INNOVATIVE STORMWATER MANAGEMENT SOLUTION ON I-595 HONORED AMONG SOUTHEAST’S TOP PROJECTS IN 2010

FT. LAUDERDALE, FLA. – Jan. 14, 2011 – An innovative shared-use drainage projectdeveloped by RS&H and FDOT to manage stormwater for the I-595 corridor improvementscurrently under construction in Broward County has been listed among the best projects of2010 by Southeast Construction magazine. The project received an Award of Excellence inCivil/Public Works for its partnership with three golf courses whose ponds and other drainagefacilities were used to treat and attenuate stormwater runoff from the corridor. The project isestimated to have saved millions in right-of-way acquisition costs and presents a viable stormwater management solution for implementing highway capacity improvements in other highlyurbanized across the nation.

According to RS&H Drainage Project Manager Chris Jackson, the team was able to expandponds within the Arrowhead, Lago Mar and Pine Island Ridge golf courses without impactingthe level of play to accommodate most of the 180 acre-feet of wet detention water qualitytreatment volume required for the I-595 improvements. This avoided the need for eminentdomain of developed property for typical storm water ponds, ultimately minimizing impacts tonearby residents and businesses. During construction, the team also made improvements tothe golf course fairways, greens, bunkers, tees, irrigation and landscape, leading to betterrecreational facilities for residents and users.

“This ‘soft’ engineering solution balanced the area’s transportation needs with the surroundingenvironment and community,” said Jackson. “It was instrumental in implementing the muchneeded capacity improvements, especially in the highly urbanized area of Broward Countywhere opportunities for acquiring undeveloped property were very limited.”

The innovative drainage project is linked to the ongoing $1.2 billion reconstruction of I-595 inBroward County, which is being constructed as a Public-Private-Partnership under a 35-yearconcession agreement, which includes the addition of three at-grade reversible tolled expresslanes, 29 new bridges and the widening/modification of 35 existing bridges, as well as thereconstruction of the mainline and all associated improvements to frontage roads and rampsfor 10.5 miles on I-595 and 2.5 miles on Florida’s Turnpike.

RS&H has provided technical expertise and project management as the owner’srepresentative on the project, including procurement support, preliminary design, designreviews and final design of the Arrowhead Golf Course improvements.

Southeast Construction’s annual award competition judges projects on their innovation,complexity, and contribution to the community. This year’s competition received more than180 project entries in 22 different categories across all four states. For more information on themagazine’s Best of 2010 awards, visit http://southeast.construction.com.