Design-Build Project
In 1919, Neal Garver's private firm began building a reputation of solid, cost-effective designs and unmatched customer service. Applied for the last 95 years, those precepts have furthered Garver's reputation and led to the company's growth into new markets.
The Missouri Department of Transportation recently selected the American Bridge/Garver Team to perform a design-build project to replace two deficient bridges connecting Riverside, Missouri with Fairfax, Kansas. This $72 million design-build project marks Garver's first major transportation project in the area, though Garver has done aviation work at nearby airports.
"By going with the Garver Team instead of the next lowest bidder, MoDOT will save $4 million," said Senior Project Manager Blake Blakemore. "And the long-term economic benefits are significant as the bridge will accommodate traffic from the nearby industrial district to access the interstate."
Garver designed the roadway, the bridge superstructure including the 420-foot navigation span, river piers, and integrated subcontractors into the design team to meet the design demands on a fast-paced timeline. Because the project bridges two states, there was an unusually high number of permits and approvals to obtain—two states, two levee districts, and the Army Corps of Engineers. The project is currently underway with construction scheduled to be complete on the new bridge by the end of 2016.
"We were up against some large design firms for this project, but I think American Bridge recognized the value Garver brings to the table," said Blakemore. "This is our first chance to work for MoDOT on a major project, and we have two offices in this area because we want to build more than a bridge—we want to build a relationship."
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