I-20 at CR 249/Old Mill Road DB Project

The Georgia Department of Transportation (GDOT) solicited design-build responses for a new interchange at I-20 and CR-249/Old Mill Road in Morgan County, Georgia, under a two-phase best value selection process with a Request for Qualifications due March 31, 2023. The project has been awarded to C.W. Matthews Contracting Co., Inc. in joint venture with Infrastructure Consulting & Engineering, PLLC for $49.3 million with a 705-calendar-day contract duration.

The scope includes relocating Old Mill Road over I-20, constructing a new interchange approximately 0.5 miles east of the existing rest area, removing the existing bridge, converting the existing Old Mill Road into a cul-de-sac north of I-20, and constructing two roundabouts at the I-20 entrance and exit ramp terminals. The Design-Builder structure required a Lead Contractor and Lead Design Consultant working collaboratively. The Lead Design Consultant must be prequalified in Urban Interstate Highway Design (Area Class 3.05), and the complete team must demonstrate prequalification in NEPA documentation, traffic studies, bridge design, land surveying, utility coordination, and erosion control planning. Project Managers were required to have minimum ten years of experience in similar project complexity and scope.

The project carries a DBE participation goal. The awarded team proposed fourteen DBE participants specializing in transportation, concrete construction, grading, hydroseed services, and engineering consulting; listing does not constitute final approval but indicates acceptability for DBE goal satisfaction provided work complies with contract provisions. Twenty-two firms were identified as conflicted and ineligible.

The two-phase evaluation proceeded as follows: Phase One required Statements of Qualifications by April 27, 2023, with up to five finalists selected by May 19, 2023. Phase Two involved Technical and Price Proposals from finalists due September 21, 2023, with price proposals opening October 13, 2023 at letting. An Industry Forum was held March 3, 2023, followed by optional virtual one-on-one meetings March 7–8, 2023. The Request for Proposals to finalists was issued May 26, 2023. Award was announced November 2, 2023.