Thank you all for joining us this evening. We will begin momentarily.
Good evening, everyone. I'm Charles Schuber. I'm the superintendent on the George Washington Memorial Parkway, we invite you and thank you for joining us tonight for our virtual information session.
Tonight we're gonna talk about the North Parkway rehabilitation project and provide some permanent information related to the project and what's coming up next.
Again, I want to welcome you. Thank you for joining us. The meeting will be recorded and we'll post it later on our website for those who are not able to participate tonight.
The purpose of the meeting is to focus on the rehabilitation of the North Parkway and our upcoming construction activities.
We invite you to submit your questions on the project in the Zoom, question and answer box. Attendees will be will remain on mute.
I've got a couple of folks in the background facilitating our meeting tonight and questions will be addressed at the end of the presentation during the question and answer session.
Let us begin by acknowledging that we are in the territory of many indigenous people. I have known the Potomac Balance, Lands and Waters is their homeland for thousands of years to the present day, including the Algonquin, Iroquois, and Sinuan people.
We can continue to build on our engagement with traditionally associated Native American communities. To identify all the different connections with these lands held by many native nations.
Together we recognize the Native nations past, present, and future unbroken and unbreakable connections to these lands.
We honor the resilience of perseverance of these nation, even as colonizers claim this land is their own.
This evening I'm joined, with colleagues from our project team including Caitlin Shinehouse who's our project manager here at the George Washington Mall Parkway.
Doc Hershey, who's the chief of staff here on the Parkway, and Sam Patel, the project manager from our design build team with Fort Meyer construction.
You'll note the many logos on the bottom that represent really the robust partnership that's involved in this project and other panel members that are participating this night.
This evening for the question and answer session to assist us and providing you the best information we can.
Our agenda this evening is to give you a project overview. Talk about our construction progress. Provide for some updates on upcoming construction activities.
Speak a little bit about our planning for inclement weather this winter and then open it up for the question and answer session.
With that, I'll turn it over to my colleague, Caitlin Chinehouse.
Good evening everybody. As Charles mentioned, I am Kaitlin Shinehouse. I'm the project manager for the George Washington Memorial Parkway for this project.
So we'll start with doing a brief overview on the George Washington Memorial Parkway. It runs from Great Falls to Mount Vernon and also includes the Clara Barton Parkway in Maryland.
When it was created, it was designed for recreational driving. And it is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
It links sites that commemorate and important episodes in American history as our we have a Parks and Sites along the Parkway.
And additionally, as it also preserves a habitat for local wildlife. And as we like to remind people, it is more than a parkway.
Moving on into the rehabilitation project. So what we have, for the North Parkway, it's a 4 lane scenic historic parkway.
It's approximately 7.6 miles of roadway between Spout Run. To 495 which is capital beltway.
And those are the limits of the project. Spans both Fairfax and Arlington counties. And it's just a small highlight.
We're repairing a hundred 28 water drainage outlets along the project corridor.
And additionally 10 bridges spanning waterways or existing roadways will also be rehabilitated as part of the project.
Going into more detail about the rehabilitation overview. We replacing the asphalt pavement in that 7.6 mile stretch.
Modifying the root 1 23 interchange. As mentioned before, replacing our pairing drainage systems.
Will be lengthening entrants and exit lanes at some interchanges. We reconstructing and repairing stone walls and roadside barriers.
And last will be rehabilitating historic overlooks and reopening historic parkway views.
Additionally, as most of you have probably seen, 495 has an adjacent project that they're also working on.
So as most as our projects are adjacent to each other, we have regular coordination meetings to make sure that our construction is in sync and talk about congestion mitigation.
Strategies as well. We meet monthly with. 95 next team. Additionally, you can go to their website, which is listed on this slide.
Get more information about 4 95 next project.
And with that, I will pass it over to Sam Ptell, who is the project manager with Fort Myers Construction talk about the construction progress.
Thank you. What you see on the screen over here basically is the overview of the project like in and mentioned starting from northbound all the way to 4 95 all the way to spot run the southern tip of the project about 7.6 miles in L.
This slide is basically talking about the roadway schedule, how our crews are moving up and down the corridor, the GW, node section on the corridor.
Currently as you may have noticed, after we switched traffic in April up earlier this year.
To the reversible traffic lead consideration majority of the activities. Have been happening between 4 95 and the 1 23 interchange.
The southbound lanes are closed and obviously we're using 3 reversible lanes on the northbound lanes.
We anticipate that corridor to have construction activities. On northbound shifting later this year that will go on to all the way up to 2025 The next, next section of the project is from 1 23 to windy run which is highlighted in the red color.
We have crews working over there as well and this is where the majority of the bridge work is going on.
As you may have noticed, there's a lot of bridge crews, stone masonry crews.
And of course, grading and drainage crews that are working in this corner as well, that have been some barriers placed in this corridor as well because there's a strategic and approved traffic switches.
And this work will go from fall 2023 into late 2025 as well. And the most sudden tip of the project, which is probably the most complex and most tightest part of the corridor, we'll begin basically from summer, 2,000, and 23, to late, 2,000, and, 25, from when they run to Spartron.
Some of you may have noticed that we've already begun some, guard wall work on the north downside and will continue to make progress, going north.
On the Obviously this is the schedule which is very weather dependent. And we have to be respectable of course to the land and the impacts that we make on it.
So schedule is subject to change mainly because of the weather. And we'll keep everybody posted on that.
Next please.
Just to provide some construction updates. Many of you will travel on this border on a daily basis. May have seen multiple activities, multiple crews.
Just to put some perspectives, there's a 75 to 90 people that work on this on this site on a daily basis.
Multiple deliveries are made, multiple equipments are moved in and out of the job site. So obviously we're trying to do things as safely as possible.
What the spectres are showing obviously currently there's a payment work That is going on the new curve, as you see in the picture.
The drainage already has been installed there's guard walls that are being installed and obviously this road with human civilization and the permanent payment.
And there's also. Progress in the 123 interchange.
Some of you may have experienced the closures for some temporary closures because of some drainage crossings that are happening at the 1 23 interchange as well.
And, as we go along later during the season. You, you guys will also notice, some detours temporarily may be set up on the 1 23 interchange as we start the work over there probably in late November this year.
On from 1 23 to windy run bridge on the Northam rehabilitation. You may have noticed from selective free removal.
Obviously these are permitted during only certain times. And we're taking advantage of that time. So some 3, 2, 2, rules have also taken place.
Because it's out for rehabilitation. You may have also seen the guard world demolition and rebuilding of the guard walls.
And of course followed by the excavation in the drainage installation from the 1 23 to windy run corridor.
From the windy run to Spotron. We've started documenting the guard walls.
Obviously the next steps they'll be followed is system 3 removals for the artful construction. Once again, this is the tightest part of the project from when you run to Sparkrum.
So. Expect the enclosures, in that corridor. This year as well
These are just one of the pictures that you wanna show in case some of you may have any questions, the picture on the left.
Is a typical outfall construction. This is just one of the type of the artfall constructions as you see.
Using the current being blocks to kind of slow down the water flow so make sure that the erosion It's not happening like it did pass in the year, so we're just using better engineering techniques to.
Further strengthened the the outfalls and and reduced the erosion. The picture in the middle basically is, is just a subgrade being prepared for your guard wall also possibly for the, header curb and just getting the payment ready.
And the picture on the right side obviously is the milling equipment, taking the existing payment down.
After that which is stabilized and polarized with line. As part of the payment design.
You guys, I may have noticed there's a lot of bridge work that is going on and this year we're target based targeting 3 bridges.
Fourth one possibly if you can squeeze it in. The dead run, Glee Broad, Pimatron and Videvon Bridge Russian Repairs.
Obviously, Glee Broad was the first one where we started basically the steep blasting in the painting.
The white canvas that was wrapped around that's a containment system so there are people working underneath these bridges.
The dead run in Turkey run the face one of the 4 is complete with a new grid surface what you see on the picture over here is a Bidwell machine at night special concrete, ultra high performance concrete, which is a new and innovative product in the industry is being used on this project as well.
We're also on the payment run bridge where the steep blasting and the priming coating is under progress.
And once again when we're probably gonna go the target is we can down to video run bridge as well to get some structural work.
Completed and hopefully painting as well on the, bridge as well.
This is just a video, time lapse. That shows the application of the ultra high performance concrete.
Being done at night. And once again, it's just an application about 2 inches of concrete that is overlaid on the southbound right lane of the bridge.
This application will be done on the dead run and the Turkey one bridge. And it'll be done in 4 different phases, but this video just gives you a glimpse of how the work was done.
In case people that notice work at night.
Alright, this basically is a graphic that's gonna give you basically, you know, how the traffic is intending to flow on the project.
This is the current configuration that many of you may have noticed that you're driving in in today's conditions.
This graphic is basically showing a weekday evening rush hour. Biggest from 2 45 pm to 7 15 p.
M. 2 layers going in northbound direction towards 4 95. And one lane going in southbound directions towards DC.
Obviously as you've noticed the links are divided basically by the linear and the work on the southbound from 4 95 to 123 is entire construction zone right now which as of today we are paving asphalt on that section and we anticipated about 20,000 tons of asshole will be laid before the end of the year about 35,000 linear feet of curb will be already in place.
And more than 15 outfalls will already have been replaced. We're making significant progress on the project.
The design is almost 100% complete on the project. So we are hitting our muscles as expected on this.
Because of this reversible traffic link implementation. Next slide please.
This slide basically is the next phase. Of the project, that, we should expect. Before the end of the calendar year by the permitting.
We should be able to switch to traffic on the newly built. Southdown lanes and Vista configuration would look as you see on the screen.
There will be as this is once again the evening rush hour. We have 2 lanes coming, but they'll be split in the northern and south.
But we have 2 lanes coming northbound. Once again the exits be encouraged to remain on the right side to Maryland Virginia and the center lane that is on the southbound side where the black truck as you see is They'll be coming to the Virginia Bank.
And of course, the rightmost lane where you see the blue car. That's the lane that will be going towards DC.
The intent during this MIT scheme. Is that we'll be working on the outfalls, the guard roles.
Can the payment reconstruction on the exterior lane towards the Potomac on the northbound side.
And obviously there'll be plenty of advanced note assigns, message boards that are deployed already on the project corridor.
That will display advanced warning signs about this traffic switch as well. Next, please.
This is the section that is from 1 23 to windy run once again we're going south towards the project like we had mentioned in the graphic before, we're starting from 495, going towards 123.
And now we're going from 1 23 towards windy run once again. This is. Approximately May, June of next year spring 2024.
Once again these are all better dependent activities because we have some time. Temperature sensitive materials. This is also a graphic which is about an evening rush hour.
Once again, the 2 northbound links that are coming on. The exit on the right will serve to Maryland and Virginia to the 1 23.
And the exit on the interior lane on the northbound side will go to the Virginia Ramp in 495 while the southbound lane will go towards Washington DC.
This is gonna be and the construction zone obviously as you see on the graphic is the right lane of the Southam side.
Once again, the advanced pointing size will be posted in spring 2024 when this phase will be implemented.
Currently we are occupying the the right lane of northbound from 1 23 to windy run.
On some sections of this project.
Thanks, please. And this is the, this is the section of the project I keep talking about, which is of course the, the tightest project, tightest section of the corridor.
Which is also bifurcated in sections, so in mode down in Southcon are 2 very different grade levels.
South Bampire and North B is closer of course as we get closer to the Potomac.
This is basically where we expect, obviously some delays when because This traffic lane is we cannot implement the reversible traffic lane over here.
So this will be a permanent configuration. For a duration of the time. Until we build the permanent construction lanes one lane at a time.
Once again, this is from Windy one. This conference was a short, short land. But it'll be a length, lane by lane construction.
Behind the barriers. We expect some delay, some queuing to occur in in DC obviously coming into Virginia.
But that's the only way we could build a shop safely by lane by lane construction because we just don't have enough enough room.
And you have geometry to suggest that to implement the reversible traffic link in this corner from when you run to.
Next please.
This is the bridge construction, typical sequence. As we mentioned, we have dead run, Turkey, one permit run, Glebe and Windy.
We have multiple bridges obviously on this project. These are not all over bridges at the border, but at least what you will see in the near future.
The intent of construction as you as you see on the graphic is to do lane at a time.
Right now as you see the right lane. When the cars are that's the construction zone but we intend to switch to traffic before the end of the year and and do the construction on the left lane of southbound And once again, one lane at a time will be followed throughout Northbound lane as well.
And the traffic switches obviously will be made aware. Public messages and quite advanced warning signs, but this is just to show an intent on how we follow the bridge construction sequence once again is one lane at a time so we can put the ultra high performance concrete.
And extend the service life of these bridges.
But that being said, I was trying it back to Caitlin.
Thanks, Sam. So I'll move on to talk about inclement weather plan and safety reminders.
So as we're moving into late fall and then coming into winter, we're starting to plan for late fall and then coming into winter.
We're starting to plan for possibilities for inclement weather. The parkway is responsible for snow, leviation in the construction corridor.
We're also, making sure that the safety of our GWMP crews and motorists is paramount when we're talking about planning.
So as many of you know who drive the parkway, the current traffic configuration creates a complexity for how the roadway is configured.
And in the end then looking at it from our maintenance team standpoint it also provides complexity for how it's going to be treated.
The narrow lanes and also those delineators. Pose some complex issues for us for the equipment that we have to remove the snow.
So when talking about this internally and planning for it, we have concerns for ice storms and storms that are forecasted from more than 2 inches of snow.
So at this point, we're considering the duration of the storm. To be considered for the approach on how to treat the roadway.
Whether it's going to be a multi-day event, a single day event. How much so ice all is into the consideration in the planning.
So at this moment we have a plan in place that has been Brainstormed by our maintenance team.
It is currently under review by NPS Leadership. So at this moment, what we're able to say is that there's going to be a potential for reversible lane hours to be altered.
And potential for full closure. So at this point, once these plans have been reviewed and approved by leadership.
Will be providing more information of plans for altered schedules. And closure plans which will come in later this fall before snow season gets underway.
Additionally, we wanna spend some time talking about work zone safety reminders. So it's noted, as Sam said, there's daily link closures, on the parkway.
And as you're coming from spout run to 4 95 there's traffic switches and again you have the reversible lanes during rush hours and sometimes those reversible lanes are used during the non peak hours to move traffic around.
So construction can happen in those other lanes. So it's just being sure that you're aware of where the traffic is being switched and just being cognizant of the roadway conditions.
Also, as I mentioned, there has been weekend work, so just being aware that we can work can occur for this project.
And that can be during the daytime or in the evening as well. Again, making sure that you're aware of construction equipment and crews.
Those crews and equipment are behind barriers, but again, just making sure that you're aware of those.
Individuals and equipment that is being worked on. Again, we want to keep our workers that are on the parkway safe.
Additionally, this is outside of the project, but commercial vehicles are restricted on the parkway at all times.
So again, we see probably the commercial vehicles that we're using for our project, that is separate, but in general the commercial vehicles are restricted.
Another thing to note is, as Sam mentioned, we will be working on Turkey run bridge coming up. They'll be installing a containment platform on the underside the bridge will actually then create a low clearance.
So signs have been posted around the parkway and also on the root. 1 23 interchange for that.
But again, that's another note for the commercial vehicles as those will be impacted if they were to find themselves on the parkway.
Sam also mentioned before that signage has been posted on the parkway to inform motorists of the reversible lanes and hours.
And also the VMS signs for any daily changes. New signage will be posted and altered once we do our traffic switches to inform motorists to the changes.
A very important, reminder is that the speed limit is 40 miles per hour within the construction zone.
This helps keep motorists and the construction workers safe. Going at this reduced feed. As mentioned, the traffic shifts.
The major ship will be coming up later this year. As we move traffic from the 4 95 to 1 23 from this northeast to southbound lanes.
And as I mentioned before, traffic switches also can happen into the reversible lanes or non peak hours.
And the final reminder is to make sure you allow for extra time traveling on the parkway as many of you probably know that there are delays due to the construction.
So at this point I will pass it over to Dock Hershey to start the Q&A session.
Thank you, Kate one. And with that, I'd like to say thank you to our superintendent Charles.
Caitlin Shinehouse, our project manager for the George Washington Memorial Parkway and Sam Patel project manager, design team.
Design bill team with Fort Myer construction and now we'll turn to the Q&A portion of our meeting.
Next slide, please.
If you have any questions you'd like to submit, please post them into the Q&A box of the Zoom as described.
On the slide that you see on the screen here additionally as shown on the slide. Raise your hand which is a feature in zoom if you wish to ask any questions directly we will then unmute your line We will leave this slide up for a few minutes and then transition to the slide providing additional information.
In some of the ways that you can stay in touch with us and contact us with any additional questions. After this meeting, this meeting, we plan for 90 min long and we will adjourn at 8 30 PM.
And in the event that any questions are not addressed, you can. Use the contact information that we'll provide before the meeting ends and Next slide, please.
We can start the QA. We already have a couple of questions posted. Again, if you have any questions, just please push them to the Q&A portion and or team will.
T them up and we can answer them in the order. That we received them.
But the first question pushed it. What are the impacts to traffic with only having one northbound lane between windy run and spelt run?
Thank you for that question. We'll have one of our team members. Answer that question.
Thanks, Doc. So I'm gonna send this question to Sam Patel. So be able to speak to.
Traffic impacts.
Thanks so much, Caitlin.
No problem. Thank you, Talk. Thank you, Caitlin. So.
Like I mentioned, the only way to safely build that corridor from Wendy to spot is one lane at a time.
There will be traffic bears shall be placed and we we expect you know like in the beginning of the. Project.
We're expecting about 30 to 45 min of the healing to occur to get onto GW property but once you get into the, once you get into the flowing of the traffic, it's like normal.
But it's the queuing that's gonna obviously occur. On the, on the DC side and then expect that to be anywhere basically from 25 to 35 min.
Oh, at least that's what the expectation is. Obviously, we'll, we'll keep monitoring it and we'll.
Be ready like we have been for last. Year or so to be responsive on on any, that is needed.
Thank you.
Thank you, Sam. Next question we have is, how will we be notified if the parkway is closed due to snow?
Thank you.
Thanks, Doc. So I can take this one. With that, as I mentioned before, the GWNP maintenance team has developed a plan.
To how they will be attacking the snow alleviation on the parkway. With that is currently being reviewed by NPS leadership.
That is expected to be finalized in the next upcoming weeks. At that time, will issue a press release with how we plan on moving forward with the winner operations.
Great. Next question we have is. I keep seeing signs posted about major exit change coming. Is that GW.
Parkway or another exit?
Thanks, Doc. I will have a Sam Petal confirm this. But I think it's in reference to 4 95.
Yes, I don't think we have signs on our project corridor that. The only have a few exits on on our project obviously, starting from Spark run.
All the way to 4 95. You have Turkey run CIA 1 23. And obviously we're not changing any exit.
The upon our project limits. We will be doing some detours for 123 like I stated but I'm not sure if this is a 4 95 question.
And we also have one of our team members who's on who may be able to help. Support that question, Rempel.
Yeah, good evening, myself is in Polshar from, V dot Maka projects.
So I'm not aware of any exit change sign that we have on 4 95. No, if you guys can submit a question in writing, maybe we can investigate and get back to the.
Person who asked this question.
Yeah, that question came from Larry and Larry if you can. Hang on after the meeting, we'll get your contact information and respond to you with more complete answer to your question but thank you for the question.
Next up, Larry has another question. It.
Hey, Sam, it's right at the entrance of 4 95 and GW Parkway.
If, if we're able to answer that question, we can respond to Larry now, but also we can, as mentioned, get back to you with more information, Larry.
Sure, thanks, Sam.
If I may just say something dark on this. I think ripple, you may wanna once again fact check me on this.
But the the 4 NFF team is working on that RAM construction, 2 GW Parkway, Southdown.
Yes.
And that's basically a configuration that will change in near future. And I think that's what the Sun is referring to, but Vimple will confirm inviting.
Up to that response but Larry just to let you know if you're coming from 495, G, you'll see a lot of construction on the right side of that.
Where there's a lot of construction equipment, that ramp. Right before the British Kongji LU Parkway, they are gonna slightly shift that alignment and that's what that what they may be referring to but Rimp will confirm that.
Yeah, let me check on that, yes.
Yeah, thank you so much. At the moment we don't have any additional questions and the chat feature for the Q&A.
We want to give folks a few more minutes just in case you have any last minute thoughts or questions to have answered by the group, but here we go.
We have some questions. Coming in.
Okay, next question is from Krishna. In the evening the way to Maryland is always busy.
Can we have both lanes and split at the end? To Virginia and Maryland. Before the 4 95 exit.
Thank you for that question, Krishna.
Doc, I'll take that. So a lot of, of course traffic costs were taken prior to implementing this traffic lane and we also notice from the early on in the project that there were a lot of vehicles that were crossing last minute on that front that were causing a lot of safety issues.
That is the reason we have implemented the traffic pattern that we have and of course there will be backup if you're trying to take the mail and exit unfortunately but that's the safest way otherwise a lot of people are just taken to Virginia.
Exit ramp and trying to work on from Maryland and try to skip the queue. So.
For the safety of the travelers. And the construction workers. That's why this, pattern has been implemented.
Thanks.
Alright, thank you so much. And Larry did get back to us and said that the team was able to answer his question.
So no further follow up would be necessary. Thanks for sharing that Larry.
There are no further questions in the chat. We want to. Thank you for joining us tonight.
We're going to. Be here for a few more minutes just in case any Q&A pops up, but,
But we had a question. Thank you so much for joining us tonight and that concludes our presentation we're going to leave the contact information.
Up here for few minutes as well, just in case you need to jot down any email addresses for any post.
Conference questions that need to be answered and thanks again for joining us.