Prince William County transformed a critical 3-mile section of Balls Ford Road with one of its highest-priority transportation investments. The Prince William Parkway Interchange at Realigned Balls Ford Road project, completed for $109 million, constructed a four-lane divided roadway, a diverging diamond interchange (DDI), and a new bridge over Norfolk Southern Railroad. Sidewalks and shared-use paths were also added to enhance multimodal access. This design-build project replaced an at-grade intersection with a grade-separated solution, supporting future development and regional mobility.
Comprehensive Construction Oversight for a Major LAP Project
As a VDOT Locally Administered Project (LAP), the initiative required expertise in contract compliance, quality assurance, and complex schedule and change management. ATCS administered the project on behalf of the County, overseeing construction activities, documentation, materials testing audits, and progress tracking.
For the $70 million construction phase, ATCS provided a full-time design-build project manager, an office engineer, a senior construction inspector, and a part-time scheduling specialist. We led schedule reviews, pay application tracking, and field audits in close coordination with County staff and the contractor, maintaining clear documentation to meet federal and state funding requirements. Our proactive involvement helped the County adjust staffing and reporting throughout the project without losing momentum.
Implementing Comprehensive Construction Management
ATCS collaborated with Prince William County and the contractor to develop the baseline schedule and perform monthly schedule updates, ensuring consistent progress monitoring and accountability. We reviewed contractor pay applications, managed invoicing and financial tracking, and facilitated engineering support services as needed.
Our inspection staff ensured adherence to VDOT and contract standards, including materials testing, documentation audits, and quality oversight in the field. As design refinements emerged during construction, we supported the County in adapting plans, tracking changes, and preserving overall delivery goals.
Resolving Design Challenges Through Early Coordination
The ATCS team supported the County in identifying and resolving design challenges before they caused delays. We led coordination on several significant scope adjustments:
- Roundabout at Randolph Ridge Lane / Delinski Way: During design, ATCS facilitated coordination with the County and design-build team to add a roundabout to improve traffic operations and safety. The concept required adjustments to limited access controls and ultimately received endorsement from the Board of County Supervisors.
- Extension to Jennell Drive: The project’s final design extended Balls Ford Road’s four-lane widening by approximately 600 feet to connect to Jennell Drive. This addition supported future development and corridor connectivity. ATCS coordinated approval and implementation without disruption to the overall schedule.
Schedule Management and Partnering for Long-Term Value
Our team oversaw critical schedule claims, including an integrated Time Impact Analysis (TIA) requesting 240 additional days and nearly $1 million in added compensation. We conducted independent reviews of documentation, interviewed County staff, and demonstrated that delays stemmed from contractor submission issues, enabling the County to protect its resources and negotiate confidently.
Weekly progress meetings and monthly executive partnering meetings ensured issues were addressed in real-time. ATCS maintained open communication with County staff, contractors, and design teams, ensuring transparency and accountability throughout all phases.
Enhancing Safety, Mobility, and Economic Potential
The completed diverging diamond interchange has significantly improved safety, traffic flow, and pedestrian access. By removing conflict points and adding grade separation, the project has reduced congestion and enhanced regional connectivity.