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• Construction Equipment Guide Features Reed & Reed
• Portland Press Herald - Design Unveiled for new Veterans Bridge

Veterans Memorial Bridge Replacement Project Set To Begin

The Maine Department of Transportation (MaineDOT) announced today that construction on the new bridge to replace the Veterans Memorial Bridge that connects Portland and South Portland is set to begin this May. Reed & Reed, Inc. of Woolwich was selected as the contractor for the $63 million project. The Veterans Memorial Bridge connects the cities of Portland and South Portland and carries over 22,000 vehicles a day. 

“This bridge is a gateway to Maine’s largest metropolitan area, and this bridge is vital to move vehicle, pedestrian and bicycle traffic safely and efficiently between Portland and South Portland,” said David Cole, MaineDOT Commissioner. “It also must be a fitting tribute to Maine’s many veterans who served their country.”

Reed & Reed was selected as the “design-build” contractor by MaineDOT after MaineDOT had evaluated the three design-build proposals that were submitted. Reed & Reed’s team includes Falmouth-based T.Y. Lin International as the team’s lead design and engineering firm.

The design-build plan submitted by Reed and Reed involves a community-centered plan to replace the Veterans Memorial Bridge. This plan includes significant public involvement that will invite public input on specific aspects of the project.  A design-build process allows for a faster construction schedule while allowing input into the project. The bridge will also honor Maine’s veterans with design attributes.

“The new bridge is designed to last 100 years, so it is extremely important that we include all modes of transportation, rightfully honor our veterans, and engage the communities in its design and construction. The design-build process allows us to do that,” said Cole.

The design team will hold a public meeting early this spring to gather further community input and finalize the design elements of the bridge. Construction on the new bridge is estimated at 33 months. The new bridge is expected to open to traffic in July, 2012 with the removal of the old bridge completing in December, 2012.

Along with T.Y. Lin as the design team, Reed & Reed will utilize three other Portland-based firms that will provide additional services for the project: architectural firm SMRT for landscape design services; GZA GeoEnvironmental for geotechnical engineering services; and Barton & Gingold for the pre-construction public education process and ongoing communications throughout the project.

MaineDOT utilized a “best value” scoring process in its selection of the design-build team that takes into account the technical value of innovations and features of the design and construction concepts as well as the cost of the project.

The Reed & Reed team was awarded the highest technical score and they submitted the lowest bid price of $63.1 million.  The other teams submitting proposals included the Lane Construction Corporation / Figg Engineering with a bid of $68.4 million; and the Cianbro Corporation / Louis Berger with a bid of $69.6 million.

“We are thrilled to be building this important bridge project and consider this award an honor, especially given the qualifications of our competitors.  Our team worked hard to develop a number of innovative design concepts and the expertise that Reed & Reed brings to this project makes all of our employees very proud,” said Jackson Parker, President and CEO of Reed & Reed.  “Reed & Reed has a long history of building many of Maine’s bridges, including the Casco Bay Bridge Approach Spans Substructure; the Brunswick-Topsham Bypass; and Maine’s award-winning Penobscot Narrows Bridge in a joint venture.  Our designer, T.Y. Lin International, also has a long history of designing many of Maine’s bridges including the Casco Bay Bridge and the Topsham-Brunswick Bypass.”

An informational web site and regular email updates will be available to any interested members of the public in the near future. 

Reed & Reed to Build 50mw

Wind Project in Roxbury, Maine

       Woolwich, ME   Reed & Reed has been selected by Record Hill Wind, LLC  as the EPC (Engineer – Procure – Construct) Contractor for their 50.6 megawatt wind energy project in the town of Roxbury, Maine.   Reed & Reed will provide a full spectrum of services for the project, which includes installing 22 wind turbines on Partridge Peak and Flathead Mountain.  As EPC Contractor, Reed & Reed will perform site work, WTG foundations, and oversee the transportation of state-of-the-art equipment from the port to the turbine pads.  The company’s crews will erect the 22 wind turbines, and provide all civil, structural, electrical, substation, and mechanical work necessary for a project of this size.  Reed & Reed will also construct a substation and the project’s operation and maintenance building.  Limited site work began last fall and will resume in the summer with construction of the foundations and collector system.  Turbine installation is slated for 2011.

     Jackson Parker, President & CEO of Reed & Reed, commented on his company’s latest construction project.  “We are extremely pleased to have been selected to build this important wind project in Western Maine.   Record Hill is the first commercial-scale wind project in this part of the state, and will provide enough clean, renewable energy to power approximately 25,000 homes and small businesses. We have been very busy constructing similar projects throughout New England and Reed & Reed is very proud to provide our expertise in yet another region of our home state.”   Parker noted that projects of this sort are a boom to the local economy.  “When our construction team spends almost a year in a town in Maine, it means that the local subcontractors and vendors, the local hotels and restaurants, the local gas stations and convenience stores see a big boost in their business.  The fact is, projects like this one stimulate Maine’s economy, while providing a clean, renewable, alternative energy source that reduces our dependence on expensive foreign oil.” In 2008 Reed & Reed built the 57 megawatt Stetson I Wind Power Project in Northern Maine and recently completed Stetson II, a 25.5 mw expansion of the original project. Reed & Reed is also the EPC contractor currently constructing the Kibby Wind Power Project near the Canadian border. This 132 megawatt project is the largest wind power project either on-line or under construction in New England. 

About Reed & Reed

     Reed & Reed is one of Northern New England’s largest and most versatile heavy-civil contractors building bridges, wind power projects, and other essential infrastructure. Founded in 1928 by Captain Josiah W. Reed and his son Carlton Day Reed, the company has prospered under four generations of family leadership to build a longstanding reputation as one of Northern New England’s leading heavy contractors.  On the web at: www.reed-reed.com. 

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