When the TxDOT El Paso District needed an accelerated program to preserve aging bridges along the I-10 corridor, Ulteig was engaged to provide support and service to TxDOT by delivering a focused and practical solution that kept lanes moving and budgets intact. Working under a compressed four-month design schedule, Ulteig led condition assessments and delivered 100% plans, specifications and estimates for targeted repairs on high-priority structures while helping the district navigate environmental approvals, traffic control gaps and budget constraints.
Background
The El Paso District On-Off Bridge work authorization (WA) supported FY25 Bridge Maintenance across the county. The work authorization began with field assessments of 16 structures. After coordinating with the district to match repairs to available funding, Ulteig delivered plans, specifications and estimates (PS&E) for a prioritized group of 13 structures primarily along the I-10 corridor. The goal was to provide timely, condition-based maintenance to improve condition ratings, enabling bridges to transition from Fair/Satisfactory to Good through targeted repairs that extend service life and minimize future interventions.
Project goals
- Identify and design targeted repairs to improve bridge condition ratings
- Minimize traffic disruption along a major interstate corridor
- Deliver PS&E on an accelerated schedule while keeping construction estimates within funding limits
Ulteig’s role
- Served as the prime and project manager, leading development of repair plans, specifications and estimates
- Tracked budget, DBE goals and project progress against the compressed schedule
- Coordinated risk and change management with the district to avoid schedule disruption
- Provided condition assessments and engineering designs for concrete, asphalt and joint repairs, erosion countermeasures, multi-layer polymer overlay (MLPO) and polyester polymer concrete (PPC) overlays and load rating
- Managed field evaluation logistics with subconsultants GRV and Stantec, including lane and shoulder closures and hazardous materials reviews
- Conducted environmental reconnaissance for wetlands and sensitive species, determined permitting requirements, and incorporated relevant commitments into the plan set
- Executed a supplemental work authorization to provide traffic control services within two weeks to fill labor gaps for TxDOT, when needed
Project overview
The Districtwide FY 2025 Bridge Maintenance was for the repair of bridge elements to preserve structures. The median age of the 16 bridges was 54 years, predominantly across I-10, and included two direct connectors at the “spaghetti bowl”, at the intersection of I-10 and US54/IH 110. The I-10 corridor is a vital artery for El Paso’s commuters, freight movement, and emergency response.
When TxDOT was unable to provide traffic control for field assessments before the end of the fiscal year, Ulteig promptly executed a supplemental work authorization to provide traffic control services within two weeks, avoiding schedule delays. To provide condition-based maintenance for long-term condition improvements, Ulteig performed condition assessments and developed repair plans that targeted the specific defects currently lowering condition ratings, as well as those most likely to reduce ratings over time.
Delivering accelerated plans in four months was critical for construction funding to align with project letting. Ulteig collaborated with the District to prioritize the bridges in the final package, ensuring construction bids would remain within the limited funding. The team collaborated with the District to identify which repairs should take priority, such as overlays at critical locations, and where cost savings could be realized without sacrificing long-term performance. The team recommended a PPC overlay for the high-volume along I-10 because PPC reduces construction time compared with traditional overlays, a critical advantage since PPC can be prepared and placed in a single night and traffic can be returned to the original configuration, minimizing lane closures and preserving mobility for the traveling public Ulteig’s constructability reviews clarified contractor questions about PPC requirements and reassured the district that following specifications would yield the accelerated schedule benefit anticipated.
What we learned
Identify risks early, proactively communicate and work collaboratively as an extension of TxDOT staff with the entire team having one goal in mind: the long-term preservation of structures in the El Paso District, by improving conditions to increase the longevity of each structure.
The active management of project risks is crucial to keeping the project on track. Together with TxDOT, Ulteig regularly conducted risk reviews to identify and document threats and mitigate risks to the projects. Managed risks through acceptance, reduction, avoidance, or mitigation, including DBE goal management, scope creep and schedule impacts based on traffic control availability at the fiscal year end for condition assessments. One identified risk was a structure that had erosion issues adjacent to four downstream bridges, including railroad bridges. The risk was transferred to a different project package to avoid delays in repair and construction at other structures due to railroad right-of-entry permitting. Probability and impact ratings were assigned, and outcomes were built into the schedule.
Close collaboration and proactive communication helped keep the project on track and quickly overcome any hurdles, such as the traffic control availability for condition assessments. Client and consultant teams are facing staffing pressures and increased workloads for junior staff, making the deliberate sharing of lessons learned and working on closed-loop communication even more critical as we collaborate to maintain and improve public infrastructure.
Technical challenges are secondary to the coordination, communication, and leadership required to align diverse teams and manage evolving project demands under tight timelines and limited resources.
Key deliverables and outcomes
- Delivered 100% PS&E for 13 prioritized structures within a four-month schedule, meeting the scheduled letting date
- Supported the district’s first implementation of PPC overlay, reducing expected construction time on the critical interstate corridor
- Provided traffic control services under a supplemental work authorization within two weeks to maintain the accelerated schedule
- Performed designs for concrete, asphalt and joint repairs, erosion countermeasures, MLPO and PPC overlay details and load rating updates for new overlay condition
- Helped the district prioritize work to keep construction bids within funding by recommending deferments and targeted overlay limits
- Delivered project under budget and on time with the compressed schedule
Acknowledgements
Ulteig thanks the TxDOT El Paso District for their partnership and our subconsultants, GRV and Stantec, for their field support and review work. The team also recognizes the district and contractor teams who helped ensure safety, mobility and constructability were balanced throughout the project.
To learn how Ulteig can support bridge preservation and accelerated delivery, contact our bridge team today.
