Abstract: Rise in traffic volumes of urban highways over the last decades has led to an increasing need for widening both highways and access roads. The present case study deals with the replacement of the Travis Spur Rail Bridge to allow for larger width of roadways that lead to and away from the New Goethals Bridge, which connects Elizabeth, New Jersey, to Staten Island, New York, in the United States. The main objective of the project was to apply a rapid method for the replacement of the existing bridge, which was performed during the Columbus Day weekend (7-9 October 2017). Considerations of all existing constraints, which include high traffic volumes and limited space for material laydown and equipment positioning, are presented first. To respond to these challenges careful planning of the construction steps of the substructure (cap beams supported on circular piers) and the superstructure of the bridge (two-span steel deck) had to be carried out both temporally and spatially before the replacement weekend, which is described in the second part of the paper. The final part presents the different phases of the demolition / replacement process to minimize traffic disruption.Abstract: Rise in traffic volumes of urban highways over the last decades has led to an increasing need for widening both highways and access roads. The present case study deals with the replacement of the Travis Spur Rail Bridge to allow for larger width of roadways that lead to and away from the New Goethals Bridge, which connects Elizabeth, New Jersey, to...Show More
Abstract: Cost overrun and delays are major impediments to project completion in road construction industry globally. Stakeholder participation in construction cycle could present a solution to these challenges. The purpose of this study was therefore, to examine the influence of stakeholder participation in project initiation on completion of urban road transport infrastructure projects in Kenya. The unit of analysis was the road construction projects implemented by Kenya Urban Roads Authority (KURA). Pragmatic research paradigm was chosen for this study to facilitate mixed research methods. The study adopted descriptive survey and correlational research designs. The target population was 1593 and the sample size was 309 respondents. Purposive and simple random sampling procedures were utilized. A five-point Likert type scale questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data while interview guides were used to collect qualitative data. The study then applied both descriptive and inferential statistics for the data analysis. The study found that participation in project initiation had a positive and significant influence on the completion of urban road transport infrastructure projects in Kenya (r=0. 859, R2=0. 737, F (1, 212)=594.869, p<0.001<0.05). The study established that there was a positive influence of participation in project initiation on completion of urban road transport infrastructure projects in Kenya. The study recommends formulation of a policy framework to sensitize stakeholders on their participation in project initiation, project design and project construction to enhance effective project implementation and completion. The study recommends hiring of competent and experienced project managers to ensure effective implementation of urban road transport infrastructure.Abstract: Cost overrun and delays are major impediments to project completion in road construction industry globally. Stakeholder participation in construction cycle could present a solution to these challenges. The purpose of this study was therefore, to examine the influence of stakeholder participation in project initiation on completion of urban road tra...Show More