Project Overview

Challenge: Extremely high traffic volume, tight schedule

Solution: Communication and planning with all involved, keep one lane open in each direction.

You know the frustration. You’re driving on a crowded stretch of road when suddenly you’re hit with lane closures. Traffic comes to a standstill. No one really knows what the delay is for and the highway crew seems disinterested in your predicament. Oh, and it’s a hot summer day and the kids are fighting in the back seat.

That could have been the case when a busy portion of US Highway 31 just east of Traverse City, Michigan, was reconstructed in April-June, 2015. But it wasn’t.

Reason? Team Elmer’s and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) worked together using a new project proto... Read more

That could have been the case when a busy portion of US Highway 31 just east of Traverse City, Michigan, was reconstructed in April-June, 2015. But it wasn’t.

Reason? Team Elmer’s and the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) worked together using a new project protocol called Construction Manager/General Contractor (CM/GC) to carefully plan the project in advance. Then employed effective communication techniques to inform motorists about the road work. These measures, plus enthusiastic traffic supervisors, and close coordination with the businesses along the corridor, helped ease the pain.

Nick Broad, Team Elmer’s project manager, explains that the innovative approach enabled his company to work with MDOT in planning the project a year before construction began. “We walked the route ahead of time,” he explains. “We had one-on-one contact with people along the right of way, and went to township meetings. We made sure to communicate the expectations early. It was a lot better than showing up with equipment and barricades, with no opportunity to inform people ahead of time.” ...click here to learn more!

By The Numbers

Finished 16 Days Ahead of Schedule
MIOSHA Reportable Incidents: 0
Safety Experience Management Rating (EMR): 0.59
Cold Milling: 124,562 syd
HMA Surface Removal: 59,691 syd
25,221 tons of Gravel
3,402 ft of Culvert
Drainage Structures: 84
HMA: 34,331 tons various
20,349 ft of Curb & Gutter
73,801 sq ft of Sidewalks & ADA Ramps
2,500 cyds of Concrete

Date Started: April 6, 2015
Date Completed: June 18, 2015
Self-Performed: 80%
Partners: MIOSHA, Bella Concrete Construction, Give ‘em A Brake Safety, Inland Seas Engineering, J Ranck Electric, PK Contracting

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