Stafford County’s Flatford Road Sidewalk project created a safer, more connected pedestrian route near neighborhoods and schools in one of the County’s busiest corridors. The improvements filled a key sidewalk gap while addressing drainage, safety, and accessibility needs along a stretch used daily by pedestrians and local traffic.
The VDOT Locally Administered Project (LAP) involved the construction of 1,200 feet of sidewalk, curb and gutter, ramps, storm sewer, and a stormwater basin, strengthening infrastructure along a corridor already shared by both heavy vehicle and foot traffic.
Delivering Construction Support from Pre-Construction to Closeout
ATCS supported the County through each phase of construction, beginning with the development of the Quality Assurance Plan (QAP) and facilitating the pre-construction meeting. Followed by management through active construction and culminating in project closeout.
Our team developed and tracked baseline and monthly schedules, provided full-time inspection and materials testing, and ensured compliance with the LAP Manual. Particular attention was placed on the safety and maintenance of traffic (MOT), given the active pedestrian corridor, adjacent vehicle traffic, and construction equipment in the narrow right-of-way. We monitored MOT phasing both before and during the project.
The Flatford Road Sidewalk project reached substantial completion in just 92 calendar days, ahead of the 120-day contract duration. This early delivery was made possible by the contractor’s efficient execution and ATCS’ proactive field leadership, technical insight, and close coordination with County staff and project partners.
Resolving Field Conflicts Without Compromising Safety
Early in construction, ATCS identified a conflict between the proposed grading and adjacent private properties. The original plan would have required removing fencing and trees to accommodate a handrail behind the sidewalk. ATCS led a site walk with the County, contractor, and residents to collaboratively revise the grading, ultimately eliminating the handrail and preserving surrounding property features without impacting safety.
Later in construction, we flagged a structural concern with the planned guardrail installation. The design called for installation directly on asphalt, which posed a risk of premature failure due to water accumulation and inadequate support. Our team coordinated with County and VDOT representatives to revise the section to include 6 inches of compacted 21B stone under the guardrail, an improvement made using existing contract items and implemented without delay.
Proactive Coordination on Utility Issues
Unmarked utilities posed an unexpected challenge during the excavation of the stormwater structure. ATCS served as the County’s primary field liaison, coordinating daily meetings with the contractor and VDOT to resolve the issues efficiently while maintaining safety and avoiding rework. Our inspector remained the primary point of contact on-site, ensuring real-time communication and consistent oversight.
Advancing Community Connectivity
With new sidewalk infrastructure in place, the Flatford Road Sidewalk project enhances access and mobility for nearby neighborhoods, schools, and public facilities. The County’s investment in walkable infrastructure strengthens daily connectivity and promotes a safer environment for all users.
Related Projects
