Pyramid Way Reconstruction, NDOT 3384

Under no obligation to do anything special, just to meet the proposed price and hit their end date, Q&D’s team met with client representatives to strategize and streamline the project and better mitigate potential impacts on local residents, businesses and special events on this 90-day, 1.5-mile road reconstruction project between McCarran and Interstate 80 along Pyramid Way, a major Sparks arterial and feeder to Interstate 80.

Through the collection of information about the make-up of the neighborhood businesses, the team realized that particular stretch of Pyramid Highway was home to a statistically significant number of tax accounting firms. With the start date planned for early spring, the traditional start of roadwork season in Nevada, the project as planned would severely impact customer access to these businesses in the height of the tax season. They also noted that a major local business, Sparks Florists would be very busy filling orders for Mother’s Day.

Pyramid is also a main feeder to I-80 and also connects travelers to Victorian Avenue and Victorian Square. Understanding the potential impacts on these venues, the team reviewed the schedule for upcoming events such as the Sparks Farmer’s Market, Fourth of July at the Nugget, Hot August Nights, the Best in the West Rib Cook-off, Sparks’ Street Vibrations, and others.

By carefully examining the site and those effected, openly sharing challenges and solutions with the entire team, thinking about the scope of work from a creative perspective, and taking steps to implement solutions, Q&D’s improved the project, reduced the impact on the community, and kept to the budget.

SYSTEM HIGHLIGHTS

The original scope of work was a patchwork of reconstruction to various depths combined with ancillary sidewalk and driveway work, minor utility work, and the final median construction and repaving. This would require a lot of stopping and starting and an ever-changing traffic-control plan that might overwhelm regular travelers of this thoroughfare and patrons of the local businesses.

Q&D directed crews to work 3 shifts per day, effectively working around-the-clock, to expedite the work in advance of planned community activities and large tourist events. Reconstruction work took place at night, while paving was ongoing during daytime shifts, alternating between the north and south phases. Due to trade-offs between worker efficiency and material costs, the revised schedule and added work were done at no cost to the project.

The crews followed Q&D’s communication plan, informing the residents and businesses of the work schedule, resulting in only minor driver-delay complaints.

FINISH HIGHLIGHTS

The project was completed in 48 of the 90 days allotted, with little to no impact on the traveling public, without impeding travel to and from major events, and with special consideration to local businesses. Through planning and coordination, the overall quality of the project improved, more scope was added, and the budget was maintained, adding to it for installation of an extension of the signal system, done at that time for convenience.