The George Washington Bridge Construction Program included the replacement of the suspender ropes, rehabilitation of the main cables, installation of a dehumidification system, replacement and rehabilitation of existing ramp and overpass structures, concrete and asphalt roadway replacement and repair, priority steel repairs, removal of lead-based paint and recoating of steel, and the repair and / or replacement of miscellaneous electrical, utility, electronic, and mechanical elements. All of the suspender ropes were being replaced over a period of twenty (20) years.
This contract provided construction inspection for the restoration of the George Washington Bridge, a program which comprised of eleven (11) projects and intended to maintain the structural health of the facility over the next decade. As a subconsultant, SI Engineering, P.C. (SIE) provided civil and structural construction management services, such as suspender rope replacement and rehabilitation of main cables, specifically related to the rehabilitation of the bridge and its approach and departure structures, including structural steel, suspension bridge structural elements, precast concrete elements, deck and roadway, signage structures, electrical and electronic systems, and construction staging to maintain existing bridge operations.
SIE was responsible for ensuring that construction was performed in accordance with contract drawings, specifications, and all applicable codes and standards. SIE staff ensured that construction was performed in a safe manner and completed on schedule; reviewed and evaluated potential items of extra work, provided justification and cost estimates and comments on and approved quantities of work in place for payment applications; and reviewed daily narratives, daily labor reports for T&M work, and controlled inspection reports. Responsibilities also included scheduling and conducting site inspections as required, attending progress meetings and final inspections, and documenting meeting minutes. SIE performed constructability reviews for future contracts and provided meaningful comments on drawings and specifications, in addition to coordinating construction work with the facility police, maintenance, and operations to ensure that contracts are completed with minimum disruption to the facility.
SIE was also responsible for ensuring that all submittals, schedules, insurance, and other contract requirements are submitted and approved by the responsible stakeholders. SIE staff kept the Resident Engineer informed on all contract discrepancies and differing field conditions and chaired meetings with contractors, facility personnel, design consultants, and other stakeholders.
