NEW ORLEANS, La. –Today, the Paths to Progress French Quarter Improvements won the 2013 Project Achievement Award, presented by the Construction Management Association of America (CMAA) Gulf Coast Chapter in the category of "Program Management- infrastructure less than $25 million."
The Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development (DOTD) and the national infrastructure solutions firm HNTB Corporation were recognized for the successful delivery and program management of the $11.3 million French Quarter projects, which were completed under budget and within schedule.
Paths to Progress program managers Jeffery Burst of DOTD and John Basilica, Jr., of HNTB were honored at an award ceremony held at the Heritage Grill by Ralph Brennan. "Receiving this prestigious award is a great honor. The French Quarter projects are a testament to the hard work and tremendous efforts of Paths to Progress and local partners," said Burst. "We thank CMAA for recognizing our program and our commitment to improving the quality of life for the many businesses, residents and tourists of the historic New Orleans community."
Under the Paths to Progress program, the New Orleans French Quarter roadways and sidewalks were rehabilitated just in time for Super Bowl XLVII. The projects were coined "ten for ten," as ten roadway segments in the French Quarter were repaired just weeks before the City of New Orleans hosted its record tenth Super Bowl Championship game.
The following street segments were included for repair:
Burgundy St. (Canal St. - Esplanade Ave.
Dauphine St. (Canal St. - Esplanade Ave.)
Esplanade Ave. (N. Peters St. - N. Rampart St.)
Toulouse St. (Decatur St. - Dauphine St.)
Toulouse St. (Dauphine St. - N. Rampart St.)
Saint Louis St. (Decatur St. - Dauphine St.)
Saint Louis St. (Dauphine St. - N. Rampart St.)
Decatur St. (Saint Louis St. - Dumaine St.)
N. Peters St. (Canal St. - Saint Louis St.)
Royal St. (Canal St. - Esplanade Ave.)
Construction began in July 2012, and was completed in December 2012. The scope of work included resurfacing roadways, constructing ADA-compliant accessible ramps, resetting stone curbs and rehabilitating deficient sidewalks. In addition to the roadway and sidewalk repairs, special features and amenities were also included in the Paths to Progress French Quarter Improvements.
The special features included the installation of designated bicycle lanes, safety pedestrian islands and the historical New Orleans blue and white street names tiles. The French Quarter projects were funded by the New Orleans Regional Planning Commission and the City of New Orleans, and were administered by DOTD.
The 2013 Project Achievement Award winners were chosen by a three-member jury of construction and engineering industry professionals. The judging criteria included program management, quality management, cost management, schedule management, complexity, creativity, innovation, customer service and customer satisfaction.
"Being recognized by our peers in the construction and engineering industry is very gratifying," said Basilica. "The challenges of managing construction projects in a historically significant urban environment like the French Quarter are complex. Moreover, with Super Bowl XLVII at our heels, we had a very compressed time schedule to complete construction. This is a great example of collaboration and cooperation among the contractor, the state, the city and the many stakeholder groups. Through the team’s relentless work ethic and unprecedented partnerships, the projects were executed under budget and on time."
In further recognition of Paths to Progress, CMAA nominated the Paths to Progress French Quarter Improvements in its national project competition. The national competition winners will be awarded at the CMAA 2013 National Conference and Trade Show held in Las Vegas, Nevada, from October 27 to October 29.
Paths to Progress is a transportation improvement program to rehabilitate, restore and enhance more than 60 roadway segments in Orleans and Jefferson parishes. With a combined investment of over $90 million, Paths to Progress is a collaborative effort between the Federal Highway Administration, Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development, New Orleans Regional Planning Commission and City of New Orleans.
To contact Paths to Progress please call 1-800-574-7193 or email paths2progress@gmail.com , visit www.pavingLAroads.com, find us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/paths2progress or follow us on Twitter at @paths2progress.