 |
Tom Hughes
Construction Superintendent |
| Address: |
155 Deer Hill Avenue
Danbury, CT 06810 |
| Phone: |
(203)796-8069 |
About us:
The Construction Services Division of the Public Works Department was created two years ago as part of the Public Works Department reorganization. This division works closley with all the divisions of the Public Works Department as well as the Office Of Neighborhood Assistance’s UNIT and the Health & Human Services Department.
This division has filled a niche in the organization for the general contracting of projects from $10,000 to $2,000,000, which are now performed in-house. The Division implements a variety of city projects, utilizing its equipment to accomplish tasks in the most efficient and cost effective manner possible. This Division also uses our low bid, on-call, contractors or a combination of city crews and on-call contractors to perform projects. The Construction Services Division works on implementing a variety of projects including road rehabilitation, bridge repairs, building renovations, drainage and the construction management of other large city projects.
The division includes 3 Construction Managers, priding ourselves on completing our projects on time and within budget. Each of the division’s Construction Managers has over twenty years experience in the construction industry, trades and public works projects.
Road opening permits and street opening permits are also issued through the Construction Services Division. Construction Services Division is also responsible for enforcing the city’s snow removal ordinance
Our accomplishments:
Once again, the Construction Services Division has had a significant impact on our ability to stretch our capital dollars. This division works and implements construction of projects, much like a private general contractor would. We have drastically reduced the need for outside construction management of smaller projects, and perform construction of these projects in-house by using our own staff and equipment.
Road opening permits saw an increase over the previous year, from 168 permits to177, generating fees in the amount of $10,008. The permitting process requires coordination and team work and has many facets; certificate of occupancy inspections, infrastructure inspections for roads, sidewalks and driveways. This division also managed the bond requirements for street opening permits. The Construction Services Division is also responsible for enforcing the cities snow removal ordinance issuing 353 warnings this past year alone.
The division acting as the Contractor Administrator and Inspection force completed the Pavement Preservation Project on White Street and Franklin Street. By utilizing our in-house resources there was a significant cost savings to the project and the taxpayers of Danbury. The project came in under budget and on schedule. This ARRA project was 100% reimbursable including the city work force. Construction Services was able to go back to the CT Department of Transportation and request to perform additional work with the remaining funds. An additional 7,000 Square Feet of new sidewalk on White Street, and the widening of White Street from Locust Avenue east, added an additional travel lane to White Street.
Construction Services also administered and performed the inspection of the Lincoln Avenue reconstruction and drainage project. This project was funded by a LOCIP and CDBG grant to the city. The project was completely designed in-house and was an extremely challenging project. The new sidewalks, drainage and road have really made an impressive improvement to the neighborhood.
Working with the city’s Engineering Division, Construction Services administrated the Boehringer Ingelheim Access Improvement project. This project included road widening, drainage improvements, new sidewalk pavement resurfacing and new traffic signalization along Briar Ridge Road, Old Ridgebury Road and the northerly end of Benson Drive. Phase one was completed on time and under budget. We requested to perform additional work with the remaining grant funds. Phase II started this spring installing new sidewalk on Old Ridgebury Road to Mill Plain Road. Reconstruction of the median on Old Ridgebury Road from Mill Plain Road to the I- 84 on ramp with additional decorative street lighting. Phase II was designed in house, administrated, and inspected by the Construction Services Division resulting in additional savings to the taxpayers. This project was completely funded by a grant from the State of Connecticut Department of Economic Development.
Construction Services administered and performed the inspection of the Library Place sidewalk and drainage improvement project. This project was funded by a LOCIP grant to the city. Construction Services also performed the project contract administration of the Backus Avenue Bridge Reconstruction over Miry Brook. This project was funded by an ARRA grant to the city, and was completed on time and within budget. The bridge, drainage, and road have really made an impressive improvement to Backus Avenue.
Construction Services performed contract administration and inspection on several projects for the Tarrywile Park Authority. Developing bid specifications for a period masonry restoration of three brick masonry chimneys was completed on time and within budget. We administrated the construction of an additional parking lot which will be completed shortly. This project was funded through a CT D.E.P. grant 65% with a match of 35% by the City of Danbury. The parking lot surface materials were supplied and transported by the Highway Division and teamwork by the Public Works Department again resulted in significant savings to Danbury’s taxpayers.
In the future, the division looks forward to being a successful part of the Director’s continuing initiative of performing more in-house work and to continuing the development of our ability to complete in-house management of infrastructure and capital improvement projects. We look forward to the continued development of this new division and proudly serve as part of the Public Works Department Team.