LTM's initial challenge in 2002 was to manage 39 roadway projects to a specific budget and complete construction by December 2010. With only four roadway projects remaining to be let to construction, the TIMED program marches forward with all construction completion dates ahead of the December 2010 deadline. As for the budget, the current projected costs are more than $140 million under budget.
With the majority of the roadway projects let to construction, the major portion of LTM's activity has now shifted from Design to Construction. Currently, construction is fully underway on 24 roadway projects with 11 projects already completed and opened to traffic. LTM's construction field staff has grown to exceed 100 employees. It has been exciting to watch the transition of activity from design to construction.
On October 2, 2007, the completion of the LA Hwy. 15 highway corridor was officially celebrated with a ribbon cutting ceremony. Attendees included many state and local officials, members of the local community as well as members of the LTM staff.
As LTM's Design team rounds third base and heads for home, the satisfaction of a job well done is enjoyed by all. However, as challenges arise during the construction process, our design team continues to be involved in finding solutions.
In 2004, LTM was offered another tremendous challenge; take over management of the three major bridge projects in the TIMED Program and manage them to a specific budget and schedule deadline. LTM continues to make great progress on the major bridges in spite of Mother Nature and world market demands on construction materials.
LTM is managing the first design-build transportation contract in Louisiana. Construction is well under way on the John James Audubon Bridge. A large trestle bridge is currently being constructed to be used as a work platform. This unique approach to construction is being taken to reduce work delays which would occur with the use of barges due to the impact the ever-changing river stage would have on them. When complete, the John James Audubon Bridge will be the longest cable-stayed span in North America.
The superstructure widening construction contract has been awarded on the Huey P. Long Bridge over the Mississippi River in Jefferson Parish. With over 50,000 vehicles crossing the bridge and adjoining intersections daily, this project will improve traffic conditions tremendously and is critical to the economic growth of Jefferson Parish and the New Orleans area. Due to these and other factors, the contract was awarded despite the fact that only one bid was received, the amount of which was $150 million over the estimate. This was the result of the international high cost of steel combined with the residual effects of Hurricane Katrina.
The Florida Avenue Bridge Project will provide access between St. Bernard and Orleans parishes over the Inner Harbor Navigational Channel (IHNC) in the New Orleans East area. Work was temporarily suspended on this project due to the impact of Hurricane Katrina on the surrounding area. Work resumed in January 2007 and this project is currently projected to let early in 2008 and construction is expected to be underway soon after with a planned finish date of 2012.
The work of the GEC staff at Louisiana TIMED Managers continues to be vital to the overall success of the project. Please continue to watch with anticipation as we advance toward the completion of another successful project.
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