SDSU Site Development, Precast Arch Bridge

As part of a collaborative design-build contract with Clark Construction, the project is developing the site surrounding SDSU’s new multi-use Snapdragon Stadium. The project team will demolish a former NFL stadium, construct temporary facilities, and install infrastructure such as roadways, a trolley plaza, and parking lots. This project is part of the university’s Mission Valley development, a 1.6-million-square-foot campus expansion located adjacent to the stadium that is slated to include a research and innovation district, residential communities with 4,600 units on 15 blocks, conference and hotel accommodations, 95,000 square feet of commercial and retail space, and nearly 80 acres of green space along the San Diego River. 

Atkinson’s scope of work includes constructing a 64-foot-wide concrete bridge built out of 80-foot precast arched concrete units. Atkinson is also constructing approximately 5,000 SF of 5-foot by 5-foot Mechanically Stabilized Earth (MSE) retaining walls. These walls served as the approach and departure paths across the precast bridge.

During Preconstruction, Atkinson played a major part in managing project for Clark. This included weekly Owners Meeting with SDSU Director of Construction & Staff, Construction Management Firm (OCMI), and Civil Engineer Designer (PDC), where Atkinson provided insight to project cost estimates and how Trend Log items (both additive and deductive concepts) impacted the overall estimate. We met with stakeholders to discuss the individual impacts additive or deductive scope had on the estimate, always keeping an eye on CSU’s overall budget.

Atkinson also provided heavy civil constructability reviews as the design progressed to help steer the design and keep the Project in budget. Ultimately, Atkinson self-performed the H-Street Precast Bridge and MSE wall structure and remained on-site after our base contract to perform civil scope to aid in maintaining schedule milestones or pickup additional civil scope across the campus. Some of the additional work included Friars Road concrete barrier work, site flatwork (curb, gutter, sidewalk, ADA truncated domes), wayfinding sign footings, Rancho Mission Road Bridge tie-in & partial bridge barrier replacement, and San Diego Mission Road concrete drainage aprons.