Parking Garage Construction Updates - April 2018
MVRTA Intermodal Parking Facility - Update - April 3, 2018
As I'm sure many of you have noticed, the City of Newburyport, and it’s General Contractor (G&R Construction, Inc.), have begun to mobilize for the construction of the Intermodal Parking Facility to be located at 83 Merrimac Street. Below is a synopsis of what residents and business owners can expect as we move into the initial stages of construction for this facility.
Site Mobilization, Utility Connection Work, and Rough Grading Site
The initial stages of the project involve G&R Construction Mobilizing the site for access and security, initial excavations, and outside utility work connections. G&R has provided a 6-foot high temporary security fence fitted with a wind screen to protect the site from elements outside of the limits of work. Fencing has been installed at the 86 Merrimac Street Site, the adjoining Staging Area (A) owned by New England Development (NED), as well as the staging area (B) across the street also owned by NED. The sidewalk adjacent to the site on Titcomb Street will be closed shortly, with signage for pedestrians to be provided in order to direct a passable area on the other side of Titcomb Street. G&R Construction will also place (2) Temporary Field Office Trailers for use during the duration of construction. Both will be placed at Staging Area B.
Site work Operations will begin April 3rd. Remaining Asphalt will be removed and erosion control consisting of Tubular Sediment Barriers, Stabilized Construction Entrances, and Catch Basin Inlet Protection will be installed at this time. Experimental Test pits will be excavated to observe random areas of the site for soil conditions and other site characteristics such as foundation locations of abutting structures etc. Once all site preparations are in place, the project team will begin to tie into existing utilities located in the street. Water, Sewer, and Drainage will be connected and brought into the limits of work.
PART 2: Aggregate Pier Installation & Foundation Work
Aggregate Pier preparation will begin once site rough grading is complete. The site work contractor will set up the working platform for our Geotechnical Contractor. The project team anticipates Aggregate Pier work to last approximately one week. While piers are installed, light site work will continue in preparation for foundations. Excavation will also be made for all underground electrical and plumbing that is required near the administration side of the building. The project team anticipates a foundation start date of May 29, 201, lasting likely to the beginning of July 2018.
PART 3: Structural Precast Concrete
The bulk of the work for this project consists of the Structural Precast Concrete. The precast units form the structure of the parking garage come delivered to the site in finished pieces from Shaftsbury, Vermont. Installation will be performed by an erection crew with a crane that will span approximately 160 ft. high. G&R is currently registering the project with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) since the boom is over 145 ft. high. Erecting the entire project will take approximately 6 weeks. Right now the anticipated start date of this work is approximately July 16th. The project team anticipates a total of 12 trucks a day delivering the pieces to the job site. Deliveries will occur approximately every 30 min and will span approximately 5 weeks from the start date. There is anticipated to be a total of 3 crane picking locations on the job site. Crane pads will be formed by the site work contractor. Staging for smaller building components will be at Staging area B. A total of 2 stand-by trailers will be staged in Staging Area A, while the crane picks through the trailer loads. G&R anticipates that building erection will be completed by September 2018. The remainder of the month will be used to complete necessary grouting and welding to complete the entire precast system.
PART 4: Building Finishes and Completion
Mechanical and Electrical work will guide the finishing subcontractors on to the project to install each scope that remains. There is about 5 weeks’ worth of HVAC, Plumbing, Fire Protection, Electrical, and Tel-Data work that needs to be completed for working equipment. While the mechanical trades perform the rough portions of their work, the construction team will begin to install all Exterior Windows, Doors, Metal Screens to help bring the finished areas of the building “weather tight” and the open areas of the building more secured. Roofing work will follow at the stair and elevator towers, and then elevator assembly will begin. G&R anticipates installing all pavers, sidewalks, curbing, and landscaping in the fall months with a goal to be completed with exterior site work by October 31st. The Project Team hopes to have the structure finishes completed by February of next year leaving time to perform all punch list items and program the mechanical systems. Substantial completion of the project is set for March 6th 2019.
Overall Schedule Key Activities - approximate Phased Time Period
Mobilization, Site Preparation, Utility Connections - April 2, 2018 – April 23, 2018
Aggregate Pier Installation & Foundation Work - April 23, 2018 – July 9, 2018
Structural Precast Concrete - July 16, 2018 – September 28, 2018
Finished - September 10, 2018 – March 6, 2019
Construction Day to Day Operations
G&R Construction will oversee all construction operations while work is being completed on site. Field offices will be located at Staging Area B.
Work Period Time Period
Monday – Friday: 7:00 AM – 3:30 PM (Site will be open until 5 pm if necessary)
Saturdays: (As Required and Approved by City) 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
2018 Recognized Holidays (Job will be closed):
Monday - May 28, 2018 Memorial Day
Wednesday - July 4, 2018 Independence Day
Monday – September 3, 2018 Labor Day
Thursday – November 22, 2018 Thanksgiving Day
Tuesday – December 25, 2018 Christmas Day
Tuesday – January 1, 2019 New Year’s Day
**REMINDER**
On April 12, 2018, the project’s initial Impact Advisory Group (IAG) meeting will be held in the Mayor’s Conference Room on the second floor of City Hall at 6:30PM. All interested parties are encouraged to attend as we will have representatives from the General Contractor, Owner’s Project Manager, and City staff available to answer questions and provide further information.