ms NewsNotes Fall/Winter 2011

8/3/2019 ms NewsNotes Fall/Winter 2011

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ms consultants, inc. engineers, architects, plann

Pi t t sburgh br idges being rehabi l i t a tedConstruction underway on multiple bridge projects

See story starting on page

all 2011 -- volume 20, issue 2


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Bridges, br idgesever yw here!

If youve ever spent any time driving in and arou

Pittsburgh you quickly realize that you cant go anywhe

without crossing a bridge. There are bridges everywhe

you turn and bridges of all shapes and sizes - arch bridg

beam bridges, truss bridges, suspension bridges - y

name it, theyve got it.

In fact, a study published in 2006 counted 446 bridg

within the city limits, and that didnt count the many mobridges within surrounding Allegheny County.

Pittsburgh beat out the city of Venice, Italy, as t

world record holder for the most bridges within any city

Pittsburgh Public Works is spend$7 million replacing the McArdleViaduct No. 1 in what is the cityslargest road or bridge project in 2

Photo at right: The Jacks Run Bron Lincoln Avenue just finished brehabilitated and is now open to t

Cover photo: The Boston Bridge

southeastern Allegheny County isbeing rehabilitated.


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With the city located at the junction of three rivers and with a

topography made up of sizeable hills, valleys and ravines in every

direction, bridges and tunnels quickly became integral to the

Pittsburgh areas transportation network. So its probably no

surprise that maintenance for all of those structures becomes a

major issue.

Thats where ms consultants has been able to step in and help.

ms has worked on a number of bridges in the region over theyears, providing structural analysis, engineering design and

construction inspection and administration.

The firm currently has three area bridges in various stages of

construction rehabilitation - the Jacks Run Bridge, the McArdle

Viaduct (No. 1) and the Boston Bridge.

All are important transportation links within their respective

parts of the city or county, and all are different types of bridges

that span different types of topography.

The Jacks Run Bridge is located in the Borough of Bellevue.

Bellevue is an older community just northeast of downtown

3

Pittsburgh and the bridge on Lincoln Avenue carries vehicles an

pedestrians over Jacks Run, a deep ravine that cuts through th

neighborhood.

This project involved the rehabilitation of an open spandr

concrete deck arch, built in 1926. The deck arch includes

approach spans, 15 feet to 20 feet long, and a 320-foot-long ma

span for a total length of 590 feet. The deck arch supports a two

lane roadway with 7-foot shoulders and two sidewalks.The bridge replacement included expansion dams, s

concrete floorbeams, four concrete columns and utilized galvan

anode corrosion protection. ms consultants replaced the drainag

system and bearings, and installed decorative lighting along th

sidewalks on the bridge.

To maintain some connectivity for the neighborhood durin

construction, the bridge was closed to vehicles but pedestria

traffic was maintained at all times.

The Jacks Run Bridge was an American Recovery an

Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) funded project.


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Pittsburgh Public Works is also spending

million replacing the McArdle Viaduct No

in what is the citys largest road or brid

project in 2011.

Built in 1933, the bridge stretches ov

Norfolk Southern Railway tracks near Windo

Street and is a gateway to the South Side f

motorists coming from the Liberty Tunnel a

Mt. Washington.The McArdle Viaducts are included in

Pittsburgh History and Landmarks Foundati

survey of potentially important sites, structur

objects, and buildings in Allegheny County.

Viaduct No. 1 is a 541-foot-long structu

consisting of 11 simple-span, multi-gird

spans varying in length from 25 feet to 31 fe

and one 215-foot-long through truss span ov

railroad tracks.

ms consultants provided complete consuing engineering services, including an in-dep

inspection for both Viaducts 1 and 2 to det

mine the approach to rehabilitating these stru

tures. This process included general inspe

tions, field inspections and material testing, a

structural analyses. Design work for t

rehabilitation included structural, roadway a

traffic engineering. Final design involv

reconstruction of the roadway approach

including maintenance of alignment at t

intersection with Arlington Avenue.

ms was responsible for collecting a

analyzing data for development of the Catego

cal Exclusion Evaluation (CEE) and Prelim

nary Area Reconnaissance (PAR), which iden

fies the potential for contaminated areas.

More specifically, the team collected de

information, assessed potential social impac

located any known hazardous waste site

conducted soil samples, and developed

historical and archaeological submission f

historic review at the Pennsylvania Historic

and Museum Commission. The submissi

included additional coordination with a histo

cal consultant for the development of a Histo

Structures Survey, Criteria of Effects Rep

and a Historic American Engineering Record

Rehabilitation of the viaducts includ

replacement of the superstructure and all of t

steel bents. The simple-span superstructue Jacks Run Bridge carriescoln Avenue over a deep

vine that cuts through therough of Bellevue.


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will be replaced with continuous girders, eliminating several

existing expansion dams. The existing sidewalk was replaced, but

due to the historic nature of the structure, the original pedestrian

hand railing was modified and reused. New decorative light poles

were designed to meet the original design.

To verify the condition of the existing concrete piles support-

ing the foundations, test pits and pile integrity tests were

performed. It was determined that the existing unreinforced

concrete piles supporting the steel bents and abutments were

overstressed. To strengthen the substructure, rock anchors were

utilized to reinforce the shear resistance of the foundations.

The Boston Bridge project involves the rehabilitation of an

existing steel cantilever through-truss and twin girder approach

spans, built in 1931. There are five twin-girder approach spans, 60

feet to 107 feet long, and three main truss spans, measuring 150

feet, 420 feet and 150 feet, totaling 1,182 feet.

The bridge carries S.R. 48 over the Youghiogheny River in

Versailles Borough and Elizabeth Townships in Allegheny

County. S.R. 48 tapers from two to three lanes over the length of

the structure with a sidewalk on each side of the bridge.

ms planned the replacement of the deck, including stringers

and expansion dams, the drainage system and bearings. The

existing decorative bridge railing was reused. Approximately 200

feet of roadway on each side of the bridge was also upgraded.

5

Other work included seismic retrofit of existing truss bearing

replacement of truss pins and tie-downs and strengthening of tru

gusset plate connections. The new deck was comprised of 5 3/16

steel grid with half-depth concrete in-fill. This deck type wa

selected to reduce the dead load on the truss and speed up dec

replacement.

One of the most challenging project aspects was replaceme

of four truss tie-down pin and linkage assemblies that anchor th

end of truss to the piers. The project team evaluated a number o

different options to replace these members within the very tig

existing construction schedule. The non-redundant member

under dead load tension, and therefore a temporary tie-dow

system was designed to anchor the bridge during replacemen

The new linkage was designed to be fully internally redundant.

Because of the long detour route vehicles would have t

endure, required bridge closures were compressed into an 85-da

schedule. Pedestrian traffic was accommodated across the bridg

for the entire project with the exception of 14 days for the pin an

linkage replacement.

The project is scheduled for completion by the end of 2011.

For more information about any of these bridge project

please contact Gary Gardner or Dan Wills in the Pittsburg

office at (412) 264-8701, or e-mail [email protected].

The Boston Bridge carries S.R. 48 overhe Youghiogheny River in VersaillesBorough and Elizabeth Townships insoutheastern Allegheny County.


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Colum bus Innerbe l t p ro jec t beg in

consultants created this photorealisticmputer rendering to show what the0/I-71 (east) interchange will look likeon completion.

e view is looking slightly northwest.

e photo at right shows the eastrchange as it looks today.


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ons t ruc t i onThe reconstruction of the I-70/I-71 Columbus Crossroa

Project has officially begun as the Ohio Department of Tra

portation (ODOT) started closing certain ramps and lan

along the downtown route in September.

The massive and complex project will be completed

phases, with the I-71/I-670 interchange rebuild as the first

three scheduled projects designed to reduce crashes, weavi

traffic and congestion.

The interchange averages approximately 137,000 vehic

per day, twice as many as it was designed to accommodate.

Construction crews are beginning work on the und

ground drainage system.

The rebuild is estimated to cost $200 million.

After that project is completed, ODOT plans to rebuild t

I-70/I-71 interchange, a little further south near Nationw

Childrens Hospital (shown at left).

The third phase will be the reconstruction of I-71 betwe

the two interchanges.

Those two projects will cost an estimated $368 million apush construction into 2015.

More phases are planned, including reconstruction of t

I-70/I-71/SR 315 interchange to the west and I-70/I-71 alo

the southern edge of downtown.

Periodic updates will be published in this newsletter and

www.msconsultants.com as the projects progress.

For more information, please contact project manager T

Hibbard in the Columbus office at 614.898.7100, or em

[email protected].

7


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New sec t ion o f US 35opens in West V i r g in ia

8

U.S. Route 35 runs northwest-southeast for more than 400

miles from northern Indiana into West Virginia, where it connects

to Interstate 64. Most of the portion that runs through Ohio has

already been upgraded to a four-lane highway/freeway, starting

west of Dayton all the way to the West Virginia state line.

In West Virginia, from the Ohio River to Interstate 64, U.S. 35

is being expanded to a four-lane expressway. Currently the route is

four lanes from I-64 to the junction with the bridge to Buffalo, and

continues as a two-lane route for 12 miles to another four lane

section of eight miles to the Ohio River.

As one of the main connectors between Columbus, Ohio, and

Charleston, West Virginia, the highway carries a heavy volume of

vehicles, including numerous semi-trailers. Completion of all

sections of the highway on the West Virginia side would create a

four-lane route (with I-64) between the two cities.

ms consultants prepared construction plans, specification

construction cost estimates and right-of-way plans for th

construction of a three and eight tenths mile section of U.S. 3

just west of C.R. 40 in Mason County, West Virginia.

The project starts with a high speed connector tying into o

U.S. 35 (now designated WV 817), which transitions into a fo

lane divided highway with a 46-foot median. The new alignme

extends northwest for almost four miles before tying back into th

existing four-lane section of U.S. 35 just south of the Ohio Rive

The scope of services included right-of-way plans th

involved more than 30 parcels. The high-speed connector run

adjacent to various small residential parcels, which containe

driveways, utilities and septic tanks.

As a result, many existing utilities needed to be relocate

during construction.


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Due to the fast-track nature of this project, the property was

acquired even before the final roadway plans were finished.

Various revisions and accommodations were made during the

acquisition process to satisfy local residents.

A number of new bridges were necessary to cross existing

creeks and local roads, including a two span, 304-foot bridge that

spans Lower Ninemile Creek and CR 38. Curved steel plate

girders are provided with a concrete deck, cap and column piers

on piles, and a combination of integral and semi-integral

abutments on spread footings and piles.

Ten major culverts were included with this project and

approximately 3,500 feet of creek was relocated using Natural

Stream Channel Design procedures.

Many of the connector roads to the highway traverse steep

slopes, deep cuts and sharp turns because of the topography, and

the four-lane highway itself experiences significant changes in

elevation over its length.

The remaining 12-mile section of U.S. 35 that is still two lanes

is currently unfunded.For more information about this project or others currently

underway in West Virginia, please contact our Charleston office at

304.346.1211 or [email protected].


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Indoor at h let i c t ra in ing fac i l i t y opensYSU welcomes addition of WATTS to athletic program

10

ms consultants provided final design services and construction

administration for a new indoor sports practice facility for various

athletic teams at Youngstown State University (YSU). The facility

provides athletes with year-round training amenities and protec-

tion from weather conditions.In order to determine the necessary requirements and potenti-

alities, ms was previously hired to conduct a preliminary program

assessment. Several program options were developed to provide a

main field house and support spaces. The main field house was

envisioned to encompass an indoor football field, 300-meter track,

batting cages, long jump pits, high jump pads, pole vault pads, and

other indoor field activities. The support space includes a lobby,

public restroom, mens and womens locker rooms, and athlet

storage with a total square footage was 125,000.

Due to the size of the facility, ms reviewed four possible sit

located on the YSU campus. These sites were evaluated for bo

positive and negative attributes regarding site conditions, proximity to existing athletic infrastructure, available parking, pedestri

and traffic control, site densities, and visual impact analysis.

Additionally, the architects reviewed three building types

accommodate the required program. The building types reviewe

consisted of a steel frame structure with fabric sheathing;

conventional metal building system; and an inflatable air structu

with tension cables.


11/1611

The steel fabric structure (SFS) and the metal building are

permanent facilities. The inflatable air structure was a temporary

proposal. A cost analysis was also conducted for each building and

program combination.

University officials collaborated with ms in selecting a

preferred site (Elm Street at Eastbound Service Road) and a build-

ing type (a conventional metal facility), and worked with the

project team on final design details. Design development, contract

documents, specifications, and bidding assistance were providedby the team for the architectural, electrical and structural elements

of the building with assistance of teammates CJL Engineering for

mechanical/electrical/plumbing design and Resource Interna-

tional for site civil engineering.

The design team worked with LEED Certification as a goal.

The project addresses sustainable site design through the use of

reflective paving surfaces in the limited parking area and reflec-

tive roof material to limit heat island effects on the building and

surrounding campus area. The proposed building is anticipated

have an energy consumption savings of 22% annually. The facilityreduces water consumption by 44% through efficient water

fixtures and regional plant materials that eliminate the need for

irrigation. Construction waste was recycled and diverted from

local landfills. The building utilizes recycled materials sourced

from regional manufacturers within a 500 mile radius, and the

interior envelope utilizes low emitting finishes to improve the

indoor air quality for building occupants. Finally, the site is

located on multiple public transportation routes and accessible to

basic community services that encourage pedestrian interaction.

For more information, please contact Anthony Hayek

Summer Barker in the Youngstown office at 330.744.5321,

e-mail [email protected].


12/16

m s renovat esYoungst ow n o f f i ceRenovation and expansion createsmore efficient work environment

12

The downtown office building occupied by ms consultants recently underwent

a complete renovation that enabled the entire Youngstown staff to reunite in the

same building for the first time in years. Prior to the construction, 23 of theemployees worked next door on the second floor of the Ohio Edison Credit Bureau

building.

The office at 333 East Federal Street has been transformed inside and out.

Project manager Anthony Hayek, AIA, NCARB, says the firm wanted to

create a pleasant and high-end working environment for everyone. We had

outgrown the space and we wanted to consolidate all of our staff.

A 7,600-square-foot addition at the south side of the existing 20,000-square-

foot building allowed that consolidation to happen.

The building was originally constructed in 1986 and is the third Youngstown

location for the company since it was founded in 1963.


13/1613

ms consultants now has 10 offices located in five states, and is

ranked number 246 in the latest Top 500 Design Firms list annu-

ally compiled byEngineering News Record.

The renovation/addition was a design/build project with ms

consultants acting as the architect and B&B Contractors & Devel-

opers, Inc., as the general contractor.

The interior of the building was completely gutted, but the

construction was done in phases so the ms staff could continue

working all through the process. Because of the tight schedule, theplanning and managing of the different construction phases and

employee moves was critical to the success of the project.

The basement was renovated first, creating a staging area for

subsequent phases. The company set up about 80 portable tables

in the finished basement as a temporary workspace. As one section

of the building was completed, employees would shift spaces

allowing the next phase of construction to take place.

It was challenging to work through the construction going on

and the multiple moves some of the staff had to make, but we all

knew it would be worth it when it was done, says Hayek.The basement now houses the cafeteria, the IT department and

storage area where all of the northeast Ohio records are kept.

The technology aspect of the project was also important as the

IT staff had to dismantle and reassemble computer stations numer-

ous times to keep the office staff operational, and a videoconfer-

encing system was added.

A white noise system and soundproof walls were installed

throughout the building to reduce sound in the open office

environment.

Enhancing that open floor plan are energy efficient lighting,

carpeting and floor tile consistent with Leadership in Energy and

Environmental Design (LEED) standards.

Natural light is also utilized in all interior areas of the building,

which is welcome during the long northeast Ohio winters.

The entrance lobby is much roomier, with comfortable seating

for visitors and a flatscreen monitor mounted on the wall showing

a collection of projects completed by the firm.

Outside the lobby at the front entrance is the most noticeable

difference between the old and new building, a 400-square-foot,

custom-designed metal canopy that provides a strong visual

element that draws visitors to the front door. The bronze-colored

canopy complements the brick facade of the building, which

matches many of the other buildings in downtown Youngstown.

Summer Barker, AIA, LEED AP, project architect and

designer for ms, says the interior design will be contemporary for

years to come and notes that the space is already being used as a

showcase to present design ideas and qualities to clients.

For more information about this project or to set up an office

visit, please contact Anthony Hayek or Summer Barker at

330.744.5321, or send an e-mail to info@msconsultants.


14/16

Colum bus Com m ons an urban oasisThe downtown park opens on former City Center Mall sit

14

City Center Mall was a 1.2 million-square-foot, 3-levelshopping center in the heart of downtown Columbus, Ohio. It was

developed by the city as part of the Capital South development

and officially opened in August of 1989.

Less than 20 years later, newer suburban, mixed-use shopping

centers on the northwest, north and east sides of the city had

brought an end to City Center. The mall officially closed in March

of 2009, and demolition began later that year.

Corna-Kokosing and ms consultants worked together on the

complete demolition and reconstruction of the mall site. Corna-

Kokosing is the general contractor and ms consultants provided allof the mechanical, electrical, plumbing, fire protection and

security system design for the project.

The scope of work required the removal of the existing struc-

ture while maintaining full operations of the underground parking

facility, security operations, and healing of connections to

adjacent buildings. All major systems had to be assessed prior to

making design decisions. Numerous scenarios of phasing and

system configurations were evaluated before selecting a final

solution. The final demolition/reconfiguration documents

included documenting systems that were to be removed, systems

that were to remain in place temporarily and completely nesystems. The evaluation process also determined that securi

office systems and operations needed to be completely relocate

to a remote building, while maintaining full operations. All of th

demolition/reconfiguration was accomplished while maintainin

full operation of the parking facility, all of the mechanical an

electrical systems, and the security systems.

As part of the project, Corna-Kokosing created detaile

programs for recycling waste materials and reusing the maximu

amount of existing materials to bring a high level of environme

tal responsiveness to the project.In February 2009, plans were announced to redevelop the ma

site with a project that includes an urban park, homes, office

restaurants and shops. The first phase of the project cost a total

$20 million, and the park portion of the project opened to th

public on Memorial Day weekend 2011.

Corna-Kokosing and ms consultants are currently working o

the stage area for the park. This includes a covered canopy an

permanent stage attached to the rear of the Ohio Theater buildin

which sits at the north end of the park. Construction is schedule

to be complete during the first half of 2012.


15/16

New h i res and promot ions s t reng thenf i rm s pos i t ion in mu l t ip le m arke t s

Indiana, northeast Ohio and government clients to benefit

15

Jayson Thorne has joined ms in Indianapolis as the Director

of Indiana operations.

For the City of Indianapolis Long-Term Control Plan, he was

responsible for the day to day oversight and management of

projects and project staff which includes a

team of 30 engineers, technicians, and

clerical staff and up to 60 concurrently

active projects.

His program management experience

includes work for the City of Omaha,

Nebraska, Department of Public Works, and

City of Ft. Wayne, Indiana, Department of

Utilities.

His design experience includes the

preliminary design of highways and highway infrastructure,traffic analysis, and drainage design.

Jayson was the chairman for the 5 Cities Plus Conference in

2011, responsible for all coordination, planning and logistical

support of the conference and conference staff.

He is a graduate of Purdue University and is working toward

his Professional Engineers license.

In northeast Ohio, Bill Ruggles, PE, has been promoted to

Structures Technical Service Manager for the Youngstown office.

In this position he is responsible for

managing the day-to-day operations of the

structural engineering team. His responsi-

bilities include the initial planning of struc-ture projects, determining personnel and

budget requirements, and follow-through to

completion. He is responsible for the

technical accuracy of work and compliance

with governing design codes and regula-

tions.

Bill is a graduate of Youngstown State

University with a Master of Science, and started working for ms

consultants right out of school.

Also in Youngstown, architect David Kiraly, AIA, has

joined the staff as a senior project manager after running his own

design firm for a number of years.His design experience includes hospi-

tals and medical facilities, schools, restau-

rants, retail, hotels and hospitality, fitness

facilities, and industrial processing and

manufacturing plants.

In 2005, he served as the architect on

ABCs Extreme Home Makeover televi-

sion show for a residential renovation

project in Boardman, Ohio.

David is a graduate of Kent State University.

Louis Berroteran has joined the firm in Akron, Ohio, as

community and government affairs specialist.

He has a background in local, state and federal governmen

most recently as the Senior Director of the

Government Affairs/Workforce for the

Greater Akron Chamber of Commerce.

He coordinated the public/private

partnerships for the more than 2,000 mem-

bers of the chamber, which serves

businesses in Summit, Portage and Medina

counties in northeast Ohio.

Lou also served in the private sector as

the Director of Communications for a

professional consulting firm practicing in the fields of enginee

ing, landscape architecture and site development.He is a graduate of Kent State University, and has a Master

Public Administration from the University of Akron.

The year w as 1963

Did you know that ms consultants was founded in 196

That was the same year the Beatles released their first album an

the first James Bond film (Dr. No) opened in U.S. theaters.

To reach any of the ms staff mentioned in this issu

please contact the nearest office or send an e-mai

[email protected].

Akron, OH 330.258.9920

Columbus, OH 614.898.7100

Cleveland, OH 216.581.4035

Youngstown, OH 330.744.5321

Indianapolis, IN 317.566.0050

Pittsburgh, PA 412.264.8701

Harrisburg, PA 717.697.2373

Charleston, WV 304.346.1211

Raleigh, NC 919.772.5565

Roanoke Rapids, NC 252.519.2135

We can also be reached via our website at:

www.msconsultants.com

For more information about the website and socmedia connections, please see the story on the ba

page.


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new ms w ebs it e in teg ra tes net w ork ing media

ms consultants is pleased to announce the newly redesigcompany website (www.msconsultants.com) officially launc

on October 18.

The last time the site was completely revamped was in 20

but with the firm offering new services and many projects get

underway or completing construction in recent months,

companys online presence was in need of an update.

And with the proliferation of business and social media s

as LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter, those tools needed to

integrated into the site.

ms consultants can now be found at:

www.facebook.com/pages/Ms-consultants-inc/127446720690

www.twitter.com/ms_consultants

www.linkedin.com/company/ms-consultants-inc.

Columbus-based Cement Marketing guided the rede

process, with much input and assistance from ms staff.

For more information, please contact Monica Mosure or Ch

Campbell in the Columbus office at 614.898.7100, or e

[email protected].

ms consultants, inc.engineers, architect, planners

PRSRT STDU.S. POSTAGE

PAIDPERMIT NO. 225

YOUNGSTOWN, OH

ms NewsNotes Fall/Winter 2011

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