Overview
Timmons Group has worked with the City’s Department of Public Works under an on-call contract since 2004, with projects ranging from sidewalk studies to construction plans for upgrading an urban corridor, from signal designs to restoration of existing roadways and channels in the aftermath of Gaston. We have worked closely with DPW staff in the formation of their own Design Manual. Our Structure & Bridge Design group has performed over 250 task order assignments in the last 8 years, primarily focused on structural design, inspections, and Load Rating analyses for City owned/maintained structures. Representative projects include:
Structural Repair Priority Repair List
Timmons Group has assisted city engineers and inspection staff with the development of a Priority Repair List (PRL – nicknamed “The Pearl”) to aide in identifying critical repair needs and allocating appropriate funding for structures throughout the city. In 2019, we developed the initial database, which included the repair recommendations found in the most recent BSI reports for each structure. Each repair recommendation was categorized as P1 (immediate repair need), P2 (repair needed within 12 months), or P3 (repair needed in 12-24 months), and a cost estimate was developed for each item. We are currently upgrading the database and system to be web-based and easily accessed by staff in multiple departments within the City. This database is the go-to system for the Department of Public Works to position themselves to get the funding they need to maintain their assets.
Riverside Drive Retaining Wall Repair
The City of Richmond requested structural engineering services for a rehabilitation design for a failure along a retaining wall that leads to the Lee Bridge in downtown Richmond. A front panel of a concrete H-wall system had failed. Our structural engineering team conducted an initial site visit to determine the extent of the failure. They then developed a sequence of construction, partial demolition, and repair plan that allowed the off-ramp and adjacent on-ramp to remain open throughout construction. Timmons Group attended an on-site meeting with the contractor once demolition was complete to confirm that the proposed rehab was compatible with subsurface conditions. No deviations from the recommended repairs were necessary, and construction was complete within a matter of days.
Chimborazo Park Remediation
Timmons Group provided on-call assistance for the Chimborazo Park retaining wall emergency repair project. Timmons Group performed an initial site visit within 14 hours of the City’s request to assess the damage, which included washed out backfill material, exposed tiebacks, and an undermined sidewalk behind the existing soldier pile retaining wall. A site visit report and repair cost estimate were provided to the client within 20 hours of the City’s request. Timmons Group coordinated with the contractor, surveyor, and geotechnical engineer to provide proposed repair concepts and construction sequences and provided construction administration, consulting, and inspection services during the repair work.
