Why Choose Taylor & Murphy?

Taylor & Murphy is a well respected general contracting firm that's been building roads and bridges for more than 50 years. Based in Asheville, they employ some 300 people, and are licensed with an unclassified and unlimited capacity in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, Tennessee, and Virginia. Visit www.taylorandmurphy.com to find out more.

Advantages of Using a Design Build Approach

Completing this project requires some traffic interruptions, but one reason T&M was selected is due to their innovative approach to this issue. The NCDOT used the Design-Build approach to complete this project. This method allows the contractor to hire an engineering firm to design the project that allows construction to proceed before final plans are complete. Doing this saves considerable time and money, by allowing the contractor and the engineer to develop an optimum plan from the start. The time savings alone on this project is more than two years.

In fact, this project will be completed in about three years, by fall 2008.
There is a huge incentive to make this so; NCDOT fines for non-completion by the due date are prohibitive; daily rates can reach $10,000 with additional hourly penalties of up to $10,000 per hour if lanes are closed during high traffic times. There are about 15 NCDOT Design-Build Projects underway throughout the state.

Incorporating an Electronic Warning System for Drivers

This project includes the installation and early implementation of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) using cameras, overhead dynamic message signs and vehicle detection devices placed throughout the project approach routes. These ITS devices are used as an early warning system to motorists traveling through the area. These early warnings may include information concerning any current hazards, and information for alternative routes. They also provide the public with general information about the construction of this project with respect to construction slow downs, upcoming traffic shifts, current lane closures and future lane use information.

Minimizing Traffic Interruptions

Most work on the roads and bridges is done between 8 p.m. and 6:30 a.m. to minimize traffic disturbances. In accordance with Buncombe County requirements, T&M assures that two lanes in each direction and all ramps are open on I-40 from 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday through Sunday. On US 19/23, two lanes in each direction and all ramps are open from 6:30 a.m.-8 p.m. Monday through Friday. All lanes and ramps remain open for holidays. Fines for not following these requirements can reach $10,000 per hour!

Throughout the entire construction process to date, T&M has kept these lanes open according to the requirements, no small feat! They accomplish this by working during the day only when they are completely out of traffic. If they must work with traffic, they do so only at night.

Honoring Environmental Concerns

Environmental needs play an important role in this construction project, and T&M is sensitive to those concerns. They are recycling guard rails, top soils, clearing debris, crushed concrete, overhead sign structures and other materials.

T&M team member Mulkey Engineers will dedicate an erosion control inspector to assure full adherence to the erosion control plan. An aesthetically pleasing sound barrier wall will also be built beginning in January 2008 to minimize noise along the east bound lane of I-40.

One innovative approach created by T&M will reduce the environmental sensitive areas impact on streams by 50%, and reduce the impact of the small wetland area involved by 82%, allowing the NCDOT to accrue credits in the Ecosystem Enhancement Program.

Examples of Recycling

As you would expect, there's a lot of debris and materials used in building roads and bridges. T&M has already made use of much of it, and is stockpiling other materials for future reuse. The clearing debris is now mulch. The existing bridge concrete was crushed and used for fills, and the reinforcing steel was sold as scrap and recycled into new reinforcing steel.

Topsoil is stockpiled, waiting to be spread on the slopes for grass seed. Guardrail is also stockpiled to be reused on the project. Existing structural steel will be salvaged and used for private bridges in the area. Asphalt millings that are ground up from the old lanes are recycled into the new asphalt.