Construction Observation

G&D specializes in providing construction observation services on public works projects. G&D has successfully completed projects for a variety of clients including local municipalities, Universities, industrial facilities and other consulting firms.

The scope of work usually involves providing a full or part-time resident construction inspector for the duration of the project, acting as an extension of the Engineer's staff. The responsibilities of the RCI often include the following:

  1. Keeping track of quantities of work performed, reviewing and processing pay requests
  2. Observing the quality of the work to determine compliance with project specifications
  3. Monitoring the overall progress of the project for compliance with the work schedule
  4. Verifying compliance with sedimentation and erosion control permits
  5. Tracking subcontractors used on the project to ensure compliance with the project's small/minority enterprise requirements as required
  6. Interacting with local business operations and residents to address complaints and other questions and concerns
  7. Maintaining ongoing communications with appropriate DOT staff so that work does not conflict with right of way use permits and local ordinances

G&D has developed a solid reputation working with all parties involved in construction projects for delivering quality work. In addition to working directly for municipal and/or institutional clients, G&D often provides a Resident Construction inspector (RCI) on projects performed as a subconsultant to other consulting firms.

Bradley Creek Sewer Rehabilitation

G&D served as third party quality control inspector for New Hanover County's Bradley Creek Sewer Rehabilitation. The project involved lining of 4,200' of 24" sewer utilizing cured in place pipe (CIPP) and the rehabilitation of 59 manholes with Zebron coating.

Our primary responsibility consisted of observing all by-pass pumping operations, sewer and manhole linings and traffic control. G&D also observed by-pass pumping pressure, manhole coating spark testing and reported issues to contractor and New Hanover County officials.

Winston-Salem Wastewater Collection System Improvements

This $3.1 million project involved the rehabilitation of 50,000 linear feet of sanitary sewer ranging from 8 to 18 inches in diameter. The project was a "find-it-and-fix-it" contract, in which the contractor cleaned and performed CCTV inspection of the sewer mains, and submitted the video to G&D for review and direction regarding the required rehabilitation.

Most of the pipe was lined with CIPP, and many segments required point repairs in downtown streets and sidewalks with numerous buried utilities. The project also included 250 manholes, most of which were lined with cementitous liner, and required installation of new frames and covers. Most of this work was done at night to avoid disruptions of traffic and business, but the project also included work around residences where the City noise ordinance required the work to be performed in the day.

G&D's responsibilities included observation of sewer main lining and manhole lining; witnessing vacuum tests of manholes, performing manhole inspections; mapping manholes using a Trimble Geo XT GPS receiver and transferring data to CMU mapping specialists. G&D was also part of a 24-hour response team that was needed to be on site in the event of overflows or service disruptions that can result as part of the liner installation process.

Ardmore Branch Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation, Winston Salem NC

G&D provided inspection services for the Ardmore Branch Outfall Sewer Rehabilitation Project for Winston/Forsyth Utilities. This project involved pipe bursting over 5,000 LF of 15 and 18-inch sewer, and open cut replacement of an additional 4,000 of 18- and 24-inch sewer. Work also included manhole rehabilitation and replacement, and replacement of 13 aerial stream crossings. G&D was also responsible for the design of three of the replacement aerial sanitary sewer stream crossings: two 8-inch diameter and one 15-inch diameter that was up-sized to a 16-inch. Construction of the aerial crossings was recently completed.

Suttle Street Sanitary Sewer Rehabilitation

G&D was contracted by the City of Shelby to assist staff in the evaluation of areas identified as having chronic maintenance problems or known sources of infiltration and inflow (I/I). It became evident in performing inspections that most or all the annual budget of $500,000 could be spent on work needed in the Suttle Street area alone. Following the performance of the SSES and associated analysis, G&D performed the design and prepared the contract documents for the rehabilitation of 5,000 feet of sewer and 31 manholes. This project was a mix of CIPP and "dig-and-replace", and included rerouting of sewer to avoid buildings, demolition of decrepit housing, and the reroute of an aerial stream crossing.

McAlpine Creek Relief Sewer (CMU)

G&D is serving as RPR responsible for construction observation and materials testing on this multi-million construction project as a sub-consultant to the designer for Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities. Responsibilities include:

  1. Review Schedules
  2. Arrange and attend project meetings
  3. Serve as liaison between Owner, Engineer and Contractor
  4. Review work, rejection of defective work, inspections, and tests (including materials)
  5. Maintain records
  6. Generate progress reports
  7. Review applications for payment
  8. Project close out

Phase 1 of the sewer pipe has been installed along McAlpine Creek from Rushmore Drive (south of I-485) to just north of Highway 51 (Pineville-Matthews Road). The sewer pipe is 78-inches in diameter at I-485 and 72-inches in diameter at Highway 51 and includes multiple bores. Additional phases of construction are pending.

Newland Communities River Road Realignment Project

G&D provided construction observation, consultation, and documentation on actual field conditions in accordance with NCDOT standards on this road realignment project in Wilmington, NC. As part of this project, G&D performed construction observation and materials testing services related to clearing and grubbing operations with erosion control, placement of fill material with proper lifts, compaction, proof rolling and density testing, fine grading, and placement of ABC, and asphalt.

CMU Andover/McAlway 36-inch Water Main

G&D provided construction observation, construction materials testing, and engineering support on this project. Specifically, services included tracking quantities of materials in unit cost contract; compaction testing; pipe testing; pipe disinfection testing; field direction on subgrade excavation and stabilization; inspection of construction of water and sanitary and storm sewer infrastructure replacement and relocation; tracking of contractor SBE/MWBE subcontractor usage; and interaction with property owners and citizens impacted by the construction.

Village Park Storm Drain Outfall and Phase 2C Improvements

The $2.0 million Village Park Storm Drainage construction project was conducted for the City of Kannapolis Department of Parks and Recreation in Kannapolis. The 8-acre project area was about one half of the entire area of Village Park. The storm sewer consisted of nearly 1,600 linear feet of 84-inch and 200 LF of 96-inch pipe with construction of park improvements essentially on top of the storm sewer. The new storm sewer was constructed between 25 and 30 feet below the existing surface grade. The park area was built was in an old construction debris landfill.

An existing, active 54-inch CMP storm sewer dating back to the 1940's ran beneath the entire work area, including beneath the proposed new storm sewer. G&D worked with the Contractor, the Designer, and the City to devise a plan to enable the construction of the new facilities and maintain storm water flows. Services included tracking quantities of materials in unit cost contract; compaction testing; pipe testing; proof-roll observation; field direction on subgrade excavation and stabilization; field direction on the application of geotextiles; special inspection services for reinforced concrete structures; inspection of construction of water and sanitary sewer infrastructure replacement and relocation; monitoring of rock excavation; shop drawing review; and engineering services related to the re-work of a new 84-inch storm sewer route to minimize risk of failure and bypass pumping requirements.

University of North Carolina at Charlotte (UNCC) Greek Village

The $16.0 million Greek Village development, on the campus of UNCC, included fourteen new dormitory buildings spread across sixteen campus acres. The village will eventually accommodate as many as 640 students. There were also related water, sewer, storm drainage, parking, access, and landscape construction, including retaining walls over 20 feet in height. Common outdoor spaces create a park-like setting for activities and events and serve as a centerpiece for the Village.

The project site was former farmland and a spoils dump that was bisected by wetlands, jurisdictional waters and multiple utility easements. G&D provided construction material testing/observation and engineering support on this project. Specifically, services included tracking and calculating quantities of cut and fill; compaction testing; subgrade verification; concrete testing; proofroll observation; field direction on subgrade excavation and stabilization; field direction on the application of geotextiles; support for special inspection services for all construction; monitoring of rock excavation; and asphalt testing. G&D also provided engineering services related to the repair of an existing sanitary sewer. The sewer had not been accepted into the CMU system due to defects. G&D was hired directly by UNCC after a repair made by the contractor under the direction of the design engineer failed to meet CMU requirements. The sewer was accepted after repairs were made.