JFC, wonder how much taxpayer money is being flushed on this project.
I-35 / US 30 Flyover Progress
- Thread starter scottie33
- Start date
As messed up as this project seems to be I sure hope they aren't using the same contractors for the Rider Corner flyover project coming up soon at the I35/80 and Hwy 141 exit. That is already a mess there at rush hour as it is the last thing they need is a big delay there when they start tearing out some of the on/off ramps.
I don't think the DOT necessarily gets to pick the contractors. It's all public bid type work.
I've noticed this on a lot of different road projects. They seem to take months or years, but you rarely see anyone working on them - just heavy equipment sitting there idle. It's like there is only one contractor doing work, and they have 20 projects, so they only do 1 day per month on each project.
Any insights from the folks in the industry?
Following most bid opening we would go back to our office and go "Not these ******** again" or "I assume they will have another bunch of low ball subcontractors to **** everything up."
Just depends on the scope and and the schedule of the project. Some jobs have such a long term schedule that they don't need to turn and burn (especially on smaller projects where you don't have a lot of onsite overhead). Other times, especially with smaller contractors, they may only have a certain number of crews (or a certain type of crew) and they are bouncing them from job to job. An asphalt paving crew for example. A smallish contractor may only have one paver so it's got to go from job to job. One screw up and you get a nice ripple down the line. Or they could be waiting on utilities to get moved (this is always an issue with projects). Or the contractor is just a bum. Lots of possibilities, lots of reasons. Some are more legitimate than others.
From my infalliable source of all news things local (Ames People Facebook group) the issue was more an inspector opinion versus a contractor offering. I claim no knowledge in this area at all, but it’s getting darn close to ISU FB season ... Good thing I live in Ames.
I'm not in the industry but I asked someone associated with the Highway 330/Baxter exit project why they didn't pour the road last fall before winter and his reply was they had to let the land settle over the winter before they could pour the concrete.
Our home was built in 1916. Arts and Crafts perfection.
We decided to get a new front storm door. 34.5" in width. Standard, off the shelf, was 32" or 36". That wouldn't do. Ordered a special fit.
Along with my father, DVM '58, we put everything in place and drilled to set in the new door handle. All went well and functioned perfectly.
When closing everything down,.....the handles of the interior and the new storm door hit perfectly, not allowing any closure of both at the same time. 10+ years and 2 degrees, including the DVM from ISU, and we screwed it up spectacularly!!!
Even "experts" eff things up once in a while. B^)
We decided to get a new front storm door. 34.5" in width. Standard, off the shelf, was 32" or 36". That wouldn't do. Ordered a special fit.
Along with my father, DVM '58, we put everything in place and drilled to set in the new door handle. All went well and functioned perfectly.
When closing everything down,.....the handles of the interior and the new storm door hit perfectly, not allowing any closure of both at the same time. 10+ years and 2 degrees, including the DVM from ISU, and we screwed it up spectacularly!!!
Even "experts" eff things up once in a while. B^)
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You didn't have your doors drawn up in design software to make sure there was no interference.
Add this tidbit to the debacle. They want to close I35 for ~8 hours (both directions) for the placement of the beams between the pillars. Apparently the contractor has never placed them at angle/slope like this project so they're not 100% sure how to do it and how long it will take.
A couple notes:
1. I'm surprised the DOT didn't have a clause in the RFP that the contractor have XX amount of experience in similar projects. This is pretty common.
2. As much as those 8 hours will be a pain to some, with some proper warning ahead, it shouldn't be too terrible.
3. I'd rather the contractor error on the side of safety and admit they aren't sure about some things rather than risk hurting drivers.
Take this way on game-day and thank me later if you live on the West side of Des Moines.
Imo this is not a big deal. Close it from 9 PM to 5 AM and just re-route traffic overnight.
There are a number of routes to choose from if one lives on west side of DSM. Not sure why anyone west of 2nd Avenue would ever take I-35. I take the one through Granger and Madrid. Almost zero traffic (and because of that, 65+ mph is normal).
