Horseshoe Project

A Fluor-led joint venture, Pegasus Link Constructors LLC (PLC), received the last Notice to Proceed by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for the build phase of the design-build contract for the Horseshoe Project in Dallas in August of 2013. PLC, while self-performing 60 percent of the construction work has also subcontracted with additional specialty consultants responsible for design, independent quality assurance and environmental compliance geotechnical engineering as well as local and DBE subcontractors and material providers for construction scope not performed by the venture. An optional 15-year Capital Maintenance Agreement would be performed by PLC if TxDOT elects to issue this scope after Final Acceptance of the Project.

Client's Challenge

The Horseshoe Project's scope of work includes I-30 from Sylvan Avenue to east of I-35E and I-35E from north of Eighth Street to north of the I-30/I-35E interchange in Dallas as well as construction of a fully designed Santiago Calatrava signature bridge. When completed, the project will correct some of the existing geometric issues causing congestion, repair and replace some of the deteriorating structures, and add capacity to the interchange and frontage roads.

The I-30 and I-35E corridor carries more than 460,000 vehicles per weekday and portions were rated ninth and 17th on TxDOT's 2012 most congested roadways report.

TxDOT is utilizing design-build project delivery, which will result in a shorter construction schedule and lower overall cost. Construction on the Horseshoe Project began in the summer of 2013, with a projected completion date of 2017.

IH30 Bridge Direct Connectors with view of MMD Arches

Fluor's Solution

The scope of work for Pegasus Link Constructors is to replace the I-30 & I-35E bridges crossing the Trinity River, to upgrade the outdated geometry of the major interchange, and construct additional lanes to add capacity

The Fluor-led partnership erected the first haunch girder on the Interstate 35 crossing of the Trinity River in the summer of 2013 as part of the Horseshoe project. The beam is one component of the 1,000-foot spliced-girder unit across the river.

There are a total of six bridges of this type that will have the same span length. Beam installation was self-performed using two cranes owned by Fluor and provided to PLC. Fluor is also providing a third large lattice boom crane to the project.

The design-build project will require the erection of 3,390 girders in the expansion and the addition of several new bridges and roadways along I-30 and I-35E, including a new signature bridge, the Margaret McDermott Bridge, over I-30.

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Horseshoe Project - Highway construction site workers

Conclusion

PLC will carry out the project to improve mobility along I-30 and I-35E roadways near downtown Dallas. Drivers will realize enhanced safety with the improved traffic flow, and pedestrians and cyclists can use facilities designed for them along the I-30 eastbound and westbound frontage roads. Construction on the Horseshoe Project began in the summer of 2013 with a projected completion date of 2017.

In 2015, the construction project achieved 1 million hours without a recordable incident, earning a Fluor ZERO Incidents^SM Five-Star Status Award.