Photo by Kiewit/Sundt JV

The project team completed the HOV lanes 13 months earlier than originally scheduled.

This design-build project team delivered 30 miles of HOV lanes, widened five bridges and reconstructed eight on- and off-ramps in just 274 days, a full 13 months faster than the original schedule dictated. The team divided the project into segments so that the most congested areas could be completed first to relieve traffic backups. Design review was streamlined to package submittals based on sub-segment and project discipline, allowing the team to process 472 design submittals with a lightning fast average review time of 3.2 days. Teamwork was promoted through the formation of task forces that integrated designers with construction staff. Wireless paving and intelligent compaction equipment helped increase efficiency. On average, the team designed and built 1.5 lane-miles every week and cut $15.5 million from the original budget.

Key Players

Contractor: Kiewit/Sundt Joint Venture, Phoenix

Owner: Arizona Dept. of Transportation, Phoenix

Lead Design: Parsons Transportation Group, Tempe, Ariz.

Segment 2 Design: URS Corp., Phoenix

Subcontractors: Contractors West, Mesa, Ariz.; Combs Construction, Phoenix; Commercial Metals Co., Mesa, Ariz.; RGG United Contractors, Glendale, Ariz.; Advanced Concrete Sawing and Sealing, Mesa, Ariz.; Roadsafe Traffic Systems, Phoenix; Land-Tech Landscape Construction, Glendale, Ariz.

Submitted by Kiewit/Sundt Joint Venture