Flour Signs $900 Million Beltway Expansion Deal

Fluor, Transurban and the Virginia Department of Transportation have signed a comprehensive agreement to add four HOT lanes to sections of Interstate 495.

VDOT, Fluor, Transurban sign HOT deal

The Virginia Department of Transportation added another major expansion project to Interstate 495 April 28, signing a comprehensive agreement with Flour Enterprises and Transurban to develop four new high-occupancy toll lanes. The lanes will extend along a 14-mile stretch of I-495 from the Springfield Interchange (pictured) to Georgetown Pike.

RICHMOND, VA - Another major highway expansion is in the works along the sections of Interstate-495 that pass through northern Virginia. The Virginia Department of Transportation signed a comprehensive agreement with Fluor Enterprises of Aliso Viejo, Calif. and Autralia-based Transurban to develop four new high-occupancy toll lanes on the Beltway. The lanes will extend across a 14-mile stretch of I-495 from the Springfield Interchange to Georgetown Pike. Construction cost is estimated at $900 million.

The agreement was signed under the Public-Private Transportation Act, which allows the state to partner with private companies who can build projects efficiently and share the financial risk. The project is currently undergoing an independent environmental review, which is expected to close by December. Subject to completion of the review, the three parties will work to finalize the project's scope, plan of finance, construction schedule and firm fixed price. Financial close is expected in late 2006 and Flour estimates that construction will be completed 55 months after financial close.

The project would add two high-occupancy toll lanes in each direction and would be free for carpoolers, buses and emergency vehicles. All other travelers would pay a variable tool to use the lanes.

Industry eyes base closure recommendations

WASHINGTON, DC - Mid-Atlantic contractors are eagerly following the latest round of U.S. military Base Realignment and Closure (BRAC) recommendations, since the announcement of the plan by Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld in May. Virginia and Washington, D.C., are home to the bases and offices that would be most affected by BRAC in the region.

Such closures have proven to be sources of significant construction contracting in the past. In previous rounds of realignments and closures, sites have undergone years of clean-up and redevelopment, while other sites have been forced to expand to accommodate added personnel.

Mid-Atlantic sites that face closure or realignment include Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, Fort Monroe, Va., and several office spaces leased by the Department of Defense, mostly in northern Virginia. Meanwhile, Fort Belvoir, Va., Fort Lee, Va, and Fort Meade, Md., all could see expansions.

Despite the potential, many of these recommendations might not come to pass, said Stephen Fuller, director of Center for Regional Analysis at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va. Fuller said he is doubtful that leased space, which supports nearly 22,925 people who would be affected by the realignment, is likely to go away so easily.

"If you want to move people from a leased space to a base, that requires new construction and there just isn't a lot of money for those types of projects," Fuller said. "Certain rationalities may force them to pull back those recommendations. No contractors should be firming up any construction plans yet."

Perini/Tompkins joint venture on $350 million deal

WASHINGTON, DC - A joint venture of Tompkins Builders of Washington, D.C., and Perini Corp. of Framingham, Mass., was recently awarded the $350 million Gaylord National Resort and Convention Center project in Prince George's County, Md. The project, which is being developed by Gaylord Hotels, is scheduled for completion in early 2008.

The 42-acre site is the cornerstone of the National Harbor Development, located on the Potomac River, outside of Washington, D.C. Elements of the project include 1,503 hotel rooms, more than 400,000 square feet of convention and meeting space and parking for 2,600 cars.

Work underway at $85 million D.C. Courthouse project

Ground was broken on the Old D.C. Courthouse renovation project in Washington May 10. The $85 million renovation, which was designed by Beyer Blinder Belle, is scheduled for completion in 2007.

WASHINGTON, DC - Ground was broken on the Old D.C. Courthouse renovation project in Washington May 10. The $85 million renovation, which was designed by Beyer Blinder Belle, is scheduled for completion in December 2007.

The courthouse is one of the oldest public buildings in D.C., and will be restored over the next two years to house the D.C. Court of Appeals. The 134,700-sq.-ft. project includes 38,000 sq. ft. of renovation, 4,195 sq. of courtroom work, 8,000 sq. ft. of mechanical work and a 60 ft. by 36 ft. entrance pavilion. The expansion and renovation of the Old Courthouse is part of the Judiciary Square Master Plan.

Skanska signs on as CM at Wistar Institute.

PHILADELPHIA, PA - Skanska USA Building of Blue Bell, Pa., was recently selected to provide construction management master planning services to The Wistar Institute for renovation to its Philadelphia campus. Wistar is a National Cancer Institute-designated cancer center. Preconstruction has started and the project is scheduled for completion in September 2005.

Skanska's focus during preconstruction is to identify, analyze and prioritize anticipated projects that will compliment the institute's overall master planning process. Ballinger of Philadelphia is the architect for the master-planning phase of the project.

Howard County Schools tap Oak Contracting as CM

TOWSON, MD - Howard County Public Schools recently selected Oak Contracting of Towson, Md., as the construction manager for the $20 million Northeast Area Elementary School. The new 117,000-sq.-ft. facility is a prototype elementary school. The project is scheduled for completion in 2007. Ed Lurz serves as project manager and Kim Tabor, who was recently hired by Oak Contracting, is the assistant project manager.

Scott-Long adds four new projects

CHANTILLY, VA - Scott-Long Construction of Chantilly, Va., recently announced several new contracts. The company is providing preconstruction services on a new campus for Lutheran Church of St. Andrew in Silver Spring, Md. Arthur Cotton Moore is the design architect for the 38,000-sq.-ft. facility and VOA Assoc. is the architect of record.

Scott-Long is also providing preconstruction services for the addition and renovation to Congregation Olam Tikvah in Fairfax, Va. Ritter Architects of Alexandria, Va., designed the 24,000-sq.-ft. addition and 22,700-sq.-ft. renovation.

The company was also awarded a preconstruction contract for the center for Sports and Fine Arts at Elizabeth Seton High School in Bladensburg, Md. the 30,100-sq.-ft. addition was designed by Geier Brown Renfrow Architects of Alexandria.

Scott-Long is also constructing a 3,500-sq.-ft. addition to Reston Children's Center in Reston, Va. The project was designed by Architecture Inc. of Reston and the construction Manager is Himes Assoc. of Fairfax, Va.

Highway costs predicted to rise 8 to 12 percent

WASHINGTON, DC - Materials prices could push highway construction cost another eight to 12 percent in 2005, according to William Buechner, vice president of economics & research at the American Road & Transportation Builders Association. Buechner made the prediction at a Road Gang lunch in Washington May 5.

The expected increases come on the heals of a tough 2004, when the cost of materials used in construction rose 8.5 percent, due largely to increases in steel and diesel fuel prices. Although steel prices have stabilized, Buechner said costs of other core materials are soaring with aggregates rising at a 30 percent rate, ready-mix concrete rising 23 percent and asphalt paving mixtures rising 11 percent between January and May.

Bovis Lend Lease recently broke ground on Midtown Bethesda North in Bethesda, Md. Bovis was selected by KSI Services to provide preconstruction and general contracting services on the $51 million 230-unit condominium project.

Bovis breaks ground on $51 million condominium

BETHESDA, MD - Bovis Lend Lease of Bethesda, Md., recently broke ground on Midtown Bethesda North in Bethesda. Bovis was selected by KSI Services to provide preconstruction and general contracting services on the $51 million 230-unit condominium project. Construction is scheduled for completion in spring 2007.

The 19-story, 450,000-sq.-ft. project features five levels of above-grade parking, a fitness room, library, business center, game room, guest suite and a rooftop pool and clubhouse. Dorsky Hodgon + Partners is the architect.

Lerner get started at Sterling Park Tech Center

STERLING, VA - Lerner Enterprises of North Bethesda, Md. recently broke ground on the development of an 80,000-sq.-ft. build-to-suit office/tech building at Sterling Park Technology Park in Sterling, Va.

The project, which is being built for the federal government, is the third phase of the 72-acre business center. Project team members include HITT Contracting of Fairfax, Va., DVA Architects of Gaithersburg, Md., KTA Engineering of Herndon, Va., and SK&A Structural Engineering of Rockville, Md.

Donohoe Construction recently broke ground on Square 103 Student Residence Hall for The George Washington University at 2025 F Street NW in Washington, D.C. The 10-story building is scheduled for completion in June 2006

Donohoe digs in at GWU residence hall

WASHINGTON, DC - Donohoe Construction of Washington, D.C., recently started construction of Square 103 Student Residence Hall for The George Washington University at 2025 F Street NW in Washington, D.C. The 10-story building, which was designed by Ayers/Saint/Gross, is scheduled for completion in June 2006.

The building will consist of one- and two-bedroom units and will provide housing for 379 students. The property also includes two study areas, a community room, a small retail venue, mailroom, vending area, laundry room and one apartment.

Hess kicks off Georgetown Prep project

NORTH BETHESDA, MD - Hess Construction of Gaithersburg, Md., recently broke ground on a new athletic facility and athletic fields for Georgetown Preparatory School in North Bethesda, Md.

The project, which was designed by Leo A. Daly, consists of a 145,000-sq.ft., three-level athletic center comprised of a 1,000-seat basketball gymnasium and field house, a 200-meter indoor track, a 6,000-sq.-ft. weight training/fitness room, a new locker room, new training facilities and administrative and support facilities.

Hess will also construct exterior athletic fields, roadways, parking facilities and site utilities.

Manekin adds another piece to Waters Edge Corporate Campus

BELCAMP, MD - Manekin of Columbia, Md., recently completed the first one-story 9,300-sq.-ft.office building at Waters Edge Corporate Campus in Belcamp, Md. The campus is a $60 million mixed-use project Manekin is developing with Clark Turner at the intersection of Rt. 40 and Bata Blvd.

Manekin completed a second multi-story 80,000-sq.-ft. building in May and is discussing breaking ground on a third building in late summer. When built out, the complex is expected to have four 80,000-sq.-ft. multi-story buildings and 100,000 sq. ft. of single story flex/retail space. The one story buildings were designed by Martin Architectural Group. The multi-story buildings were designed by DR Brasher.

Nason breaks ground on Easter Seals expansion

GEORGETOWN, DE - Nason Construction recently broke ground on a $7.25 million expansion project for Easter Seals Delaware in Georgetown, Del. The project costs include $6 million for construction of the 25,000-sq.-ft. facility. Construction is set for completion early next year.

The expansion is the first phase of a multi-year initiative by Easter Seals to expand its services in Sussex County.

Harkins completes phase II at Mercy Ridge

TIMONIUM, MD - Harkins Builders of Marriottsville, Md., recently completed Phase II construction at the Mercy Ridge continuing care retirement community in Timonium, Md. Harkins' contract called for the addition of several apartments, an indoor pool facility, a community auditorium and a 17-unit addition to the assisted living facility. The architect is CSD, the civil engineer is Daft McCune Walker and the structural engineer is Morabito Consultants. Harkins completed Phase I in October of 2001 on the 30-acre campus.

Structure Tone awarded Red Door Spa

GAITHERSBURG, MD -Structure Tone of Arlington, Va., has been awarded Red Door Spa Elizabeth Arden, a 7,200-sq.-ft. build-out located in the Kentlands Square Shopping Center in Gaithersburg, Md. the facility will include massage rooms, styling space, showers, bathrooms, a café and a food prep area. Construction is to be completed in under a twenty week schedule.

R.W. Murray selected for Arlington animal hospital renovation

ARLINGTON, VA - R.W. Murray of Manassas, Va., has been selected to complete an extensive $1.5 million renovation of the Suburban Animal Hospital in Arlington, Va. The 6,100-sq.-ft. renovation consists of demolishing a large portion of the existing facility and rebuilding it to provide needed space efficiencies, high-tech surgical rooms as well as updating the appearance.

MIE completes two buildings at Quarterfield Center

GLEN BURNIE, MD - MIE Properties of Baltimore, Md., recently completed construction of the fourth and fifth buildings at Quarterfield Center, an $18 million project at the intersection of State Route 174 and Interstate 97 in Glen Burnie, Md. The fourth building is a 7,200-sq.-ft. restaurant/service building. The fifth building is a 61,200-sq.-ft. office building. Upon 50 percent occupancy of building five, MIE will break ground on the campus' final building. MIE is developing the site with Grasmick Lumber as a six-building campus comprising 187,000-sq.-ft. of office and retail space.