I-35W Bridge Design-Build Oversight

The collapse of the I-35W Bridge over the Mississippi River closed a vital transportation artery in the Twin Cities metro area, prompting the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) to launch an aggressive plan to rebuild the bridge. The project aimed to reopen this critical connection by the end of 2008. SRF, in partnership with Parsons Transportation Group, was selected by MnDOT to provide contract administration, design review services, construction inspection, and materials compliance throughout the project.

SRF assembled a multidisciplinary team to deliver:

• Comprehensive design review services to ensure all project phases met the criteria of the RFP and MnDOT standards.
• Construction inspection, quality assurance, and materials verification to maintain high standards of safety and reliability.
• Claim management and technical support to address emerging challenges during construction.

Due to the 24/7 construction schedule of the design-build contractor, SRF demonstrated flexibility, rapidly adjusting to staff needs and deploying over 30 qualified personnel during peak construction. Regular coordination meetings with MnDOT and design-build contractor teams enabled SRF to provide solutions to design and construction challenges efficiently. This collaborative approach ensured the project progressed smoothly, despite its ambitious timeline.

The I-35W Bridge reopened to traffic in less than one year from the contractor’s selection, exemplifying the success of design-build oversight and SRF’s commitment to delivering infrastructure solutions under tight deadlines.

Resource links:
Minnesota Department of Transportation – MnDOT
Federal Highway Administration

More from:
Fargo, ND
Minneapolis, MN