HomeMy WebLinkAboutItem 05 APWA Project of the YearM E M O R A N D U M City of Springfield
Date: October 30, 2018
To: Mayor and Council
From: Tom Boyatt, Interim DPW Director
Subject:
Springfield Up Beat, 11/5/2018
Franklin Phase 1 APWA Project of the Year Award
This past September the City was honored to receive the Oregon Chapter of the American
Public Works Association Project of the Year Award for a public improvement project in the $5
million to $25 million category. The Award was officially presented to the City, Jacobs
Engineering (formerly CH2MHill), and Wildish Construction at the Oregon APWA Fall Chapter
Conference two weeks ago. This Springfield Upbeat item is an opportunity for the Council to
see highlights from the Franklin Project and recognize the Oregon APWA Award.
Included in the Council packet is a copy of the award application submittal. At Council I will
briefly describe some of the things that make this a special project, suitable for recognition by
our peers in Oregon.
APWA Public Works
Project of the Year Award
August 31, 2018
New Franklin Boulevard
Phase 1
1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT
Franklin Boulevard is a vital transportation link between Downtown Springfield and Eugene and serves as
a gateway to both communities, along with the University of Oregon and the Glenwood neighborhood.
The City of Springfield’s objective in re-designing and re-constructing Franklin Boulevard as a multi-modal
transportation facility was to support the redevelopment of Glenwood as a vibrant place to live, work and
visit and to provide an improved arterial connection between Springfield and Eugene.
The Franklin Boulevard Redevelopment Project is transforming the facility from an outdated state highway
into a modern urban multi-way boulevard that safely serves the needs of pedestrians, cyclists, drivers, and
supports public transportation options including buses. The project will also have a catalytic effect on land
redevelopment in the Glenwood Riverfront District that includes properties along the boulevard.
Beginning in 2007, Springfield worked with its agency partners and stakeholders to analyze possible
improvements to Franklin Boulevard to support redevelopment and new investment in the Glenwood
Riverfront. In 2008, the Springfield City Council endorsed a hybrid multi-way boulevard conceptual design
and directed staff to refine the concept and integrate it into the Glenwood Refinement Plan update. This
Refinement Plan update engaged the community in re-envisioning land use, infrastructure, and open space
in Glenwood. In 2012, the Council adopted the Refinement Plan, including establishment of a corridor
envelope and design policies for Franklin Boulevard. In 2014, Council agreed to proceed with design and
construction of the project.
The City of Springfield received State and Federal funding to complete the required environmental analysis
for the entire corridor, 15 percent design of the entire corridor, and preliminary engineering, construction
engineering, and construction for Phase 1 (from McVay Highway to Mississippi Avenue). The final design of
Phase 1 was completed in January 2017, and Phase 1 construction was completed in May 2018 (4 months
ahead of schedule).
APWA Public Works 2018 Project of the Year Award City of Springfield Page 1
To make this Redevelopment Project possible, the City had to accomplish the following key milestones:
2004: The Glenwood Urban Renewal Plan helped provide basic infrastructure for the Glenwood area
including the underdeveloped riverfront area as well as for vacant and underutilized industrial sites.
2008: The Franklin Boulevard Study considered and evaluated improvements to Franklin Boulevard. The
improvements included arterial and multi-way boulevard options. The study area extended from Interstate 5
to the west, Springfield bridges to the east, Willamette River to the north and Nugget Way to the south. The
City Council endorsed a hybrid multi-way boulevard concept.
2009: The City applied for a Tiger Grant in hopes of receiving funds for the environmental analysis, design
and construction of the project. While the City did not receive this grant award, it did help advance the
project idea and leveraged other funding sources.
2012: The City adopted the Glenwood Refinement Plan. The purpose of the plan is to provide background
information and policy direction for public and private decisions affecting the growth and development of
the Glenwood area.
2013: Franklin Boulevard was annexed into the City of Springfield. Properties adjacent to city limits (i.e.
Franklin Boulevard) may request annexation into the City. The City and consultant staff worked on the
required environmental analysis and preliminary design.
2014: The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and Springfield City Council approved the project
footprint. Detailed design for Phase 1 began.
2015: The City applied for and did not receive a Tiger VII Grant for the design and construction of phase 2,
(from Mississippi Avenue to Glenwood Boulevard). The City is developing new funding strategies.
APWA Public Works 2018 Project of the Year Award City of Springfield Page 2
2. COMPLETION DATE CONTAINED IN CONTRACT. ANY TIME EXTENSIONS GRANTED SHOULD BE
ADDRESSED IN THE SUBMITTAL:
The contract completion date was September 20, 2018. The project was completed approximately 4 months
early and was open to the public on May 24, 2018.
3. CONSTRUCTION SCHEDULE, MANAGEMENT, AND CONTROL TECHNIQUES USED:
The construction schedule was a living document as the team looked at ways to be as efficient as possible
throughout the project. Traffic control plans were evaluated as the construction was phased. Initially there
were four stages to the construction. Through continual process improvement, one of the stages of
construction was eliminated saving considerable time and contributing to the project’s completion four
months ahead of schedule.
Construction project meetings were held on a weekly basis where the team discussed safety, quality control,
traffic control, utilities, public outreach, submittals, RFI’s, potential change orders, any potential impacts or
delays, and a 2 week look ahead schedule. This allowed for the team to stay well-coordinated, foresee any
potential future problems, and address any questions or concerns. The meeting attendees included the
contractor’s project manager and superintendent, the City’s project manager and inspector, and the
consultant’s project manager, inspector, and quality control representative.
Stage 1: A detour for the turn movements was developed, and a temporary eastbound link was built so the
outer elements of the roadway could be built.
Stage 2: Once the concrete was ready for traffic, the traffic was shifted to the outside and work on the access
lane and the roundabout internal construction was able to start.
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Stage 3: When the access lane was complete, the last westbound lane was built which allowed for the
contractor to build their way out of the internal elements of the roundabouts from west to east.
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Another element that saved time on the project was having the City’s project manager on-site to provide
immediate answers to contractor questions. Additionally, community engagement aided in keeping the
construction process running smoothly with the City project manager being in regular communication with
business and property owners and the community at large. Communication was sustained at a high level
throughout the entirety of the project and included emails, phone calls, in-person meetings, and e-updates.
5. COMMUNITY NEED – A SUMMARY OF HOW THE PROJECT MET THE COMMUNITY NEEDS AS
RELATED TO ECONOMIC CHALLENGES, VALUE ENGINEERING, CREATIVE USE OF RESOURCES,
TO THE MEASURABLE BENEFIT TO THE COMMUNITY:
The project met a range of community needs, as follows:
• The hybrid multi-way boulevard design incorporated a blend of street design concepts to accomplish a
fundamental goal of vehicular movement while also creating a pedestrian-friendly environment through
on-street parking, slower traffic, and enabling buildings closer to or at the right-of-way line; as well as
providing access to high-capacity transit service and a protected bike facility;
APWA Public Works 2018 Project of the Year Award City of Springfield Page 5
4. SAFETY PERFORMANCE INCLUDING NUMBER OF LOST-TIME INJURIES PER 1,000 MAN HOURS
WORKED AND OVERALL SAFETY PROGRAM EMPLOYED DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE:
Throughout the project there were zero accidents. The goal of the safety program was for everyone to go
home at the end of their shift without having had an accident. The key elements that made achieving this
goal successful included awareness, prevention, and remedial action. The contractor’s safety plan, Wildish
Safety Policy and Program, was used as the guiding document to achieve the success of zero accidents
during the project.
• Design makes all transportation modes safer, more attractive, and more convenient – offering more
options to commuters, access to development, and more recreational opportunities;
• Saved valuable developable land by designing and constructing a double roundabout instead of one
large roundabout;
APWA Public Works 2018 Project of the Year Award City of Springfield Page 6
• Phased the design and construction of the entire corridor project to more easily facilitate securement of
funding. The overall estimated cost presented economic challenges and by breaking the entire project
into phases allows the City to show the success of phase 1 to secure funding for remaining phases; and
• High-capacity transit stations adjacent to roundabouts with an exclusive lane entering the roundabout.
APWA Public Works 2018 Project of the Year Award City of Springfield Page 7
6. SUSTAINABLE PRACTICES – USE OF ALTERNATIVE MATERIALS, PRACTICES, OR FUNDING THAT
DEMONSTRATES A COMMITMENT TO SUSTAINABILITY:
The project implemented a number of sustainable practices:
• All of the stormwater runoff is 100 percent managed on-site through three large infiltration rain gardens,
numerous stormwater planters adjacent to sidewalks, lengthy median stormwater planters, and pervious
concrete in the access lane. Stormwater management practices for the facility meet the needs of healthy
rivers and ecosystems;
• Native landscaping elements reduced the impervious area of the project;
APWA Public Works 2018 Project of the Year Award City of Springfield Page 8
• Decorative lighting fixtures were used throughout the project. These fixtures were recycled from
San Diego and retrofitted to include LED lighting as LED lighting has been demonstrated to be more
energy efficient and cost effective; and
• Concrete was chosen for the project surface to minimize overall maintenance and extend the life of
the facility.
APWA Public Works 2018 Project of the Year Award City of Springfield Page 9
7. ENVIRONMENTAL CONSIDERATIONS INCLUDING SPECIAL STEPS TAKEN TO PRESERVE AND PROTECT
THE ENVIRONMENT, ENDANGERED SPECIES, ETC., DURING THE CONSTRUCTION PHASE:
The project took the following steps to preserve and protect the environment during the
construction phase:
• Removed trees in compliance with the Migratory Bird Act;
• Employed erosion control measures including silt fences and inlet protection; and
• Used asbestos abatement process for the 6 buildings that were demolished.
APWA Public Works 2018 Project of the Year Award City of Springfield Page 10
8. COMMUNITY RELATIONS – A SUMMARY OF THE EFFORTS BY THE AGENCY, CONSULTANT AND
CONTRACTOR TO PROTECT PUBLIC LIVES AND PROPERTY, MINIMIZE PUBLIC INCONVENIENCE AND
IMPROVE RELATIONS:
Community engagement dating to 2004 has been a crucial component of this project, and the City has
continued to listen to, address, and update business owners, property owners, and the traveling public
through the construction phase as well. Key elements of the communication plan implemented during
design and construction were:
• Frequent in-person visits and phone calls between City project manager and corridor property/
business owners;
• Provision of consistent, reliable information and City contact information;
• Mailings to property/business owners/area residents;
• E-Updates to Interested Parties list;
• Website, http://newfranklinblvd.org with comment function and specific Public Involvement page,
http://newfranklinblvd.org/public-involvement/;
• Timely response to all submitted comments and questions;
• Project information displayed at local high-visibility locations;
• Media (print, radio, TV) to reach commuters;
• Electronic Message Boards placed in nearby roadways; and
• Flyer outreach to low-income, elderly, and persons with disabilities.
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APWA Public Works 2018 Project of the Year Award City of Springfield Page 12
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Final outreach piece:
9. UNUSUAL ACCOMPLISHMENTS UNDER ADVERSE CONDITIONS, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO,
ADVERSE WEATHER, SOIL OR SITE CONDITIONS, OR OTHER OCCURRENCES OVER WHICH THERE WAS
NO CONTROL:
Unusual circumstances the project encountered during construction included:
•Higher amounts of asbestos were found than expected throughout the buildings that were demolished
to enable construction;
•Contaminated soils were identified and remediated; and
•Drunk drivers as well as a high speed chase that ended at the project site.
APWA Public Works 2018 Project of the Year Award City of Springfield Page 14
10. ADDITIONAL CONSIDERATIONS YOU WOULD LIKE TO BRING TO THE ATTENTION OF THE PROJECT
REVIEW PANEL SUCH AS INNOVATIONS IN TECHNOLOGY AND/OR MANAGEMENT APPLICATIONS
DURING THE PROJECT. INCLUDE A DESCRIPTION OF SPECIAL ASPECTS OF THE PROJECT:
Additional special aspects of the project included:
•The purchase of land from 22 properties, relocation of 3 businesses, demolition of 6 buildings, and 2
buildings that were cut and refaced due to the right-of-way needs of the project;
•A SWAT training that was able to be held prior to the buildings being demolished;
APWA Public Works 2018 Project of the Year Award City of Springfield Page 15
•Exclusive bike/ pedestrian facilities as well as green pavement markings which provide a higher degree
of safety compared to placing bicycle facilities in the roadway;
•Black powder coated signs and light poles that aided in aesthetic uniformity, eye level signs, and
stamped truck aprons which all help in providing a sense of place which is important for the
redevelopment of the riverfront;
APWA Public Works 2018 Project of the Year Award City of Springfield Page 16
•A portable Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacon (RRFB) which was used throughout the project. The
RRFB was moved to areas of greatest need throughout the project as construction advanced to address
pedestrian safety during the project;
•Permanent RRFB’s were installed at the multi-lane crossings at the roundabouts to increase the visibility
of pedestrians at the roundabouts;
•Design adjustments were made to enable property access in the short term while not compromising
ultimate design; and
APWA Public Works 2018 Project of the Year Award City of Springfield Page 17
•Inclusion of modern roundabout designs in lieu of traffic signals which have been shown to be the safest
form of traffic control at intersections.
APWA Public Works 2018 Project of the Year Award City of Springfield Page 18
Appendix
Before and After Pictures
of Project Area
Before Photos:
After Photos:
Photo by Dave Lamb at A1 FlyCam