MCM Construction is taking on the Caltrans $8.5 million Pudding Creek Widening and Rail Upgrade, which consists of rehabilitating the existing two lane, 340-ft. long Pudding Creek Bridge on State Route 1 in Fort Bragg in Mendocino County.(Caltrans photo)
The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) $8.5 million Pudding Creek Widening and Rail Upgrade, being constructed by MCM Construction Inc., is slated for delivery in late October/early November.
The project, financed by SB-1 and local funds, is rehabilitating the existing two lane, 340-ft. long Pudding Creek Bridge (Caltrans Bridge 10-0158) on State Route 1 (SR 1) in Fort Bragg in Mendocino County. The contractor also is building 8-ft. wide shoulders on each side.
"The project is improving safety for motorists, bicyclists, and pedestrians," Manny Machado, a District 1 Caltrans public information officer. "The upgrade will allow pedestrians and cyclists to access ample space to cross the bridge safely."
Construction began on Feb. 13 of this year. Crews are widening the bridge to accommodate two 12-ft.-wide lanes, two 8-ft. wide shoulders, two 6-ft. walkways and new bridge railings to meet current standards. Additional elements include "Complete Streets" improvements by constructing sidewalks on both sides of SR 1 from Pudding Creek Bridge south to Elm Street and north to Pudding Creek Drive, drainage improvements and relocation of the city of Fort Bragg's waterline from the Pudding Creek Dam to SR 1.
The bridge was built in 1959. The project was designed by Caltrans design team.
"A hot tap method was used to bypass the live sewer main, making it possible to relocate on the main without shutting the sewer line off," said Roozbeh [Rooz] Hadipour, Caltrans resident engineer, Redwood Valley Construction Office. "This work was conducted by Tap Master Pipeline Inc. specialty services."
Full nightime closures of the bridge took place on July 18 and Sept. 6-7 to allow crews to complete various aspects of the work.
Although this is a smaller project, it does have some challenges.
‘This is just a one-season schedule and we had to build two phases in a limited time," said Eric Graff, MCM's project manager. "The work is proceeding on schedule.
"The project is complex and on a tight schedule due to the permit stipulations to work over the creek, but on track for the most part," said Hadipour.
Crews are mainly putting in day shifts.
"Due to the nature of the bridge, the contractor had to work with very limited spaces to install sewer, water and electrical connections that cross the structure," said Hadipour. "MCM has very limited work space in order to be able to grant the public continued access to the bridge crossing throughout the project progression."
Relations between MCM and Caltrans are very productive.
"Caltrans has been proactive in keeping the job moving on schedules," said Graff.
"The entire west side of the bridge has been completed," said Hadipour, "and what remains is to finish the east side of the bridge and the final pavement and striping, along with all finishing touch ups. Some sections of the sidewalk need to be demolished and reconstructed to meet the Americans with disabilities act parameters."
The safety of the workers is a constant concern.
"The entire crew was trained and certified to use fall protection equipment and temporary railing was always in place on the edges of the bridge," said Hadipour.
Equipment-wise for the bridge work, MCM is using John Deere 135G excavators, a Cat TI1055 forklift, a crane, air compressors, generators and light plants.
Approximately 1,300 linear ft. of sidewalks are being installed on both sides of SR 1 from Pudding Creek Bridge south to Elm Street and north to Pudding Creek Drive.
"Sidewalk construction on the west section of the road started in April and has been completed," said Hadipour. "The east section is being constructed now and should be finished in October."
For the drainage improvements, crews relocated the city of Fort Bragg's waterline from the Pudding Creek Dam to SR 1.
"We relocated the sewer main to accommodate the wider bridge and created a new crossing to grant access to city water for residents north of Pudding creek," said Hadipour.
The MCM management team is being assisted by MJD, Tap Master and Advantage Reline.
"The work is complex due to having multiple subcontractors in such a limited workspace," said Hadipour. "It is challenging to work without getting in each other's way. The crews have been outstanding, working multiple 12-hour shifts to meet schedules and being away from home all this time, They are making many sacrifices to deliver the project."
Typical days have between 20 and 25 MCM and subcontractor employees on-site. The subcontractors include MJD for drainage; DBE for polyester placement; Crystal O' Neil for electrical; Penhal for bump grinding; Acacia for erosion control; Dirt & Agg for guard railing; Olivera fencing for cable railing; Chrisp for striping; and Rock and Roll for signs.
The final amounts for excavation and demolition have not been finalized yet.
"Most of the excavation spoils have been reused on the same project to rebuild the slopes," said Hadipour. "Concrete debris have been given to GeoAggregates for processing and reused as crushed rock."
The figures for new materials are still being tabulated.
MCM equipment is well maintained and thus far, there have been no major mechanical issues to deal with. Mechanics are brought in as needed.
MCM purchases and rents equipment from local and regional dealerships. CEG
Irwin Rapoport
A journalist who started his career at a weekly community newspaper, Irwin Rapoport has written about construction and architecture for more than 15 years, as well as a variety of other subjects, such as recycling, environmental issues, business supply chains, property development, pulp and paper, agriculture, solar power and energy, and education. Getting the story right and illustrating the hard work and professionalism that goes into completing road, bridge, and building projects is important to him. A key element of his construction articles is to provide readers with an opportunity to see how general contractors and departments of transportation complete their projects and address challenges so that lessons learned can be shared with a wider audience.
Rapoport has a BA in History and a Minor in Political Science from Concordia University. His hobbies include hiking, birding, cycling, reading, going to concerts and plays, hanging out with friends and family, and architecture. He is keen to one day write an MA thesis on military and economic planning by the Great Powers prior to the start of the First World War.
Read more from Irwin Rapoport here.
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