INNOVATION DRIVES RECOGNITION

The US 281 Phase 1 project has helped address the region’s immediate traffic issues, and it’s being recognized for outstanding innovation in several areas.

HNTB introduced the use of Bluebeam software to expedite submittal reviews, which was critical in meeting the nine-month design schedule.

US 281 was the first project in which input, review and comments from all stakeholders were entered in the Bluebeam system. It has since become standard practice for the TxDOT San Antonio District, and HNTB was awarded a national Bluebeam Extreme Award for this project.

743,000 hours

The project received recognition from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Texas as part of their Engineering Excellence Awards. Recognized was the team’s commitment to design and innovation that saved the client tens of millions of dollars in project and maintenance costs, enhanced that relationship and multimodal solutions.

380,000 hours

Scale and Scope

US 281 Phase 1 was the expansion and conversion of almost 4 miles of a six- to eight-lane signalized arterial into a controlled access freeway. The project included:

• Eight non-tolled freeway lanes four in each direction

• Two high-occupancy vehicle lanes one in each direction between the freeway lanes and separated from the general-purpose lanes by a 4-foot buffer area, and an elevated “T” ramp connecting the HOV lanes to a new park and ride

• Four freeway-to-freeway direct connector flyover ramps

• Four overpasses

• A frontage road flyover to allow through traffic on the frontage road to bypass a signalized intersection

Throughout the project the driving spirit was one of robust and enthusiastic teamwork.

“One of the highlights of this project was the overall management and team-oriented approach,” Dodge said. “It was a real partnership with TxDOT. We all agreed on a path forward and how to resolve it. At the end of the day, I’m very proud of everything we accomplished.”

“Early on we developed a communication protocol, and we maintained it throughout the entire project,” Gallegos said. “Our biggest focus was to make sure of that, because successful communication means a successful project.” n

Contact

CHARLIE DODGE, HNTB Project Manager (813) 498-5177 n cdodge@hntb.com