WRA’s multi-disciplinary team has provided design services varying from large complex structure replacements and intersection/roundabout improvements to straightforward curb ramp replacements. Covering all twelve Pennsylvania Department of Transportation Engineering Districts, and highways operated by the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission, we have designed over 80 structures, including Steel Beams, P/S Concrete Beams, and Culverts, both single and multiple spans. 

As a result of comprehensive alternatives analysis, WRA selected an innovative interchange design. The primary goal of the project was to improve safety, mostly due to left-turns within the corridor. Additionally, WRA set goals to maintain or improve traffic operations and multi-modal accommodations. This interchange design eliminates the need for left-turning vehicles to cross the paths of approaching through vehicles by shifting cross street traffic to the left side of the street between the signalized crossover intersections.

WRA is a key team member leading the P3 program’s technical engineering and support services. Services include concept development, multi-discipline engineering and constructability studies, risk assessment and mitigation activities, utility engineering and coordination, scheduling, cost estimating, technical requirement development, and technical support for the program’s NEPA study.

Along with the grade-separated interchange, a new service road was provided to maintain access to residential and commercial properties.  In addition to the roadway improvements, WRA’s design included new bridge structures, retaining walls, and noise barriers; new pavement and pavement rehabilitation; reforestation; closed/open drainage systems; bicycle and pedestrian facilities; stormwater management quality and quantity facilities, erosion and sediment control; stream stabilization and relocation; signing, pavement markings, lighting and signalization; mainten

WRA developed the project goals, evaluation criteria, performance metrics, and procurement documents. We were responsible for the independent review of all traffic elements including traffic control devices, ITS elements and maintenance of traffic of each of the 17-individual design packages to ensure the design-build team’s plans complied with the RFP documents.   WRA also prepared independent detailed cost estimates.

As part of the design-build team, WRA developed an approach and conceptual design that met or exceeded the technical requirements set forth in the RFP and implemented several design improvements resulting in value-added benefits to the project.  Some of these design improvements included minimizing impacts to the traveling public by condensing the project limits; avoiding utility impacts by eliminating lowering US Route 11; and simplifying constructability by eliminating drainage features.

Covering 24 blocks of the downtown area, WRA provided the design for the replacement of water and sanitary sewer lines, drainage improvements, pedestrian accessibility, conversion to two-way traffic, transit upgrades, streetscape improvements, updated signing, and traffic calming features.

The main goal of the TSMO project is to reduce recurring and non-recurring congestion along approximately twenty miles of I-695, from I-70 to MD 43, which includes six of the top fifteen most congested roadway segments in Maryland.  WRA was responsible for the preparation of the NEPA Categorical Exclusion and associated technical reports; wetland delineations; noise analyses; concepts to utilize the inside shoulder as a peak period general purpose lane; preparation of the procurement documents and evaluation of technical submittals; and assistan

The Triple Bridges project will address the structural needs at the interchange, improve safety, reduce congestion, reduce future interchange maintenance, and retain all existing access improvements.  WRA is preparing the NEPA document and associated technical reports, wetland delineations, and noise impact analysis and barrier design; reviewing conceptual alternatives prepared by others and developing new alternative designs; performing highway, water resources, structural, traffic, geotechnical, and utility engineering services; and preparing

Selection for this contract was based upon a fixed price with a variable scope. WRA, as part of the design-build team, was selected based on a proposal that included the maximum possible continuous 4-lane dualized roadway miles to address the more than 75% increase in ADT projected by 2040.  The design-build team also proposed additional improvements at the I-70/MD 32 interchange to improve traffic operations and safety while being designed to accommodate future planned improvements.