Civil Engineering Firms Are Key to Successful Road Construction

A city is like a dynamic organism, changing and shifting its shape constantly. That’s why in cities like New Orleans, there’s always something new to discover, from new restaurants, to new art installations and other novel attractions.

However, the infrastructure doesn’t always keep up with the ever-changing nature of the city. In fact, many of them stay the same over the years, falling behind the times—and often falling into disrepair. In particular, city streets are often the last to see upgrades, which can hinder transportation in an area as populations grow and more vehicles ply the roads.

Luckily, New Orleans is investing heavily in upgrading the roadways in select areas of the city as part of the Capital Improvement Program, a $2.4 billion initiative.
 

Improving neighborhoods

 
One of the beneficiaries of this program is South Galvez Street in Central City. In particular, the Hoffman Triangle artery will be fully reconstructed, leading to smoother flow of traffic in the area. As part of this project, South Galvez Street will see a replacement of sewer, drainage and water lines, as well as the installation of a new absorbent concrete pavement.

The layout of the road will also be modified: from two travel lanes, the renovated streets will now have one travel lane, one parking lane and one bike lane in each direction. According to estimates, the project is expected to finish by Spring 2018.
 

Getting the job done right

 
While the project has hefty financial backing behind it, financial resources is just one of the factors that dictate a successful construction project. For roadwork, civil engineering firms in New Orleans consider many factors before laying down any asphalt.

To begin with, proper planning must be done in order to determine crucial factors that will influence design, such as risk estimations, capacity calculations and possible expansions in the future. Then, the engineering firm must also consider materials, which vary depending on the desired performance of the street, and the budget allocated by the local government. Last but not the least, engineers must also pay close attention to safety guidelines such as traffic light placement, crossings, traffic circles and other road features.

Indeed, long research and planning methods are required before project commencement to ensure the safe and efficient construction of roads. For municipalities looking to improve their city streets, it’s important to contract experienced engineering firms to help plan and execute road improvement projects. With their expertise, you can expect revamped roads that are delivered on time—and within budget.
 

Sources:

 
New Orleans: Central City’s South Galvez Street construction, NOLA.com

Highway Construction & Engineering, BrightHubEngineering.com