A project to widen Interstate 66 and add an HOV lane in Manassas, VA, is currently on schedule for its completion date in November 2006.

The contract, valued at more than $37 million, was awarded to Moore Brothers Co. Inc. (MBC) of Verona, VA. Scott Hunter is the vice president of construction.

The project officially began on Aug. 11, 2004, and is headed by the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT). It covers a total of 3.8 mi. (6.1 km) and includes grading, asphalt, drainage, pavement markings, box culverts, retaining walls, storm water management ponds, landscaping, guardrail, fence and one bridge.

The contract includes widening the road to eight lanes from Route 234 Business in Manassas to Route 234/Prince William Parkway. Two lanes will be added to I-66 in each direction, one regular and one HOV lane. The inside lane will be reserved for two-person carpools during peak periods. The median will be preserved to accommodate future barrier-separated HOV lanes or transit.

As with most road projects, traffic management is high on the priority list.

“Traffic is always a challenge,” said William Green, senior construction manager of the I-66 HOV construction management team. “However, on a major interstate, it becomes even more important. Rush hours are expanding until mid-morning, thereby decreasing the daytime construction time the contractor has available to do lane closures. Any time traffic is being impacted to facilitate construction, we have to be absolutely sure it is being done safely.”

Green noted that the team was able to successfully detour all traffic from I-66 for two straight months at night in order to pave and do crown shifts in the early stages of the project.

“This took much coordination between VDOT, the contractor, Prince William County government, Prince William County Police, Virginia State Police, etc.,” he said.

Approximately 10 employees are normally on site from VDOT/Alpha Corporation, and MBC’s employee list reaches anywhere from 75 to 100.

“One of the biggest assets to this job has been the great teamwork between Moore Brothers and the department,” Green said. “As in any large project, we have had ’opportunities’ that have presented specific challenges. We have always been able to figure out a solution that is good both economically and time wise. This team thinks ’out of the box’ in order to achieve the necessary goal.”

Major subcontractors include Tavares Concrete Co. Inc., Lorton, VA, for two retaining walls, median barrier, and miscellaneous concrete work; AA Group, Inc., Centerville, VA, for all storm drain pipe work; and WG Construction Inc., Manassas, VA, for box culverts.

MBC owns all the equipment used on the project, including dozers, dump trucks, pans, a water truck, excavators, and cranes.

“MBC primarily owns Komatsu equipment,” said Green. “Their subcontractors utilize equipment specific to their work. Most of the subcontractors own their equipment and purchase from varying manufacturers.”

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