Project Description
Atwater, California
The Atwater SR 99 Pavement Rehabilitation project, located in the rural city of Atwater in Central California, effectively addressed over four miles of roadway deficiencies and upgraded the aging pavement along Route 99. The project involved extensive pavement rehabilitation, replacement of fiber optic cable systems, structural concrete approach slab construction, and the installation of concrete drainage inlets.
Key to the project’s success was the continuous and collaborative partnering efforts between Caltrans Construction, Design, Survey; Bay Cities Paving and Grading; the City of Atwater; and the California Highway Patrol (CHP). The team worked proactively to identify potential challenges and proposed solutions that minimized disruptions to the traveling public and ensured the project’s timely completion.
Given that all work was performed at night to minimize impact on daily traffic, management-level team members were required to be on-site whenever a new operation began. This on-the-ground presence allowed the team to resolve issues quickly and effectively, preventing any potential obstacles from affecting work progress. For instance, prior to the 40-day closure of the Applegate Interchange, the contractor informed Caltrans that the drainage system within the closure area was not functioning as designed. Caltrans quickly provided guidance, preventing costly delays before the interchange closure. The team also continuously reviewed and modified traffic handling plans at each project phase to alleviate congestion and enhance public safety.
The project included four critical closures that restricted SR 99 access in Atwater, each with tight timelines. Unexpected issues arose, such as utility conflicts with the new drainage systems, challenges in stopping water flow from a leaking irrigation canal, and the discovery of buried man-made objects. Despite these unforeseen complications, the contractor adjusted their methods to accommodate changes, and the team worked collaboratively to find solutions.
A partnering charter was developed at the outset of the project to formalize the partnership’s goals and expectations. VELO Group was chosen as the partnering facilitator, and a kick-off workshop was held to establish the charter. During the workshop, the team defined common goals in key areas such as safety, budget, issue resolution, quality, environmental impact, administrative efficiency, and teamwork. Additionally, a dispute resolution ladder was created to ensure effective conflict resolution throughout the project’s duration. The goals of the charter were evaluated and measured through surveys, a partnering point system and comparative tracking points each month. These evaluations helped the team stay aligned and focused on achieving the project’s objectives.
In addition to the formal charter evaluations, team-building activities such as open discussion meetings were held, creating a positive environment and fostering participation. Walking the jobsite together allowed for better understanding and clarity of issues, enabling the team to create more cost-effective solutions. Communication was strengthened through frequent calls instead of emails, and meetings transitioned to WebEx and Zoom sessions due to the COVID-19 pandemic. These virtual meetings allowed all parties to see one another and share screens when needed. Once it was safe to do so, the team returned to in-person meetings to further solidify relationships.
Partnering Results
- Completed on schedule
- Zero OSHA Recordable Incidents
- Fostered trusting relationships
- Enhanced communication and alignment among all project partners
- Streamlined issue resolution
- Minimized disruptions to the traveling public
- Zero claims
Project Notes
- Schedule: 556 Days
- Budget: $60,923,829
Awards
2024 Caltrans Excellence in Partnering – Silver