|
 |
The US 98 Reconstruction Project in Citrus and Hernando Counties, Florida, received
an Honorable Mention award from the Florida Institute of Consulting Engineers (FICE).
The 3.5 miles of US 98, beginning at Suncoast Parkway to US 19, was widened from a two-lane
rural highway to a four-lane divided highway to accommodate future traffic demands. Nearly
half of the corridor is located in the Annutteliga Hammock, a natural area consisting
of sandhill, forest and scrub that has been acquired as a Conservation and Recreational
Lands project. To minimize impacts to the environment, the design required the existing
two lanes be milled and resurfaced to serve as the proposed southbound lanes and an
anticipated 17 acres of additional road right-of-way was eliminated.
Negotiating no cost easements for two storm water pond sites from other State
agencies resulted in up to $500,000 in cost savings and maintained the natural
state of the Annutteliga Hammock preserve, habitat to the Florida Black Bear and
other species. Successful coordination with the adjacent Home Owners Associations
throughout the project resulted in streamlining the right-of-way acquisition for
three storm water ponds, and reducing costs, time and legal confrontation. The sixth
pond was selected on a site that was for sale allowing all right-of-way to be
secured without legal action.
Wade Trim provided design and construction engineering services for the roadway
segment. The final design yielded significant cost savings to the State and the
taxpayers through skillful, detailed and innovative design features. The overall
quality of the design was demonstrated in the Contractor’s ability to finish the
project ahead of an already aggressive schedule, without claims.
^Top
|
