In an effort to meet the increasing growth trends in Ocean, Burlington and Atlantic Counties, the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) retained T&M Associates in 1998 to provide professional services for the construction of an additional lane in each direction of a 50 mile stretch of the Garden State Parkway. The firm’s role included preliminary design, environmental studies and the preparation of permit application documents necessary for construction to begin. The project was the largest undertaking of its kind to date in the State of New Jersey since the initial Parkway construction 50 years ago.
T&M led a team of nine consultants to provide professional services. Work included feasibility studies involving roadway, bridge (including three major water crossings) right-of-way, traffic and drainage elements, aerial topographic mapping, preliminary bridge and roadway design, drainage design (specifically addressing State water quality and storm water management regulations), a Geographic Information System within the project boundaries, and an inventory and assessment of impacts on key environmental resources including air, noise, threatened and endangered plant and animal species and cultural resources.
The project involved the preparation of many State and Federal permit applications including New Jersey Department of Environmental Projection permits (CAFRA, Stream Encroachment, Tidelands Conveyance, Waterfront Development and Freshwater Wetlands); Pinelands Commission Public Development Approval; Army Corps of Engineers permits; and permits from the United States Coast Guard.
Following the initial permitting of the project, the NJTA selected T&M in 2005 to perform Program Management duties for the final design of the widening project from Milepost 63 to 80.8. As part of the Program Manager’s duties, T&M was responsible for the review of Requests for Proposals for scope compliance; review of the Quality Plans provided by the consultants; providing a monthly review of schedule and budget; providing guidance with design criteria, coordination and direction to the three (3) selected design consultants; coordinate utility relocations and agreements; prepare and administer a boring program; and perform quality audits.
T&M is also responsible for providing review of the various phases of design for each section for compliance with the Authority standards. As part of the phase reviews, T&M coordinated the design to be in conformance with the permitting requirements of the many regulatory agencies. T&M also coordinated comments made by the Authority, submitted the comments to the design consultant and coordinated the resolution of comments.
In addition to the widening element of the GSP, T&M was responsible to oversee the development of 6 mainline bridges, 2 overpass bridges, 10 culverts and 51 sign structures. The structures were designed to conform to the strict requirements of the State Historic Preservation Office (SHPO). These elements included scoring of abutments, steel girders painted ‘Parkway Green’ and plain concrete parapet designs. Retaining walls associated with the design were also required to have a flat concrete appearance.
Construction on the widening project officially began in June 2009.