DFW Connector Owner Verification Testing Project Overhead Image

Seamless Startup, Quick On-Site Lab Setup & Responsiveness Drives Project Success

Project Background

DFW Connector Owner Verification Testing and Inspection (OVT&I)

The $1 billion Dallas Fort Worth (DFW) Connector Project is one of the most critically needed and anticipated transportation improvement in North Texas simultaneously designed and built along 8.4 miles of SH 114 and SH 121. It doubled the size of the existing highway system around the north entrance of DFW International Airport. The project featured a combination of new mainlines, frontage road lanes and TEXpress Lanes. As part of the Texas Clear Lanes initiative, TxDOT secured congestion relief funding in 2016 for the SH 121/360 interchange, and in 2017 for the I-635/SH 121 interchange. We began work on the $370M I-635/SH 121 interchange in August 2018, rebuilding and widening SH 121 north of the Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport from SH 114 to Dallas County to accommodate new interchanges for SH 121 at I-635 and FM 2499. The project scope also includes new direct connectors at SH 26 and FM 2499 and the widening of the Bass Pro Drive Bridge.

Practice: Construction Material Engineering and Testing

Sector: Roadway

Location: Grapevine, Southlake and Irving, Texas

Services: Owner Verification Testing and Inspection (OVT&I), On-Site Lab

Bridge Deck Pour at Night by HVJ Engineers

The Problem

As part of the Independent Engineer Team, HVJ is providing Owner Verification Testing and Inspection (OVT&I) of concrete, soil, base material, aggregate, and hot mix. It was imperative to complete reports accurately and on-time to verify materials used in the project for FHWA approval to satisfy the requirements of Federal regulations (23CFR 637B). At project start-up, we quickly mobilized certified personnel and setup an AASHTO accredited onsite laboratory to perform testing on the project which was qualified by TxDOT Fort Worth District staff.

The Goal

Obtain FHWA concurrence regarding the acceptance of the quality of materials incorporated into the project so that TxDOT can receive payments from federal funding secured for this project.

Our Solution

HVJ made sure the laboratory was fully equipped, certified, and staffed with the right technicians with required certifications available in less than four months after executing the contract. Our on-site flexibility allowed us to adapt to scope changes readily, avoiding costly delays. For example, partway through the project, it became necessary to add soil tests (Soil Organic Content by UV-Vis Method, Dynamic Cone Penetrometer) to the project's scope. We quickly added the additional technician certifications, training, equipment, and accreditation needed to accommodate the change.  By being proactive, we added test methods to our accreditation promptly and avoided any project delays.

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