Client: Gilchrist Construction Company, LLC
State Project No. H.011670 1 & H.011670.2
Location: Jefferson Parish, LA
The Loyola Interchange Design-Build Project created an entrance ramp into the Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport. A diverging diamond interchange was used to improve traffic flow at the intersection of Loyola Drive and I-10, which eliminated the need for left turn signals to access Loyola Drive from the interstate. This was one of the first diverging diamond interchanges constructed in Louisiana and reconfigured the proposed elevated on and off ramps from New Orleans to a single structure in the median of Airport Access Road. This project totaled $125M was funded by the state’s first issuance of GARVEE bonds.
Providence was the Construction Quality Control Firm (CQCF) and provided utility relocation monitoring, environmental Compliance management, staffed the Construction Quality Control Manager (CQCM), and developed the Construction Quality Management Plan (CQMP) for the execution of the construction activities in accordance with current DOTD specifications and requirements. Responsibilities of the CQCF included plan development, monitoring construction activities, materials collection and testing, construction documentation, and project closeout.
Some of the specific QC activities included bridge construction, embankment & base course construction, non-plastic embankment (sand), class II stone, full depth asphalt, subsurface drainage, Portland cement concrete paving, asphaltic concrete paving, temporary traffic control, and survey verification. Some of the challenges included nighttime work (girder erection and concrete deck pours), and planning for inspection of work that had not been designed.