Change and Adaptability at Rumbling Bald Resort

For A&O to put our clients first, form lasting relationships, build trust between our team and our clients, and be stewards of our environment, we must be able to adapt quickly to changing needs or sudden emergencies. Sometimes, a project will suddenly shift due to unexpected snags or uncontrollable factors such as severe weather. One of the more recent tests of A&O’s ability to adapt to new challenges was during our work with the Rumbling Bald Resort, near Lake Lure in North Carolina.

Rumbling Bald Resort is a mountain community that has served full-time residents and vacationers since the 1950s. In 2018, A&O performed routine NBIS inspections on the Gateway Dr. and Quail Ridge Blvd. Bridges. Although they were deemed structurally obsolete, they provided two important entrances to the community. Replacements were necessary; however, it was impossible to demolish and replace the structures during the off-season due to the presence of full-time residents. Since Gateway Dr. Bridge was in better condition, it would provide a detour during the replacement of the Quail Ridge Blvd. Bridge. After the Quail Ridge Blvd. Bridge was replaced, the new bridge would act as a detour while the team replaced the Gateway Dr. Bridge. At least, this was the original plan.

The gateway dr bridge after the storm

Unfortunately, this plan changed on Sept 30, 2018. Right before the project was bid to a contractor, the region was hit by a severe storm that scoured the Gateway Dr. Bridge. The soil around the bridge eroded, causing it to collapse completely, and rendering it unusable. The A&O Team was forced to change course. Now, the Quail Ridge Blvd. Bridge would serve as a detour while the Gateway Dr. Bridge was being replaced.

Gateway dr bridge under construction

The team had just completed a replacement design for the intact Quail Ridge Blvd. Bridge, but now A&O had to scramble to draft emergency repairs for the Gateway Dr. Bridge. To ensure that the repairs could be completed quickly, the team expedited the process, crafted the new design, and amended the original contract in only 30 days, which allowed the contractor to begin replacement work far sooner than expected.

However, our flexibility was again tested during construction administration. During the construction process, the contractor experienced several changes of ownership. This resulted in four project managers over the course of the project. Because of this, A&O staff took careful notes about the progress of the bridge replacements to help new project managers get up to speed on developments.

The replaced gateway dr bridge

During the construction phase, the Quail Ridge Blvd. Bridge served as a detour, allowing residents and vacationers access to the resort. As such, weddings and other events proceeded as planned with only a minor inconvenience. Once the Gateway Dr. Bridge was completed, the A&O team was able to move on with its original replacement plan.

The end result was two new bridges that were completed quickly with residents and vacationers with only minor and temporary inconveniences. Alpha & Omega Group adapted quickly to the sudden changes of plans, contractors, and emergency bridge repairs. We hope to continue to meet new challenges like this, even when they come unexpectedly.

If you’re curious to learn more details about our work on Rumbling Bald Resort, please visit our project and construction administration pages!