GET was responsible for the soils explorations and engineering evaluations for a multi-phased project for the Alabama Department of Transportation (ALDOT) along the I-65 corridor in Shelby County, Alabama extending from mile post 238 to mile post 247.
The geotechnical investigations and studies were performed for all work associated with the widening of I-65 both in the north and southbound directions along the corridor. The widening included two additional lanes in each direction and lane additions or widening of each ramp interchange along the route. In addition to the nine miles of roadway widening, there were three dual bridges on I-65 widened and one bridge over I-65 that was widened. Nine retaining walls varying in height from 2 feet to 19 feet above finished ground line were required to accommodate the roadway widening. These included standard ALDOT cast-in-place retaining walls and mechanically stabilized earth reinforced retaining walls. Due to very soft soils encountered along a portion of one wall, the wall was supported on intermediate (Geopier©) foundations. Additional culverts and culvert extensions were required as part of the widening. GET completed 547 borings for the project totaling approximately 12,000 feet of drilling of which 1650 feet required rock coring.
Reports produced by GET for the project included the Slope Study Reports, Soils Survey and Materials Reports, Retaining Wall Foundation Reports, Bridge Foundation Reports and Culvert Foundation Reports.
Shelby County, Alabama