JMT/Parsons Brinckerhoff named GEC for Maryland bridge replacement

Washington, D.C. — The Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) selected a joint venture of Johnson, Mirmiran & Thompson, Inc. (JMT) and Parsons Brinckerhoff as general engineering consultant for the replacement of the Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge.

The Harry W. Nice Memorial Bridge, also known as the Potomac River Bridge, is a 1.7-mile (2.7 km), two-lane continuous truss bridge on US 301 that spans the Potomac River between Newburg in Maryland and Dahlgren in Virginia. The $1 billion programmed budget involves replacing the existing structure with a wider, modern bridge in order to alleviate traffic congestion and enhance safety.

The JMT/Parsons Brinckerhoff joint venture will provide comprehensive program management services for preliminary engineering, final design, and construction management and inspection. The scope of work includes completing the bridge-type study (cable-stayed, concrete segmental or other bridge type), determining the project delivery method, conducting a tolling study to determine the optimal toll operations scenario for the bridge, performing financial and funding analyses, and developing risk management, financial management and project management plans. In addition, the team will assist the Authority in “right-sizing” the structure to reduce total costs.

Construction of the bridge is expected to start in 2020-2025, with completion slated for 2025-2030.