Nice-Middleton Bridge Wins National DBIA Merit Award
Photo courtesy of Maryland Transportation Authority’s Flickr
HUNT VALLEY, Maryland (November 5, 2023) – Kleinfelder and Century Engineering, A Kleinfelder Company, (Kleinfelder-Century) announced that the Governor Harry W. Nice – Senator Thomas “Mac” Middleton Bridge Replacement Project has been honored with a Merit Award from the Design Build Institute of America (DBIA) on the national level. The winners were honored at the DBIA 2023 Design-Build Conference & Expo held November 1 – 3, 2023 at the Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center in National Harbor, Maryland.
The Design-Build Institute of America, Mid-Atlantic Region (DBIA-MAR) previously recognized the Governor Harry W. Nice – Senator Thomas “Mac” Middleton Bridge with three awards:
- Project of the Year
- Infrastructure – Award of Excellence
- Best in Design Excellence – Engineering
The project included a new four-lane bridge with an all-electronic tolling system, construction of approach/intersecting roadways, and the demolition of the existing bridge. The Nice-Middleton bridge carries US 301 over the Potomac River between Newburg in Charles County, Maryland and Dahlgren in King Georges County, Virginia. The existing two-lane structure was replaced by a four-lane structure, significantly increasing capacity for this vital thoroughfare. The project was the Maryland Transportation Authority’s (MDTA) largest transportation project to date and followed a design-build delivery method. Design was completed in 11 months, and construction was completed in 30 months. The bridge rises to a height of 135 feet above the Potomac River, allowing for the passage of tall vessels. The total project cost topped $462 million. It was delivered ahead of schedule and under budget, and now serves more than 18,000 vehicles daily.
Kleinfelder-Century teamed with the construction team of Skanska-Corman-McClean JV (SCM) to lead and provide independent design quality management (IDQM) services. Expedited reviews were conducted throughout both design and construction phases to maintain the accelerated project schedule. Kleinfelder-Century was responsible for signing, sealing, and certifying that all design submittals, including redline revisions, were in conformance with the contract documents, environmental commitments, permit conditions, and design quality management plan prior to construction.
“IDQM is an important service in the overall structure of the project to help ensure that the project is successful, designs and permitting are completed correctly, and that it can be completed on schedule,” noted Kleinfelder-Century Area Manager Tony Frascarella.
Kleinfelder-Century coordinated closely with the lead designer (AECOM and numerous subconsultants) on each design submittal to identify issues and acquire additional information to complete reviews in a timely manner. Over 150 design packages were reviewed and approved as Released for Construction (RFC) packages, resulting in several rounds of comments and revisions before final approval. Over-the-shoulder reviews were utilized to assist the design-builder with the development of submittals and to minimize the number of resubmittals and revisions before obtaining final approvals.
The Nice-Middleton Bridge also won an Honor Award from ACEC Maryland and was featured in Aspire Magazine.
Kleinfelder-Century Project Manager Mary Matzke, PE, commented, “These awards are more great wins for the Nice-Middleton project. As one of the largest transportation projects in the region in recent years, this bridge will serve the surrounding communities and commuters for the next 100 years. This project truly exemplifies the engineering community coming together to put forward the best of its talents. Congratulations to all involved!”
Kleinfelder. Bright People. Right Solutions. Founded in 1961, Kleinfelder is a leading engineering, design, construction management, construction materials inspection and testing, and environmental professional services firm. Kleinfelder employs more than 3,100 professionals and operates from over 105 office locations in the United States, Canada, and Australia. The company is headquartered in San Diego, California. Poised for growth, Kleinfelder continues to provide high-quality solutions for a diverse client base. For more information about Kleinfelder, please visit Kleinfelder.com or follow us on LinkedIn/Kleinfelder.
