It was on March 10, 2023, that crews from C.W. Matthews Contracting Co. Inc. initiated construction on the Georgia Department of Transportation's (GDOT) $21 million State Route 22 at County Road 1505/Bradley Park Drive diverging diamond interchange (DDI) project in Columbus.
The project is converting a cloverleaf interchange at Bradley Park Drive at SR 22/U.S. 80/J.R. Allen Parkway to a DDI. It includes two new signals on the east and west sides of the existing Bradley Park Drive overpass bridge.
Georgia Department of Transportation photo
With 88 percent of the work completed, C.W. Matthews is looking to deliver the project in early spring next year.
"The current bridge will be retained and modified to accommodate the DDI," according to the project web page, noting that a 5-ft.-wide sidewalk will be added on the outside except across the existing bridge at the DDI, where 8-ft. sidewalk will be added in the median. "The existing cloverleaf ramps will be removed, leaving only the diamond ramps with the DDI."
A DDI, also known as a double crossover diamond (DCD), is a diamond interchange that directs traffic to the opposite side of the road across an interchange, so vehicles have unimpeded movement onto the freeway ramps.
"Left-turn movements, which are a typical challenge with standard four-way interchanges, are eliminated with a DDI," said Gina Snider, a GDOT spokesperson. "The benefits of DDIs are fewer conflict points, reductions in wrong-way entries to ramps, reducing speeding at intersections, minimizing driver confusion and cost-effective interchange solutions."
State and federal funds are financing the project. The preliminary engineering costs are $2,346,605, right-of-way costs are $270,000 and the construction costs are $18,946,733.
KCI Technologies Inc. designed the project.
The traffic management plan is based on lane closures and detours. Motorists are slowing down in the work zones.
Georgia Department of Transportation photo
"Overall, motorists have responded well to the posted signage and reduced speed limits throughout the work zone," Snider said. "GDOT and law enforcement have been proactive in promoting safety awareness, and continued messaging has encouraged drivers to slow down and stay alert while passing through the area. It is the responsibility of C.W. Matthews to ensure efficient and safe access for equipment and material deliveries."
To date, C.W. Matthews has completed the following elements: grading and drainage improvements; base and paving operations; installation of barrier walls; signal and lighting foundations; and major utility relocations. The remaining work consists of final paving and striping; signal and lighting installation; landscaping; and final punch-list activities.
"The pace of work has been steady and productive," Snider said. "Despite some weather and logistical challenges, C.W. Matthews has maintained progress and met key milestones through effective planning and resource management. While not a full 24/7 operation, C.W. Matthews has utilized extended work hours and weekend operations when necessary to meet schedule goals and minimize impacts to the traveling public."
Operations to convert the cloverleaf interchange to a DDI have proceeded smoothly and on schedule, with crews following the plan to reconfigure existing infrastructure.
Paving and repaving operations are a major element, covering lanes and ramps.
Georgia Department of Transportation photo
To protect workers, cones are placed along sections where milling and repaving is occurring. One driving lane has been closed to provide crews with the space needed for coordinating various activities.
At one location where Stage 4 paving took place, a Wirtgen HD 90i tandem roller was engaged. Adjacent to the exit that was being paved, a Cat mini excavator helped to remove debris from a recent milling operation.
At another location at the interchange, a large section of road covering three lanes between the curb and existing lanes was fully excavated to the base. A Wirtgen W 250i milling machine was removing a top layer of asphalt, approximately 7 or 8 in., and placing the milling into a Corey Williams Hauling Inc. loader. By closing off several lanes at one time, the milling operations could clear a large area to prepare it for repaving.
C.W. Matthews and subcontractor employees, including those from E.R. Snell Contractor Inc. and Corey Williams Hauling Inc., are typically on site five days a week. Busy days had a minimum of 30 personnel at the job site.
The amounts of materials generated by excavation and demolition are still being determined. Materials such as millings, concrete and earth are being recycled.
"New materials such as asphalt, aggregate base, concrete, bridge beams, light poles, and drainage structures are being delivered regularly to support ongoing phases of the project," Snider said. "GDOT and the contractor closely monitor material quantities and testing to ensure all materials meet specifications and quality standards before being placed in the field."
C.W. Matthews and E.R. Snell own sizable fleets of equipment, which they maintain with a staff of mechanics at their shops and in the field, be it for daily wear and tear repairs or critical routine maintenance to minimize breakdowns.
The companies buy and rent equipment from local and regional dealerships. CEG
