I-70 bridges project receives engineering excellence award

A Missouri Department of Transportation design-build project has won an engineering excellence award from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Missouri, according to a news release from the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT).

Design-build is a project delivery method that combines the design and construction phases into one contract to save time and resources.

The project replaced bridges on Interstate 70 at Garth Avenue, Range Line Street and Business Loop 70/West Boulevard in Columbia. Improving the interchanges at Range Line Street and Business Loop were also part of the project.

The design-build project received ACEC/MO’s Grand Award in the transportation category, which recognizes pre-eminent engineering achievements throughout Missouri.

The Columbia I-70 Bridges design-build project consisted of replacing six deficient bridges on I-70 with five new bridges. Three of the bridges slid into their permanent positions. The project scope also included building a double roundabout or “dogbone” interchange at Route 763/Range Line Street and dual-lane roundabouts on the north and south sides of I-70 at the Business Loop 70 interchange.

The project was completed in fewer than 14 months. Contractor Emery Sapp and Sons of Columbia and design partner Parsons of St. Louis designed and delivered the project, which began in June 2015 and was completed in August 2016.

“This project is an outstanding example of a small transportation project that packed a major punch,” said Travis Koestner, who oversaw the project for MoDOT. “A great deal of thought, time and energy went into this project, and it is rewarding to be recognized by ACEC for this effort.”

The project will go on to compete in the ACEC’s national competition.