OSR TxDOT Bryan District
Bryan, TX

IEA was the prime CEI consultant for this bridge replacement project. The project reconstructed bridges over the Navasota River and its reliefs #1 and #2.

IEA served as the Prime Construction, Engineering and Inspection (CEI) consultant for the reconstruction of 26-miles of 2-lane roadway in the Bryan District.

The project included grading, widening, 4 single-span bridges, and 3 multi-span bridges utilizing pre-cast sub-structures and a fully pre-cast superstructure. This project utilized A+B letting to accelerate the project completion timeline.

Safety: IEA followed our mandatory safety practices on this project, which included following OSHA procedures, wearing appropriate PPE, and ensuring personal vehicles were in designated parking areas. By following this, no major incidents occurred.

Partnering: At Little Cedar Creek, the Contractor wanted to build the roadway prior to constructing the new bridge to avoid hauling embankment to stockpile. IEA reviewed the plans and the request from the Contractor and saw a safety issue for the traveling public.

IEA communicated with the Contractor that 500-ft of approaches at the bridge must built in conjunction with the structure per the plans. The Contractor agreed, but asked IEA if we could help them minimize hauling material. IEA requested and received approval from the Area Office on an option for 250-ft of approaches to be constructed. This allowed the Contractor to minimize hauling costs and still provided a safe travel way for the public.

Environmental: The contract made allowances for Item 4027 Temporary Construction Access and required the Contractor to submit their plan for approval. After filing the plan, District Environmental staff noted the plan would disturb a wetland located at relief #2.

IEA provided the area and volume of affected disturbance the wetland would incur, and the materials used for construction, as requested by District Environmental staff. This information was disseminated to USACE and the permit was amended with no delay to planned activities.

Inspection: SH OSR used accelerated bridge construction with pre-cast substructures and superstructures. While pre-cast elements were constructed in the yard, points were set at ¼, ½, and ¾ to check deadload/deflection, deck thickness, and steel clearances of the structures. After the deck sections were assembled in permanent locations, IEA used Surface Test Ty A to verify ride quality. No corrective actions were needed, and the decks received the final grooving.

One unique aspect of the SH OSR project was the use of a “Foamed Asphalt” sub-grade treatment process. This process is a subgrade stabilization measure completed in approximately 2 hours, allowing the highway to be reopened to traffic faster than traditional methods.

Utilities: SH OSR incorporated rock rip-rap at Elm Creek. IEA inspectors noticed considerable erosion had occurred and the planned rip-rap would not be a suitable provision to stabilize the area and ensure no future issues with the existing structure. The proposed corrective action measures were in conflict with a gas line. With TxDOT’s permission, IEA reached out to Energy Transfer and arranged measures for the gas line to be capped, evacuated, and monitored. This resolved both the erosion and utility conflict. 

Record Keeping: IEA maintained all project records in a digital format for SH OSR. IEA’s Record Keeper managed the records proactively, resulting in minimal comments by DCO for the 30/60/90% audits.