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Innovative process helps raise Park West bridge
By Holly Fisher
Supplements Editor
When you’re building a housing development, time is money. So it was no surprise when LandTech Inc. approached Collins Engineers Inc., wanting to move quickly on the design and construction of a private bridge linking its Park West development to Park Island. LandTech, a real estate development, marketing and management firm out of Columbia, plans to put about
30 homes on Park Island—but first it needed a bridge.
The solution was an innovative process Jeff Rowe, regional manager at Collins Engineers, described as “quasi-design-build.”
Collins Engineers, which specializes in bridge design and inspections, developed the conceptual plans and then asked three contractors familiar with bridge design to bid on the project, explained Rowe.
The plans weren’t complete, so contractors were asked to submit a basic bid, Rowe said. The developer and engineering firm spent two hours with each contractor brainstorming what could and couldn’t be done and looking for ways to modify the project.
“We wanted to invite the contractor to find any innovation—a way to do (the project) faster,” he said.
Once Cape Romain Contractors Inc. was selected for the project, the next step was figuring out how to get the crew on the ground quickly, Rowe said. The piles were ordered and the construction process began, even though Collins Engineers had yet to complete the design plans.
Despite looking at other design options, the best—and cheapest—design called for slabs separated by a series of piles every 30 feet. The 1,500-foot bridge has gothic-style railings and lighting fixtures.
A sidewalk will line one side of the two-lane bridge. Water and sewer lines will be attached to the sides of the bridge, while electricity and phone lines will run through a conduit. Drainage for the bridge will be hung below the structure.
The bridge is about one-third complete. It has a price tag of more than $4 million. Construction began last August, and the plans were finalized at the end of 2005. The project is ahead of schedule and on track to be completed next year.
Even with the accelerated design process, Rowe said it takes a while to construct a bridge. But the partnership among the engineer, developer and contractor has made for a smooth construction process. All parties meet at the site weekly to go over any problems.
“This is a way to think outside the box to help clients solve problems through engineering solutions,” Rowe said.
Had the developer opted for a more traditional process in which plans are completed and then put out for bids, this project may have been extended three to six months, Rowe said.
“By having input from the contractor, how many things have we changed in the design to help the contractor? It’s a little unique, but in this situation, time is money,” Rowe said.
Being a private structure, the bridge did not have to meet the South Carolina Department of Transportation standards. But LandTech took the high road and built the bridge to meet those regulations. The regulations better ensure the longevity of a bridge, Rowe said
“I’m proud of the developers,” he said. “Normally (developers) want to get in, get out and do what’s quick. (This bridge) will be very nice structure.”
Holly Fisher is the supplements editor for the Business Journal. E-mail her at hfisher@charlestonbusiness.com.
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