Benesch provided roadway design and full-time construction engineering and inspection services for the two phases of the project. Phase I, located in the Towns of Preston and Ledyard, involved roadway widening of a one-mile stretch of Route 164 to an employee parking lot for the Mashantucket Pequot Tribal Nation (MPTN) Foxwoods Resort Casino. The construction of Phase I provided an additional travel lane in each direction while avoiding all direct wetland impacts.
Phase II, located in the Towns of Ledyard and North Stonington, involved major roadway construction from MPTN parking lot to approximately 2,900 feet east of CT Route 214—including approximately 850 feet of Route 214—for a total length of approximately 1.5 miles. Phase II construction created a new roadway, which runs parallel to the existing Route 2. The new roadway serves as a bypass for through traffic wishing to avoid the three Foxwoods’ entrance traffic signals and Route 214. Interchanges were created at the existing West Drive and Route 214 to provide resort patrons access to Route 2, which is being maintained as a frontage road to access Foxwoods. The new West Drive interchange consists of three legs of a diamond-type interchange while roadway loops were incorporated into the interchange ramps at Route 214 on the south.
A strong, collaborative private-public partnership, combined with fast track design, permitting, and construction, enabled completion of this project in a 27-month period. Achievements and creativity were realized throughout the project timeline. Notable examples were:
- Utilization of an expedited and multi-tiered approach to the design and permitting process in a compressed timeframe
- Rapid Building Techniques for construction with use of pre-cast structures and modular precast retaining walls, close to 30 feet in height
- Construction of a curved steel girder structure over Route 2
- Rock cuts of 40 feet in height and a volume of 190,000 cubic yards completed and sequenced to keep the Project on the tight construction schedule
- 160,000 cubic yards of earth moving operations
- Use of form liners and artistic design on key visible abutment walls and structures
- Integrated communications and collaboration between MPTN, Benesch, and Cardi as a forerunner of an Integrated Project Delivery System