GEC was selected as the Owner Verification Firm (OVF) to provide all necessary engineering and related services for Design-Build Construction Support Services for the administration of the Design-Build contract on behalf of LADOTD, along with managing the implementation of the Project’s Construction Quality Assurance Program (CQAP). The project consisted of widening a portion of I-10 between Loyola Drive and Williams Boulevard, adding elevated ramps to and from Loyola Drive, and improving Loyola Drive to enhance operational conditions and increase the capacity to accommodate traffic demand to the new Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport terminal.
GEC provided assistance and support to the LADOTD Project Manager to ensure that the requirements of the contract documents were met. These activities included: acting as the designee of the LADOTD Project Manager at regularly scheduled meetings related to the project, responsibility for all meeting minutes, reviewing and approving required Critical Path Method (CPM) schedule updates, reviewing and approving periodic payment requests from the Design-Builder, ensuring the Design-Builder’s adherence to the Contract, and any other activities deemed necessary by the LADOTD Project Manager to ensure that the contract requirements were met. GEC utilized HeadLight software with an iPad to manage this OV project in Jefferson Parish.
GEC was also responsible for all design acceptance and construction verification services, which were part of the overall project’s Design-Build Quality Assurance Program (QAP), along with construction engineering and inspection services as required for construction of the Design-Build project. GEC assigned a full-time Project Engineer (PE) to this project along with inspection staff.
GEC also oversaw the construction of the first Diverging Diamond Interchange (DDI) traffic configuration in Louisiana. The DDI was opened to traffic in October 2023, following the openings of Ramp F and G in September and October 2023, respectively. The DDI improved traffic flow and safety by eliminating the need for left turn signals at the Loyola Dr. and I-10 interchange. Construction of additional medians, signage, and a new shared-use pedestrian pathway was completed in 2024, and GEC completed project close-out documentation. The project received the Award of Merit in the Highway/Bridge category of the 2024 ENR Texas & Louisiana Best Projects competition.
