Introduction:

Peter Scalamandre & Sons, Inc. was awarded construction of the FIRST Welcome Center on Long Island. The Long Island Welcome Center was awarded on a “Best Value” contract with NYSDOT. This contract, D263143, for new construction of a 16,000sf Welcome Center, included civil construction and development of the existing service road, recharge basin and exit ramps. In addition, a new force main was constructed that connects the facility to the Suffolk County Public Sewer system. This required a new 2½-mile run of a sewer force main on active roadways. The Long Island Welcome Center now offers visitors and tourists of Long Island a “Taste of NY” food concession featuring foods from the NY region. A new coffee lounge, electrical car charging stations, and restrooms for public use are now available to Long Island Residents.

Project Complexity:

As the General Contractor, Peter Scalamandre & Sons, Inc. (PSSI) was solely responsible for all aspects of project management, coordination, and scheduling. This complex project involved a stringent completion date and direct input from Governor Andrew Cuomo. The challenge of the project’s overall 5-month completion schedule was evident during the bidding phase. While under construction the Governor Andrew Cuomo made a number of interior and exterior architectural enhancements. PSSI worked diligently to provide and complete those enhancements in a timely manner with exceptional high-end finishes. One month prior to the scheduled completion date, a 2½-mile force main work was added to the project scope. This essentially was a separate project, yet PSSI was still able to meet the completion date. This required extensive coordination, expedited procurement, updated scheduling and cooperation between PSSI and its sub-contractors, designers, and local agencies.

Contractor Innovation in Construction Techniques or Material

To meet the stringent completion date, innovations of construction equipment and techniques were incorporated. With a great deal of site excavation and grading, Trimble GPS and Machine control systems were utilized. Trimble Business Center allowed existing and proposed site grades to be uploaded to the Trimble GPS system, that determined the amount of excavation and grading to be performed. Our process of using a single surveyor, communicating directly to all the machine operators, increased site excavation efficiency and productivity.

By prefabricating the shear walls and roof trusses, off-site key milestones were met. As the concrete foundation for the building began, during the excavation, the building shear walls and roof trusses were assembled in a controlled facility. With careful planning and coordination between PSSI and the fabricator, new sections of walls and trusses were being completed as they were delivered and installed. Utilizing this technique allowed the completion of the building erection to be performed within a week rather than several weeks.

As the building erection neared completion, the installation of the MEP system began utilizing the BIM process to avoid any pipe and duct work “clashes.” Working as a unit with all of the MEP subs, a 3D-model of the building was created that allowed the construction team to fully analyze the layout of the building’s MEP systems. With complete 3D-viewing of the MEP system, the construction team addressed and resolved issues before commencement of those MEP items. Implementing the BIM process avoided any rework and ultimately saved time.