016

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Concrete Pavement Progress 8
» » A+B contracting format
Leading the administrative innovations was
theA+BContracting format where bidders not
only bid items of work but their bid carried a
time component with the contract award go-
ing to the bidder whose combinationproduced
the least overall cost and time to the owner.
» » Technological innovations
A “paperless construction document man-
agement” process, also known as “e-con-
struction,” contributed to the administrative
efficiencies, Poe said. The entire project team
managed the many construction documents
through secure MDOT document manage-
ment software as opposed to the old paper
mailing and filing system that takes much
more time to process and takes up much
more space.
Administrative technology coupled with field
technology such as automated machining for
grading operations and automatedGPS control
for the concrete pavement construction equip-
ment created an environment for other con-
struction efficiencies—saving time and cost.
» » Ongoing communications »
with public
Social media that included message boards,
Facebook and Twitter, along with a dedi-
cated I-96 website, local cable television and
newspaper articles kept the public informed
of construction schedules, detours, closures
and project news.
Communication efforts via social media sup-
ported public engagement with residents posting
their own photos and videos of the project. In
fact, 4,500 people followed the Facebook site, and
the project had 1,200 Twitter followers.
The combination of engaging stakeholders,
incorporating innovative technology and im-
plementing best practices made it possible for
the construction team to meet its lofty goal of
reconstructing the freeway in one construc-
tion season, Poe said, adding “The numbers are
impressive—700,000 square yards of concrete
pavement, 800,000 tons of aggregate, 350,000
lineal feet of drainage pipe, 22 new bridge decks
and complete reconstruction of two of the 37
bridges.” 
“ 9 6 f i x , ” c o n t .