Dallas Horseshoe Project

Transcription

1 Dallas Horseshoe Project NEWSLETTER Volume 3 Winter 2014 Construction Progresses into the New Year View of downtown Dallas and Interstate 35E with new bridge structures visible along the highway (bottom right). Signs of construction and progress on the Dallas Horseshoe Project are becoming more evident on the roadways. Drivers along interstates 30 and 35E can now see cranes and bridge columns rising along the existing highway structures, joining the Dallas skyline. The $798 million design-build highway construction project by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) broke ground in April 2013 and construction started shortly after to improve traffic flow through the heart of downtown Dallas and the Mixmaster. Initial project construction has focused on building frontage roads and bridge areas outside of existing mainlanes to help minimize traffic impacts created by the project. The construction crews are working to build the new structures first, working from the outside in. Once the new structures are complete, traffic will be moved onto the newly built frontage roads and work will begin on the demolition of the existing bridges and lanes, and construction of the new mainlane bridges. This four-year project, expected to be complete by summer 2017, includes the construction of the signature Santiago Calatrava-designed, Margaret McDermott Bridge over I-30. Continued on Page 2 1

2 Inside This Issue Construction Progresses into the New Year...1 Stay Connected On-the-Go with the Dallas Horseshoe Project Mobile App...2 Dallas Horseshoe Project s Heavy Highway Training Program Gets Down to Business...3 At a Glance...3 Quest for Success Awards Honors Dallas Horseshoe Project DBE Contractors...4 One-on-One Meetings...4 DBE Program Contacts...4 DBE Spotlight: Mas-Tek Engineering & Associates...5 Procurement Schedule...5 PLC Raises Funds for Dallas Children s Advocacy Center...6 Media Contact...6 Connect with Us...7 Construction Progresses continued from Page 1 In addition to increasing lanes and adding frontage roads on bridges over the Trinity River, the new structures will be built 10 to 12 feet higher to allow for raising of the levees in the future and for a potential travel clearance on top of the levee. As par t of the construction, the eastbound I-30 Commerce Street exit ramp temporarily closed during the month of December and is scheduled to reopen in time for the NCAA Final Four tournament in April As Dallas hosts one of the biggest spor ting events in the nation, this ramp will reopen, giving drivers access back to the I-30 Commerce Street exit. Another change along the roadway is the relocation of the Eighth Street on-ramp to northbound I-35E, which has been moved a few hundred feet to the north of its original location to improve the flow of traffic on the highway. To help keep drivers and stakeholders up-to-date about closures, the project team has created numerous ways to communicate information. Please see Page 7 for ways to connect with the project. Stay Connected On-the-Go with the Dallas Horseshoe Project Mobile App Interested in learning about the Dallas Horseshoe Project on-the-go? There s an app for that! There s an app for that, first coined back when Apple released the iphone 3GS in 2009 as part of their advertising campaign, now applies to heavy highway projects. The Dallas Horseshoe Project now has mobile apps available on Apple itunes (iphone, ipad and ipod) and Android Google Play stores. The mobile app is easy to navigate and has up-to-date project information in three different categories. Viewers are able to see current travel conditions through Google Maps and receive navigation help from the link. Up-to-date lane closures with maps (if applicable) and a list of project events are also available. The app allows users to send s to the project team and dial the project hotline (214-Fix-MixD/ ) by selecting the hotline button without having to dial the number. The app also provides links to the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) website, as well as to other projects in the area. Download the app for Apple and Android smart phones and tablets today. The Blackberry app will be available in the near future. Please do not use the mobile app while driving, as per the disclaimer when you open the app from your device. 2

3 Dallas Horseshoe Project s Heavy Highway Training Program Gets Down to Business Over 50 attendees joined the Pegasus Link Constructors (PLC) Project Team for the second Heavy Highway Training Program on Jan. 23 at the Dallas/Fort Worth Minority Supplier Development Council offices. This second meeting of the eightsession training program featured Martha Arnold from the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT), covering the topic of DBE Programs with TxDOT. Created to help Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) firms interested in contract work on heavy highway projects, the Heavy Highway Training Program covers a variety of topics aimed at helping DBE firms grow their size and capacity. The program began with a kick-off meeting on Dec. 5 and the previous session covered the topic of How to do Business on Heavy Highway Projects on Dec. 19. An essential part of the Dallas Horseshoe Project s DBE Program is not only to employ diverse firms on this project, but aid in their success on future projects, said Ruben Landa, DBE Administrator for the Dallas Horseshoe Project. We were especially lucky to have Martha Arnold come to speak to attendees at the second training session. Events like this truly showcase the strong partnership of DBEs and TxDOT. Six future training sessions have been outlined as part of the program including topics such as peer partnerships, marketing and business development, and safety and security. We hand-picked a variety of topics that relate to all businesses, no matter what the size, and chose industry professionals to lead each session who can provide real work experience and advice, said Landa. For more information on the program or to register for the next session, contact Ruben Landa at rlanda@kstrategies.com At a Glance DBE firms involved in the project Including KYSU Group, STL and Cowboy Trucking One-on-One Meet & Greets conducted as of February 2014 Public Outreach events participated in, including the RHCA, GDHCC and H-PAC Regional Legislative Symposium TOP: Martha Arnold, Business Development Section Director for the Texas Department of Transportation s Office of Civil Rights, speaks at the Pegasus Link Constructor s second Heavy Highway Training Program on Jan. 23 to over 50 attendees. BOTTOM: Members from Pegasus Link Constructors (PLC) and the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) pose for a picture during the second session of the Heavy Highway Training Program. (from left to right) Ruben Landa (PLC), Martha Arnold (TxDOT), Trena Brand (TxDOT), Adrienne Williams (PLC) and Noraima Parez (TxDOT). 3

4 Quest for Success Awards Honors Dallas Horseshoe Project DBE Contractors In 1985, the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce (DBCC) established the Quest for Success Awards Luncheon to recognize African American entrepreneurs in the Dallas/Fort Worth area for their business achievements and services to the community. Since then 29 luncheons have been held annually to recognize black entrepreneurs working to cultivate the growth and development of their respective fields and businesses. This year s luncheon on Feb. 5 marked the 30th awards luncheon and celebrated several honorees, two of which are currently Disadvantaged Business Enterprise contractors for the Dallas Horseshoe Project. The first honoree, Chris M. Adams, president/ceo of Brooklyn Sweeps, Inc., was recognized for both his leadership and his company. Brooklyn Sweeps provides full-service street sweeping including parking lot, subdivision, construction site and highway sweeping as well as debris removal. The company, named after Adams daughter, has 10 employees with operations in Texas, Colorado and Arizona. The company is a professional service DBE firm contracted for the Dallas Horseshoe Project to remove debris off the project corridor along interstates 30 and 35E in downtown Dallas in the Mixmaster. The second honoree, Stephen Mason, president of Mas-Tek Engineering & Associates, (featured in the DBE Spotlight) was honored for his firm s services to the construction industry for materials testing. Please see Page 5 for Mason s story of overcoming economic challenges, a family tragedy and stepping up to an executive leadership role at the age of 21. Hosted by John McCaa of WFAA, the Dallas/Fort Worth affiliate of ABC, the luncheon honored a total of nine influential and talented individuals for their commitment, dedication and hard work in their industry and in the community. Members of the Quest for Success Luncheon and the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce and this year s award recipients, Chris M. Adams (top picture, center) Stephen Mason (bottom picture, center). One-on-One Meetings Want to talk to the PLC Project Team about opportunities for your DBE firm to be a part of the four-year, $798 million Horseshoe Project? Take advantage of this opportunity to share your product or service with the Project Team and find out about upcoming project opportunities. All you have to do is contact us! To set up your one-on-one, contact Ruben Landa at rlanda@kstrategies.com or DBE Program Contacts Want more information about opportunities with the Horseshoe Project? Go to /opportunities or opportunities@dallashorseshoe.com Adrienne Williams DBE Manager adrienne.williams@plcjv.com Ruben Landa DBE Administrator rlanda@kstrategies.com

5 DBE Spotlight: Mas-Tek Engineering & Associates It seems hard to believe that 20 years have gone by since 1994 Bill Clinton was serving his first term as president; the Winter Olympics in Lillehammer, Norway, were marked by figure skating scandals; and Forest Gump took home an Academy Award for Best Picture. Meanwhile in Dallas, Cornelius Mason made the decision to expand Quality Management Consulting to begin a new venture, Mas-Tek Engineering & Associates (MTE). Founded with the vision to deliver consistently dependable, quality geotechnical engineering and construction materials testing services to clients throughout North Texas, the company philosophy and commitment to quality endures as strongly today as in Over the last 20 years, MTE has seen its share of changes, including expansion of services and staff, fluctuating economic times and the tragic loss of their founder Cornelius Mason. Following in his father s footsteps, Stephen Mason became the president of MTE at the young age of 21 and quickly worked to surround himself with mentors and industry professionals to carry on his father s company. MTE is grateful for the success it has experienced over the past 20 years and is further grateful for the North Central Texas Regional Certification Agency s (NCTRCA) D/M/WBE Program to assist firms like MTE to overcome obstacles and challenges faced by most D/M/WBE firms, said Mason. Over the last 15 years, MTE has been working with clients such as the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and Pegasus Link Constructors (PLC), providing a variety of services, including quality materials testing for the Dallas Horseshoe Project. There are many values that are important with DBE inclusion on the Dallas Horseshoe Project, said Mason. DBE certified firms can be stereotyped as a less-qualified company, but MTE has been given the opportunity to exemplify our integrity in producing quality work and prove our worthiness for additional opportunities. By the end of this project, we foresee having built a strong relationship with PLC and TxDOT to position ourselves as a forerunner in the eyes of the client for future work. ABOVE RIGHT: Mas-Tek Engineering & Associates President Stephen Mason took over the executive leadership of his company after the tragic loss of his father and founder. Mason has since gone on to be the recipient of the 2014 Quest for Success Award from the Dallas Black Chamber of Commerce, recognizing his leadership skills and the success of his company. Procurement Schedule The Pegasus Link Constructors (PLC) Project Team is committed to maximizing opportunities for Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs) to work on the Horseshoe Project. Below is a schedule of procurement opportunities associated with the project Procurement Asbestos Abatement Bridge Deck Grooving Bridge Drains Bridge Fencing Compost Concrete Flatwork Demolition Frame & Grates Granite Benches & Curbs Guard Rail Metal Pipe Metal Railing Milling Mowing Painting Pavement Grinding Saw & Seal CRCP Seeding & Sodding Stamped Concrete 5

6 PLC Raises Funds for Dallas Children s Advocacy Center The employees of Pegasus Link Constructors (PLC) gave back to the community this past holiday season by donating $4,560 to Dallas Children s Advocacy Center (DCAC). During the month of November, PLC employees raised funds for the charity through a friendly basketball tournament pool at the office. The donation went to support the DCAC and their mission to improve the lives of abused children in Dallas County and to provide national leadership on child abuse issues. I m proud of the PLC team s willingness to provide assistance to this worthy cause through this donation, said Bob Stevens, project director of the Dallas Horseshoe Project. This is not just a donation, but an investment in the children of our community. The DCAC first opened its doors in February 1991 as one of the first advocacy centers of its kind in Texas. Since then, they have provided a coordinated, multi-agency approach to the investigation, intervention and treatment of child abuse. This past year, we have seen more than 2,600 kids and their supportive family members use the services of DCAC, said Chris Culak, DCAC chief development officer. Fortunately, children in our community have an advocate in Bob Stevens, project director of the Dallas Horseshoe Project, presents a $4,560 check to Lynn Davis, president and CEO of Dallas Children s Advocacy Center. the DCAC and this donation will assist the organization in their mission to continue to protect and represent the children of our community, said Stevens. None of our work would be possible without support from groups like Pegasus Link Constructors, said Culak. Thank you. As a nonprofit public/private collaboration, DCAC provides education and resources to parents and the community, as well as therapy for support for abused children and their families. For more information please visit Media Contact Want more general project information for the Dallas Horseshoe Project? Go to /news or info@dallashorseshoe.com Katrina Keyes Public Relations/Media Director kkeyes@kstrategies.com

7 Connect with Us Learn more about the Dallas Horseshoe Project, the major roadway construction project dedicated to Fixin the Mix in downtown Dallas along interstates 30 and 35E. Sign up to receive project updates, construction progress, traffic alerts, detours and project events. Like us us Follow us Call us Text us Visit us FIX-MIXD or at the Project Storefront 160 Continental Ave., Dallas, Texas Text dallashorseshoe to Mobile App Download Dallas Horseshoe 7

8 214-Fix-MixD