The Clark Construction Group Inc. was selected as the general contractor to build the new $275-million Headquarters for the U.S. Department of Transportation by the JBG/SEFC Venture LLC of Washington, D.C.

Located on an 11-acre ( 4.5 ha) parcel within the Southeast Federal Center in Washington, D.C., the 1.9-million-sq.-ft. (1.6 million sq m) complex consists of two towers, which will house the agency’s more than 5,000 employees. Two levels of below-grade parking also are planned.

Designed by Michael Graves Architects, of Princeton, NJ, the complex spans two full city blocks, featuring a nine-story western tower and an eight-level eastern tower. This difference in height creates variety along M Street and emphasizes the western tower and its public entrance along New Jersey Avenue — a boulevard within view of the U.S. Capitol.

A multi-story lobby leads to adjacent first floor space, which will contain a large assembly area.

A central linear atrium is planned in each of the buildings. While the towers are not physically connected across Third Street, the transparency of each tower’s atrium helps create a visual link between them.

Additional team members include DMJM H+N, of Arlington, VA, executive architect and MEP engineer; Ai, of Washington, D.C., tenant design architect; Weidlinger Associates Inc., of Washington, D.C., structural engineer; URS Corporation, of Gaithersburg, MD, civil engineer; Lee & Associates Inc., of Washington, D.C., landscape architect; and Ducibella, Venter & Santore, of North Haven, CT, security consultant.

A tunnel for the Metro’s Green Line bisects the site, with the top of the tunnel approximately 17-ft. (5 m) below the lowest point of excavation.

Construction of the lowest parking garage level will be performed around a 14- by 14-ft. (4.3 by 4.3 m) active sewer main.

Construction is scheduled for completion in mid-2006.