 Summer Issue, June 2016
This summer is shaping up to be an extremely busy season for
the Design/Construction Division. We have a large number of projects underway
or scheduled to begin construction this summer, and we have a good number of
projects in the design process.
July 1, 2016, will bring some new organizational changes for
our division. Design/Construction will be a division of the new Engineering
Services Department, which is a result of Public Works being split into two new
departments, Transportation and Engineering Services.
If you are interested in our projects, make sure to check
our website often, as project updates are being made frequently. Also, you can
follow our projects and team on Facebook and Twitter.
 Six Forks Road Sidewalk Project:
A new sidewalk was installed along the east side of Six
Forks Road from Wake Forest Road to Coleridge Road. Contractors also built a
box culvert extension over Big Branch to provide
sufficient room for a sidewalk to run along the creek crossing, a retaining
wall between the Anderson Drive loop and upgraded handicap ramps along both
sides of the corridor.
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This summer Design/Construction has quite a few projects either already under construction
or getting ready to begin construction within a few months. To follow
construction progress and stay informed about our projects you can visit our
Street Projects and Sidewalk Projects web pages. We keep the pages updated with
the latest news and information. Larger projects also have pages with more
information including a basic construction schedule. You can find a listing and
links to current construction projects below.
 Glascock Street Traffic Calming Project:
The installation of traffic calming devices along Glascock
Street from Raleigh Boulevard to Norris Drive started in April. Contractors are
currently working on the North side of the street installing a new
sidewalk. Construction on this project
is anticipated to run through fall 2016.
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 I-40 Retrofits and Pedestrian Improvement Project:
The project will improve pedestrian infrastructure on I-40
overpasses at Buck Jones Road, Avent Ferry Road, and Rock Quarry Road.
Contractors are currently working at both the Avent Ferry Road and Buck Jones
Road locations and are scheduled to begin construction at the Rock Quarry
location soon. The project is scheduled to be complete this fall.
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Construction began on this project in mid-March and contractors
are currently working on South Street. There is a significant amount of
underground infrastructure that will be replaced during the project which will
require road closures and some night work. The Lenoir & South Street
Project web page is updated on a regular basis and is a good source for detour
information in this area.
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Construction is full steam ahead on Sandy Forks Road. Private utility relocation work is starting to wind down, and the roadway contractor is currently installing storm drainage, watermain, and curb and gutter. The majority of work to date has taken place between Six Forks Road and Lynn/Spring Forest Road, but will soon open up along the entire corridor this summer to complete grading and paving of the east bound side of the road. The Raleigh Public Art and Design Board also recently approved the final design concepts for the public art that will be located near the bioretention area just east of the entrance to The Lakes Apartments. Sandy Forks will be Raleigh’s first Greenroad, a sustainability rating system for roadway design and construction projects. Greenroads certification was established in 2010 and is a very similar process to the LEED certification program for building projects.
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 Transylvania Avenue Street Petition Project:
This This neighborhood initiated project started construction in January
2016. The roadway will be widened, and curb and gutter will be added from
Hertford Street to Beaufort Street. The corridor is now closed to through
traffic, and the installation of new storm drainage, water, and sanitary sewer
facilities are underway.
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Summer Construction Scheduled
Buck Jones Road
Widening Project:
The project is currently accepting construction bids, and we
anticipate construction to begin late this summer.
Capital Boulevard
Pedestrian Improvement Project:
White Oak Construction Company is anticipated to begin
construction on this project in June. For more information on this project and
to follow construction progress, please visit the project web page.
Mitchell Mill Road
Widening Project:
On May 3, 2016, City Council awarded the construction
contract for this project to Rifenburg Construction. Progress Energy has
started the pole relocation process along the corridor, and the contractor is
anticipating to begin work early this summer with completion in early 2018.
Sidewalk Projects:
City Council awarded a construction contract to Lanier
Construction for the Chapanoke Road, Clark Avenue and New Hope Church Road
Sidewalk Projects on May 17, 2016. Construction is anticipated to begin early this
summer with completion by early 2017.
Feature
Construction Project
On May 3, 2016, The Hillsborough Street, Phase II construction contract was awarded to Pipeline Utilities Inc. a general contractor established in 1981 and located in Raleigh.
Construction along the Hillsborough Street corridor is scheduled to begin later this month following a groundbreaking ceremony on June 9, 2016, at 10 A.M. on the corner of Hillsborough Street and Concord Street. Mayor McFarlane, Council Member Crowder, NC State Chancellor Woodson, and other guests will give short speeches, and ceremonial groundbreaking will follow.
The project limits are from the Rosemary St/Shepherd St intersection to the Gardner St. intersection. The project includes three single lane roundabouts and medians to promote a multi-modal facility that provides traffic efficiency and enhances vehicular and pedestrian safety along the corridor. Other features to keep an eye out for are bike lanes and bike racks, improved transit shelters, improved signage, street trees and planters, LED lighting, public art and even a rain garden. The renewal project will help transform Hillsborough Street into a destination and desirable place to work, shop, dine and live. It will enhance opportunities for cultural events, social gatherings, and doing business along the corridor.
To improve the communication process for this high visibility project, the City is launching a new Project website on June 1, 2016. The new site has a shorter URL, HillsboroughSt.RaleighNC.gov, and some other features that will help keep citizens informed of construction progress along the corridor. The website will be updated weekly with construction information and even features a new business along the corridor each week, reminding the public that businesses are open during construction. The Project’s Facebook page will also be updated with images and construction information on a regular basis and our Twitter account @RaleighPWDC will follow the project using #HillsboroughSt, so make sure to follow us and join the conversation. You can also sign up for a monthly e-newsletter dedicated to the Hillsborough Street Renewal Project that the Design/Construction Division will also be publishing.
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The design process of Raleigh streets and sidewalks can take several months to a few years depending on the scope of work, and involves public meetings and City Council authorization.
We maintain a listing and up to date information on all our street and sidewalk projects on both the Street Projects and Sidewalk Projects web pages. Large and Capital Improvement Projects (CIP) also have web pages with more information including a basic project schedule.
Design/Construction
projects are divided up into three categories, Capital Improvement Projects
(CIP), Petition Projects, and Major Traffic Calming Projects.
Capital
Improvement Program Projects (CIP) are projects that are City initiated and
approved by City Council as priority projects for the Raleigh area. Most CIP projects are generally along high
volume roadways and are part of the City’s Comprehensive Plan. The
Design/Construction Division is responsible for new street improvements,
sidewalk improvements, and streetscape projects.
Petition
Projects are mostly local and neighborhood street projects initiated by
property owners through the Street Petition Program and Sidewalk Petition
Program. The Petition Program(s) for new streets or sidewalks requires
signatures from a majority of the property owners along the street.
Improvements may include paving of gravel streets, the addition of curbs and
gutters or resurfacing of streets that do not have curbs and gutters, or the
construction of sidewalks. Upon completion of Street Projects, a portion of the
project cost is passed to the abutting property owners in the form of an
assessment, while Sidewalk Petition Projects have no assessment fees.
Traffic
Calming Projects result from the City’s Neighborhood Streetscape Program. The
goal of this program is to improve safety for motorists, pedestrians, and
bicyclists while improving the living conditions for residents along a street.
Streets wider than 31 feet are evaluated for the Neighborhood Streetscape
Program; streets narrower than 31 feet may qualify as a Minor Traffic Calming
Project.
The
Design/Construction Division consists of 38 employees spread over five programs
(Roadway, CADD Services, Survey Services, Contract Inspections, and
Assessments/Petitions). With each
newsletter, we like to spotlight one or two members of the team.
 L. Fernando Rios
L. Fernando Rios is an Industrial Engineer originally from Peru. He joined the City of Raleigh Right-of-Way Inspections group in August of 2007 where he inspected infrastructure construction on private development projects. In September of 2013, he joined the Design & Construction Division and became a Senior Engineering Inspector dedicated to Capital Improvement Projects.
Before moving to Raleigh, Fernando worked for the City of Manassas Public Works Department in Virginia as an Engineering Inspector and was also part of WDP & Assoc. for over eight years as a Sr. Inspector and later became the Materials Laboratory Manager where he gained valuable experience in the construction industry.
In his spare time, he enjoys spending time with his wife and three children, camping, hiking and playing soccer.
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Congratulations
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Sylvester
Percival
Once again we congratulate Sylvester Percival on his recent
promotion. Sylvester was promoted from a
Project Engineer II to Senior Project Engineer for City of Raleigh Roadway
Capital Improvement Projects.
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Have a questions or feedback email us we want to hear from you. |
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