Henry Drive Phase 2

Project OverviewDescripción del proyecto

Emery Sapp & Sons (ESS) was awarded phase two of the $6 million Henry Drive project by the Army Corporation of Engineers (USACE). The project included the construction of a turbo roundabout to replace the current intersection of Henry Drive and Smoky Hill Road in Fort Riley, Kansas.

The project was slated to repair the current failed roadway and improve the shoulders between the roundabouts allowing the traffic to flow more efficiently on the military base. This was one of the first turbo roundabouts constructed in America. Turbo roundabouts are beneficial because of their durability and long lasting pavement. This improvement is crucial as the entrance to the fort is a highly trafficked area.

The first initiative on the job-site was to demolish the existing entrance road next to the airfield. Before ESS was able to move forward with demolition, the project team completed nearly 15 preconstruction meetings with engineers and the general contractor to discuss the best plan and schedule for constructibility, accessibility, and safety of the crews on site.

Shortly after demolition was complete, the ESS crew switched gears and began the grading and excavation of more than 50,000 cubic yards of earth. Working on an active military base is not an easy feat. Security measures are heavily enforced and the airfield only allows for limited equipment use. The preconstruction meetings aided our crew with the best plan to overcome anticipated obstacles such as conducting construction operations near the protected wetland area adjacent to the job site. Additionally, crews on site navigated ongoing construction operations alongside the entrance of the base that saw consistently heavy traffic. The crews diligently operated equipment in this area, keeping the safety of the civilians and soldiers coming and going a top priority. Project team members were extra mindful of their surroundings and diligently upheld top-notch safety standards day in and day out.

Phase two of the Henry Drive turbo roundabout was completed in April 2022, just a year after the ESS team stepped on site. ESS prides itself on being a part of any “first” — it’s always a win in our book. However, we’re particularly proud that our work on this project earned ESS a Concrete Paving Award by the American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA) Missouri/Kansas Chapter in 2023. Any partnership with the USACE is a true honor and to be recognized for ESS contribution to the base is unparalleled.