Guilford Technical Community College Connection

Volkert was tasked to design a much-needed roadway connection from the existing main Guilford Technical Community College Jamestown, North Carolina, campus to the expansion campus. This involved designing a tunnel crossing under the existing four-lane Guilford College Road. Work included roadway design, traffic control plans, and wetland and stormwater permitting. The tunnel is made of a steel plate pipe with mechanically stabilized earth (MSE) retaining walls. 

In addition to the design and permit work, Volkert developed all contracting documents and conducted the bid opening. Volkert provided CEI services, acting as the owner’s representative, and was responsible for ensuring that the project was constructed according to the plans and specifications. 

Volkert encountered challenges due to the traffic volume on Guilford College Road. The volume of traffic forced Volkert to design the project in such a way as to assemble the tunnel in two sections. 

Work began in February 2018 by placing traffic in a two-lane, two-way pattern on one side of the existing road, while the other side was excavated and the tunnel and walls assembled. In late August, the contractor began the excavation for the other half of the tunnel installation. Work was completed in June 2019 with a total project cost of $3.4 million.