Beginning in 2010, Alpha & Omega Group provided hydraulic and structural engineering design to replace a low-water ford bridge over Thorps Creek, in the Mortimer Campground of the Pisgah National Forest. The old ford bridge presented a flooding hazard in heavy rains and also blocked the passage of fish.

Unfortunately, the project was shelved until 2019, when the non-profit conservation organization, Trout Unlimited, prioritized its completion as part of the 50th anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act. This effort was aimed at improving wildlife habitat and making it safer for visitors to view nature. In partnership with the U.S. Forest Service, Trout Unlimited provided critical fundraising support and oversight of the project, and using A&O’s original design plans, chose TAG Contracting to construct the bridge. A&O worked with Trout Unlimited and the US Forest Service to provide construction administration for the project.

Our scope of services for the construction administration included reviewing construction documents, shop drawings, material submittals, and requests for information. We attended the pre-bid conference. Once construction was underway, A&O provided construction observation and weekly progress meetings and reports. We attended the pre-construction conference, substantial completion inspection, and final completion inspection. The engineer of record performed a pre-final inspection. We provided a certificate of completion and developed as-built record drawings, based on redline mark-ups from the contractor, in PDF and AutoCad format.

During construction, the contractor encountered unsuitable base material in the subgrade on the north end of the project. A&O consulted a geotechnical engineer for testing, which resulted in change orders being necessary to complete the project. The new bridge was opened to the public in the spring of 2021. Ω

Overview
 Client:
 US Forest Service
Location:

     Collettsville, NC
Subconsultants: 

     F&R – Construction materials testing
     
Contact:
 
   Andy Brown

   Coldwater Conservation Manager

   Trout Unlimited

   828-674-1067
Construction Cost: 

   $341,163
Start/completetion: 
 
     6/2020 – 4/2021
Project manager: 
Glenn Zeblo, PE
Construction manager:
 Forrest Robbins
 
  Experience
  Construction observation
Construction inspection
Document review and submittal