QBS’s professionals prepared and completed bid documents on six construction contracts associated with the relocation of Interchange No. 7.  The old four-lane exit did not have enough lanes or sufficient length in its ramps to prevent queued traffic from backing up into both the Turnpike mainline and Route 206 traffic.  The project consisted of 13 separate contracts and involved building a new interchange to replace the existing Exit 7.  This work included preparation of right-of-way plans, demolition contracts, utility coordination, property survey, as well as plans specifications and estimates for all grading, paving, drainage, and structure contracts.

QBS’s professionals were responsible for a portion of the final and post design of this new barrier toll plaza and interchange.  This work included coordination with the prime design consultant, roadway design, grading, paving, drainage, demolition of the existing plaza, interchange and highway lighting system design, as well as electrical power system design.  Responsibilities also included toll plaza lighting and power distribution; radio intercom communication system design; toll plaza electrical and mechanical systems; utility building electrical, mechanical, security, and communication systems; utility building construction; signing and striping; maintenance and protection of traffic; coordination with the New Jersey Department of Community Affairs; environmental permitting support; and post design (construction) services.

QBS’s professionals provided the fast-track design of two sections of the Mid-County Expressway from Baltimore Pike to West Chester Pike.  This environmentally and politically sensitive project included a community involvement program involving various township and neighborhood groups.  Some of the engineering challenges faced on this project were the design of a three-level mezzanine type interchange, extensive noise abatement walls and numerous wetlands.  Responsibilities included complete plans, specifications, and estimates for structures, right-of-way plans, traffic control plans, pavement marking plans, interchange lighting, soil erosion and sedimentation, traffic signalization, and signing.

QBS was responsible for the preliminary and final design of the replacement of this major PTC structure.  This project consists of the replacement of the three-span continuous deck plate girder structure across SR 4018 and Little Trout Run on the Pennsylvania Turnpike Northeast Extension.  The existing roadway section consists of two 12-foot lanes in each direction with a four-foot median and 10-foot nominal outside shoulders.  The existing pavement section has a four-inch overlay on top of the existing 10-inch reinforced concrete pavement.  The roadway median contains a concrete glare screen which transitions to a Type 2S-C guide rail barrier on the existing structure.  The proposed structure section consists of three 12-foot travel lanes with a 12-foot left shoulder and a 12-foot minimum right shoulder in each direction.  The proposed roadway section will be widened and transition from the existing roadway section to match the proposed structure section.  The existing bridge is being replaced in stages that generally allow four 12-foot lanes of traffic to be open at all times.

QBS provided the engineering services required to do a complete Quality Assurance/Quality Control check of this enclosed air-conditioned pedestrian bridge with “people movers” conveyor belt that is part of the Waterfront Development Project, Phase V in Kuwait.  QBS performed a thorough check of the final structural drawings for the bridge as well as a complete check of all structural calculations that were required to produce the design drawings.  This included checking hand computations, computer input and output, and cross-referencing the design drawings with the computations.

This project consists of the engineering work associated with reconstruction and widening of four Pennsylvania Turnpike bridges and a culvert.  The bridges are to be widened to provide an additional lane in each direction, a 26-foot median, and 12-foot outside shoulders, which requires widening approximately 29 feet on each side.  This work will require construction of new, widened abutments behind the existing abutments at each bridge and construction of new wider piers at three of the bridges.  Additionally, the staging scheme must generally permit two lanes of traffic in each direction throughout the day.  Three of the proposed bridges are three-span steel multi-stringer structures with stub abutments and multi-column bent type piers while the fourth is a single span steel multi-stringer structure with full-height abutments.

QBS provided complete design services for a single-span prestressed concrete I-beam bridge that carries a realigned Turnpike mainline over a local road.  The bridge is 114’-5” long and provides room for up to three lanes in each direction.  The bridge is a portion of an eight-mile total reconstruction and widening of the Turnpike in Allegheny County.  QBS was also responsible for producing plans, specifications, and cost estimates for a 24’ mainline culvert extension that is required to widen the Turnpike.

QBS provided hands-on, in-depth bridge inspection services for this major Delaware River crossing spanning between Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  Scope of work involved providing a full inspection team responsible for complete independent inspection of approach structures including Fracture Critical Member and Fatigue Sensitive Details.  Engineers prepared inspection reports with repair recommendations for the portion inspected and coordinated with traffic control and safety inspection equipment suppliers.

QBS provided the design services needed to add acceleration and deceleration lanes to the existing dual four-span steel plate girder bridges.  QBS provided a complete in-depth inspection of the existing bridges and ratings of the portions of the existing superstructures and substructures to remain.  QBS designed the superstructure and substructure for the widened portions of the bridge, retrofits to the existing structure, and a staged redecking of the bridge.

was responsible for the development of final signing, pavement marking and delineation plans for Section 51B of the Mon/Fayette Expressway - Uniontown to Brownsville project for the Pennsylvania Turnpike.  QBS integrated provisions for installation and demarcation of fiber optic facilities on the project.  Using the general information supplied by the preliminary design, QBS developed all major destination signs for the design section. The signs were developed using the GUIDESIGN design software.  QBS also prepared detailed signing, pavement marking and delineation plans in accordance with the latest MUTCD and PennDOT criteria.

QBS provided complete engineering design services for the replacement of the 105-foot long, three-span concrete bridge in Modena Borough.  This replacement project includes identifying possible structure types, correcting roadway alignment and sight distance issues, hydrologic and hydraulic report preparation, utility coordination, and environmental as well as geotechnical considerations.  Due to the Modena Fire Department’s close proximity to the bridge as well as their need to use the bridge for emergencies coupled with potentially lengthy detour routes, staged construction of the bridge was used to allow one open lane of traffic at all times.  Phased, temporary traffic signals will be used to control traffic.

QBS provided structural design services on this 74-foot long pedestrian bridge and accompanying retaining walls.  The bridge was developed using a context-sensitive approach to create a structure that fits into the proposed commercial redevelopment of the area.  The bridge spans a widened and lowered SR 0063 (Sumneytown Pike).  Architectural treatments and landscaping were incorporated into the bridge design.  The highlight of the bridge is a reinforced concrete fascia beam/parapet panel with its associated art-deco motif.

QBS was responsible for replacing the existing 17-foot long bridge on a busy local road in a mixed commercial and residential area.  The existing bridge was severely damaged by scour caused by the alignment of the stream.  The project includes retaining wall construction to alleviate the stream bank erosion and construction of a new bridge in stages to allow for one open lane at all times.  Traffic control through the work zone will be provided with temporary traffic signals. The project also includes environmental permitting, hydrologic and hydraulic report preparation, and minor approach roadway improvements.

QBS’ professionals designed five bridges for this major airport construction project.  These structures included a 130-foot curved girder bridge, a 1,970-foot, 44-span steel viaduct, a 1,600-foot serpentine retaining wall, and several reinforced concrete retaining walls.

QBS’ professionals performed preliminary and final engineering for two major bridge structures on the Pennsylvania Turnpike.  This rehabilitation program consisted of the following major inspection and design elements: field inspection of existing bridge structures, substructure exploration and foundation recommendations, preliminary bridge plans including substructure extensions, superstructure deck replacement and widening, staged construction for Pennsylvania Turnpike Mainline traffic during reconstruction, final bridge plans, hydraulics and hydrology study, and final construction bid documents (plans, specifications, and cost estimates).  Special attention was given to design and construction solutions that promoted the successful maintenance and protection of the heavy volume of turnpike traffic using the bridge.

QBS’ professionals performed design services for the three major spans of this 21-span, post-tensioned concrete dual box bridge on the Madinah Second Ring Road in Madinah, Saudi Arabia.  Assignments included reviewing the superstructure design for the three major spans, analyzing the post-tensioned structures short-term and long-term behavior considering all the required secondary effects, designing the foundation system for the three major spans, and providing a seismic analysis for the entire viaduct.  All design work and analysis was performed in accordance with AASHTO specifications as well as local Ministry of Communication codes in Saudi Arabia.

QBS provided inspection and design rehabilitation services for deck repairs on 20 New Jersey Turnpike bridges.  Hands-on visual field inspections were performed to determine the condition of deck elements.  Field inspections included the identification, location and documentation of deficiencies and the repair requirements.  QBS prioritized the repairs and made recommendations identifying the type of repair, repair severity, location and cost.  QBS also developed area drawings and deck repair drawings for select Turnpike bridges.

QBS’s professionals performed preliminary and final design services for the Jiye-Zahrani section of the Autoroute du Sud.  The project consisted of highway, bridge, and interchange design along this 15-kilometer section.  QBS professionals designed two major bridge structures spanning the Jadra and Zahrani Rivers as well as six smaller structures, overpasses, and single span bridges.  The bridge spanning the Jadra River is a 195-meter dual structure carrying three lanes of traffic in each direction.  The superstructure is made of reinforced concrete T-deck elements and the substructures are made of reinforced concrete hammer head piers supported on rock foundation.  This substructure is located near a major seismic fault area and required a thorough seismic analysis to be performed and appropriate seismic provisions were incorporated into the design.

QBS provided in-depth bridge inspection services for the Betsy Ross Bridge spanning between Pennsylvania and New Jersey.  This landmark Delaware River crossing is composed of multi-girder and deck truss approach spans with a three-span continuous through truss main bridge.  A hands-on fracture critical inspection of the superstructure was conducted as was a cursory inspection of the substructure.  QBS was responsible for equipment rental, project scheduling, site safety, and the day-to-day operations of four inspection crews.  QBS also coordinated the preparation of an in-depth inspection report that included repair and maintenance recommendations, cost estimates, and a complete photographic record.