2015 Annual Report Operated by: A partner of:

Transcription

1 2015 Annual Report Operated by: A partner of:

2 From the new skyline over I-264 in Portsmouth, to the noticeable advancements on both sides of the new Midtown Tunnel, our construction team has made tremendous headway on the Elizabeth River Tunnels (ERT) Project. Signs of progress are everywhere, and we are another year closer to improving infrastructure and connectivity in Hampton Roads. All eleven tunnel elements have been successfully immersed and joined under the Elizabeth River, and the Martin Luther King Freeway Extension (MLK) is closer to becoming a reality. Our customers traveling through the Downtown Tunnel are experiencing a smoother and brighter ride with a freshly paved roadway and LED lighting, among other critical upgrades and improvements. These improvements, combined with the exceptional dedication of our operations and maintenance teams, are resulting in safer travels and a better overall driving experience at the Downtown and Midtown tunnels. I m especially proud of being part of a team that not only focuses on providing good customer service, but also gives back to the Hampton Roads community. ERT Project team members from all departments regularly volunteer their time and talents and generously donate to area organizations working to improve the lives of those in need. From holding food and toy drives to rolling up their sleeves to help clean the Chesapeake Bay, the ERT Project team strives to not only improve connectivity, but also the community. Greg Woodsmall CEO, Elizabeth River Crossings Elizabeth River Tunnels

3 Contents Hampton Roads Regional Engagement... 2 Project and Partner Milestones... 3 Construction Milestones... 4 I-264 Downtown Tunnel Rehabilitation... 6 MLK Freeway Extension Construction... 7 U.S. 58 Midtown Tunnel Construction... 8 SKW in the Community...10 The ERT Project: Sharing the Rest of the Story...12 ERT Customer Service Center...14 A New Look for DriveERT.com...15 Charitable Giving...16 Safety Week/Award Winners...18 Employee of the Quarter...19 ERC in the Community Annual Report 1

4 Hampton Roads Regional Engagement ERT Project Community Transportation Leadership Roundtable The Elizabeth River Tunnels (ERT) Project team continues to engage community, business, civic and military leaders through quarterly meetings and regular updates with members of the ERT Project Community Transportation Leadership Roundtable. Roundtable meetings this year were held at the Children s Museum of Virginia in Portsmouth, SKW Construction Offices, and the Norfolk Red Cross. The Roundtable features a diverse group of community leaders and project stakeholders who provide valuable feedback to the Project team and who also share Project information with their respective communities. This year, the roundtable received a firsthand look at construction activities with a hard hat tour of the new Midtown Tunnel and Portsmouth Approach. DBE/SWaM Update The ERT Project continues to meet and exceed commitments to engage and support the Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) and Small, Women, and Minority Owned Businesses (SWaM) in the Hampton Roads region. The work involving DBE and SWaM firms represents contractors, subcontractors and vendors spanning across all aspects of the ERT Project, including operations and maintenance of the Downtown and Midtown tunnels by Elizabeth River Crossings, OpCo LLC (ERC) and Project construction by SKW Constructors, JV (SKW). ERC DBE/SWaM Participation Year DBE %DBE SWaM %SWaM Total Expenditures 2012 $2,137, % $7,061, % $20,672, $2,489, % $4,600, % $10,284, $3,591, % $3,630, % $11,973, (Q1-Q2) $1,659, % $1,540, % $6,716,536 Cumulative $9,877, % $16,831, % $49,647,492 Design-Build DBE/SWaM Participation Quarter Payments Progress to Total Goal Cumulative to Date Cumulative to Date/Goal Value $ % DBE $14,122,215 $66,695, % $107,800,805 12% SWaM $7,483,708 $124,817, % $202,400,000 23% Total DBE/SWaM $21,605,923 $191,513, % $310,200,805 35% Non-DBE/SWaM $18,601,987 $295,706,980 Grand Total $40,207,910 $487,220,428 2 Elizabeth River Tunnels

5 Project and Partner Milestones October 2014 Elizabeth River Crossings (ERC) implements a Toll System Improvement Action Plan at the Elizabeth River Tunnels (ERT). December 2014 The ERT Project is named the #1 Road Project in North America in 2014 by Roads & Bridges magazine. December 26, 2014 ERC launches the Missed a Toll Feature on DriveERT.com, offering unregistered Pay by Plate motorists a way to pay tolls online within 96 hours of their travel. April 2015 SKW Constructors (SKW), the design build contractor for the ERT Project, is named a recipient of the Silver Environmental Projects award under the Virginia Governor s Environmental Excellence Awards for June 2015 ERC launches the new DriveERT.com, an interactive, mobile optimized website featuring a toll rate calculator and realtime traffic information. November 20, 2014 The ERT Project is recognized by the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) as an Extraordinary Environmental Enterprise. SKW Constructors, the designbuild contractor for the ERT Project, becomes the first construction project contractor in Virginia to be awarded membership in VDEQ s Environmental Excellence Program (VEEP) at the E4 Level. May 4, 2015 ERC holds its third annual Employee Safety Week, which includes training courses and educational programs to improve employees knowledge on the recognition, avoidance, and prevention of safety issues and health hazards in the workplaces. May 20, 2015 July 10, 2015 Governor McAuliffe announces the Commonwealth of Virginia will contribute $78 million to eliminate tolls on the completed MLK Freeway Extension. ERC commits $5 million over 10 years to the toll relief fund. ERC becomes a Virginia Values Veterans (V3) certified employer. The V3 Program is a Commonwealth of Virginia, Department July 12, 2015 of Veterans Services Program that help ERC marks its third Operations and employers understand, design, and implement Maintenance (O&M) anniversary. nationally recognized best practices 2015 Annual Report in recruiting, hiring and retaining Veterans. 3

6 Construction Milestones JULY Lighting and jet fan installation inside the I-264 West Downtown Tunnel is complete. I-264 East Downtown Tunnel rehabilitation begins with removal of tunnel ceiling panels. A lay barge is overhauled and updated for Midtown Tunnel construction. AUGUST Screed barge at the new Midtown Tunnel site is constructed and tested. Harbor Drive in Portsmouth permanently closed between High Street and Turnpike Road for construction of MLK mainline. Fabrication of the new pedestrian bridge near Frederick Boulevard begins. SEPTEMBER Portsmouth Cut-and- Cover section of new Midtown Tunnel complete JANUARY January 22, 2015: Element 4 of the new Midtown Tunnel is immersed and placed in the Elizabeth River. FEBRUARY February 11, 2015: Element 5 of the new Midtown Tunnel is immersed and placed in the federal channel of the Elizabeth River. MARCH Downtown Tunnel (DTT) Midtown Tunnel (MTT) Martin Luther King Extension (MLK) March 4, 2015: New Midtown Tunnel construction reaches halfway mark with Element 6 successfully placed in the federal channel of the Elizabeth River. Norfolk Cut-and-Cover section of new Midtown Tunnel complete. The I-264 East Downtown Tunnel is repaved. New lane signals and dynamic message boards installed and activated inside the westbound Downtown Tunnel. Steel girders are installed over I-264 to serve as structural support for the ramp that will carry traffic to I-264 West from the future MLK Extension. 4 Elizabeth River Tunnels

7 OCTOBER DECEMBER October 27, 2014: Element 1 of the new Midtown Tunnel is immersed and placed in the Elizabeth River. London Boulevard South off-ramp from U.S. 58 West reopens to traffic. Harbor Drive in Portsmouth permanently closes between London Boulevard and High Street. Pier foundation construction begins on the columns that support the raised roadway. NOVEMBER November 11, 2014: Element 2 of the new Midtown Tunnel is immersed and placed in the Elizabeth River. All concrete and tile repairs to I-264 East Downtown Tunnel are complete. Fireproofing of the ceiling begins. December 9, 2014: Element 3 of the new Midtown Tunnel is immersed and placed in the Elizabeth River. Crews begin removing temporary bulkheads between the Portsmouth Cut-and-Cover and new Midtown Tunnel elements. The first sections of steel girders are set on the new I-264 interchange ramp near Frederick Boulevard APRIL Fireproofing is complete inside the I-264 East Downtown Tunnel. April 15, 2015: Element 7 of the new Midtown Tunnel is immersed and placed in the federal channel of the Elizabeth River. MAY The I-264 West Downtown Tunnel is repaved. May 8, 2015: Element 8 of the new Midtown Tunnel is immersed and placed in the Elizabeth River. May 28, 2015: Element 9 of the new Midtown Tunnel is immersed and placed in the Elizabeth River. JUNE Installation of new lighting for I-264 East Downtown begins. Norfolk Tunnel Support Building construction begins. Closure section cofferdam wall removed from Elizabeth River side to receive Element 11. First concrete deck is poured on ramp that will carry traffic from the future MLK Extension South to I-264 West. JULY July 8, 2015: Element 10 of the new Midtown Tunnel is immersed and placed in the Elizabeth River. July 15, 2015: Element 11, the final element making up the new Midtown Tunnel, is immersed and placed in the Elizabeth River. Downtown Tunnel (DTT) Midtown Tunnel (MTT) Martin Luther King Extension (MLK) 2015 Annual Report 5

8 I-264 Downtown Tunnel Rehabilitation Rehabilitation of the I-264 Downtown Tunnel made significant progress this year with the addition of fireproofing on the ceiling and walls, brighter, more energy-efficient LED lighting to replace the old lighting system and 16 new state-of-the-art jet fans to help with smoke ventilation in the event of a fire. Most notably, crews installed an updated Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) in both tunnels. When Project construction is complete, this new system will link all four tubes of the Elizabeth River Tunnels together. The ITS system features closed-circuit cameras with Automated Incident Detection (AID) capabilities to expedite incident response, updated lane use signals above the roadway, and Dynamic Message Signs (DMS) inside the tunnel. Two separate tunnel control rooms with traffic monitoring equipment from the 1980s will be combined into one integrated ERT Transportation Operations Center (TOC) for both the Downtown and Midtown tunnels. This state of the art control room will monitor and control all field devices using a large monitor wall capable of displaying 44 separate video feeds from more than 100 cameras. The new AID system alerts control room personnel to situations that may require immediate response for instance, pedestrians on the roadway, debris, inverse traffic, or stopped vehicles. This system will work with VDOT s regional ITS systems and will help to reduce the amount of time it takes control room personnel to identify potentially life-threatening situations. Additionally, the rehabilitated tunnels will include environmental controls, including an Air Quality Management System (AQMS) that monitors and controls the recently installed jet fans. During spring rehabilitation activities, ERC opted to repave the eastbound and westbound tubes of the Downtown Tunnel; the asphalt is estimated to withstand up to 15 years of use. Downtown Tunnel rehabilitation will conclude in mid Left: New dynamic message signs and updated lane use signals placed above the roadway alert drivers to real-time traffic conditions. Center: In the spring, crews repaved the eastbound and westbound tubes. Right: 16 jet fans line the ceiling of the eastbound and westbound tubes for smoke ventilation. 6 Elizabeth River Tunnels

9 Martin Luther King Extension Construction This year, Portsmouth s skyline has noticeably transformed with the progress on the raised Martin Luther King Freeway (MLK) Extension. This portion of the ERT Project extends the MLK Freeway from London Boulevard to Interstate 264 (I-264). The mile-long roadway will be elevated in places more than 50 feet above sea level over railroads, interstate highways, city streets and neighborhoods to provide swift traffic movement between the Midtown and Downtown tunnels and also avoid disruptions of local activities. The work on the MLK Extension will also widen I-264 near Frederick Boulevard, replace the pedestrian bridge spanning over I-264 and feature changeable message signs to improve its ability to communicate traffic conditions to motorists. In October 2014, the London Boulevard South off-ramp from U.S. 58 West reopened after a 10-month closure. During the closure, crews widened and regraded the ramp so it would fit the new configuration of the future MLK Extension. A few months later, a portion of Harbor Drive in Portsmouth, from London Boulevard to Portsmouth Boulevard, was permanently closed to relocate public utilities and to make way for the new elevated roadway of the MLK Extension. The new extension will include nine ramps four interchanges with I-264, two ramps at High Street, two ramps at London Boulevard, one ramp at Frederick Boulevard and the mainline. In July 2015, Governor Terry McAuliffe announced an agreement with ERC and VDOT, amending the Project s Comprehensive Agreement to eliminate tolls on the MLK Extension. ERC also committed to providing $5 million over 10 years to a toll assistance charitable organization for low income motorists. The first $500,000 contribution will be made in January In the spring, steel girders were placed across I-264, which required full nightly closures of the interstate. The girders provide structural support for the ramp that will ultimately carry traffic from the MLK Extension to I-264 West. In the summer, the first concrete deck pour took place near Frederick Boulevard. The MLK Extension remains on schedule for completion by the end of Right: In March, the first steel girders were placed over Interstate 264 in Portsmouth Annual Report 7

10 U.S. 58 Midtown Tunnel Construction The ERT Project team has reached significant construction milestones on the new U.S. 58 Midtown Tunnel over the past year. Following the float-out of the first six elements from Sparrows Point, Maryland to Portsmouth, Virginia in June 2014, crews began the placement and immersion of each element. This process required use of a lay barge a large, specially-designed pontoonstyle boat to move each 16,000-ton element into position in the Elizabeth River and lower it to the prepared river bed. Following the first float out, the Project team at Sparrows Point immediately began fabricating the remaining five tunnel elements. In March 2015, the dry dock was once again flooded for the completed elements to begin their 200-mile journey to the Portsmouth Project site. The first element was placed in October In March 2015, the ERT Project reached a major milestone when Element 6 of 11 was immersed, officially marking the halfway point of the new tunnel s placement and the deepest point of the tube. Elements 5-7 were placed in the Federal Channel of the Elizabeth River, requiring multiple marine notices and special precautions such as adding armor stone backfill to protect the tunnel from ship anchors. On July 14, 2015, the final element was lowered and placed linking the cities of Norfolk and Portsmouth below the Elizabeth River. Work on the Portsmouth and Norfolk approaches that will accommodate the new Midtown Tunnel also made some significant headway this year. Most notably, crews completed waterproofing the Portsmouth Boat Section, which will carry motorists through the entrance of the new tunnel. Construction also began on the new tunnel support buildings at each approach, which will house communications, electrical and mechanical equipment and a new storm drainage system. 8 Elizabeth River Tunnels

11 Above: The lay barge, pictured above, is used to place and immerse the tunnel elements. Far left: Elements 7-11 are in the flooded Sparrows Point dry dock before beginning the journey to Hampton Roads. Center left: Crews begin to immerse a tunnel element in the Elizabeth River. Near left: The Portsmouth Boat Section begins to take shape. Inside the new Midtown Tunnel, crews began outfitting each of the elements interiors as they were placed. The interior work involves installing fireproofing, lighting, electrical wiring and mechanical equipment. Innovative safety features, including video monitoring, fire sensors and jet fans are being implemented in the new tunnel in response to input from local police, firefighters and first responders. One of the critical parts of the interior outfitting involves the immersion joint the connection between the elements. The immersion joint work requires several steps to complete after the element is immersed and the joint is dewatered. Once the joints are in place, crews can remove bulkheads (the waterproof barriers found at the end of each tunnel element). Next, cover plates are installed over the seals to protect them from the concrete that will be poured into each immersion joint. The final step includes the placement of structural steel and concrete in the void between the elements. The new U.S. 58 Midtown Tunnel is scheduled for completion in December 2016, ultimately increasing capacity and reducing congestion for the highly traveled route across the Elizabeth River. It will carry westbound traffic from Norfolk to Portsmouth. The existing Midtown Tunnel will be converted to carry eastbound traffic from Portsmouth to Norfolk Annual Report 9

12 SKW in the Community 2015 Design-Build Update SKW Constructors, JV (SKW) the joint venture of Skanska, Kiewit and Weeks Marine serves as the design-build contractor for the ERT Project. Over the past year, Elizabeth River Crossing s (ERC) partner has received a number of awards and recognition for their green initiatives, and has led important community outreach efforts in the Hampton Roads region. Recognition & Awards SKW was recognized for multiple efforts in environmental stewardship this year. The Virginia Department of Environmental Quality (VDEQ) selected SKW for the Virginia Environmental Excellence Program (VEEP) Award. As an E4 Level Award recipient, SKW achieved the highest level of recognition from VDEQ on the facility-based track for promoting the use of environmental management systems and pollution prevention. SKW was also awarded the Virginia Governor s Environmental Excellence Award and the Elizabeth River Project s Bronze River Star Award. SKW gained exposure for leadership in the construction industry and was featured in a number of influential industry trade journals throughout the year, including Concrete Construction, World Tunneling, Concrete Producer, EcoBuilding Pulse, Precast Solutions and TBM Magazine. The group received the Outstanding Project Special Recognition Award from the Deep Foundation Institute and shared the honor with Elizabeth River Tunnels (ERT) as the #1 Highway Project of 2014 by Roads and Bridges, the leading industry magazine covering transportation infrastructure construction and maintenance. As the most significant infrastructure project in the region, the ERT Project team welcomed numerous civic groups, business and professional organizations, students, government groups, media representatives and other key stakeholders onsite for Project briefings and construction tours. SKW led or assisted with site visits, presentations and tours for nearly 1000 visitors between July 2014 and June Below left: Last May, over 80 Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, and Scout Leaders from local scouting units visited the SKW HUB and Midtown Tunnel project site. Below right: Keith Boisvert, an environmental specialist with the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality, presents the Virginia Environmental Excellence Program (VEEP) plaque and flag to SKW Constructors, designating the company as an Extraordinary Environmental Enterprise level participant on the Elizabeth River Tunnels Project. 10 Elizabeth River Tunnels

13 Economic Development Local economic development has been a priority for SKW since the ERT Project began. Over 500 direct jobs and more than 1,000 indirect jobs are currently active on the Project. At least 40 percent of these jobs have been awarded to Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) and Small, Women, and Minority-owned (SWaM) businesses, highlighting SKW s effort to positively impact a wide range of local residents and businesses. On-the-Job training became a large focus for SKW this year. The SKW On-the-Job Training (OJT) Program, which operates year-round, offers apprenticeship and training programs for a wide range of positions in an effort to move veterans, women, minorities and economically disadvantaged individuals into journey-level positions. The program ensures a competent workforce is ready to meet local construction needs. Between July 2014 and June 2015, 29 employees graduated from the SKW OJT Program. Community Outreach SKW strives to give back and serve the communities surrounding the Project through a number of local charity events and efforts, supporting causes ranging from STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) education to food drives. The group sponsored a Scouting the Midtown Tunnel event in the spring, which included a Project site tour for 80 scouts and leaders in addition to a merit badge event centered on STEM education. SKW also held food, toy and financial resource drives, collecting and donating over 500 pounds of food to the Foodbank of Southeastern Virginia, Portsmouth Area Resources Coalition and Oasis Social Ministry, and distributing more than $20,000 in toys, money and gifts-in-kind to Edmarc Hospice for Children, the Wounded Warriors Project, Ronald McDonald House, Toys-for-Tots and Children s Hospital of the Kings Daughters. In June 2015, over 60 SKW employees and family members participated in the annual Chesapeake Bay Clean the Bay Day. Above: Melvin Lowe holds his certificate proudly after completing On-the-Job Training in December Left: Rob Gianna (Project Manager, SKW Marine Group) and his son participated in the annual Clean the Bay Day in June Annual Report 11

14 The ERT Project: Sharing the Rest of the Story Outward signs of progress are evident throughout the ERT Project area, from the new tunnel approaches to the new MLK flyover ramp over I-264. But less obvious to the naked eye are the many positive economic and community impacts the ERT Project brings to Hampton Roads. To illuminate these benefits, the Project team engaged a plan to share the rest of the story. This was done in a two-phased approach using owned, shared and earned media and also incorporating radio, television, print and online platforms. The campaign s purpose was to highlight the economic growth, jobs and community involvement brought about by the ERT Project and the partners making it possible. Real People. Real Facts. (December 29-January 25) In this first phase of the campaign, we asked Hampton Roads community members residents, first responders, community leaders and local business owners to share in their own words the benefits they ve seen or experienced from the ERT Project. Our volunteers touched on a variety of topics including: jobs and small business impacts, better mobility in Hampton Roads, E-ZPass, and ERC s community outreach and incident response coordination with first responders. 12 Elizabeth River Tunnels

15 Did you know? E-ZPass is the easiest way to use the Downtown and Midtown tunnels. Did you know? It s about improving travel in Hampton Roads. I m Jimmy Ray, and facts make a difference. Turns out the tolls at the Downtown and Midtown tunnels go towards the maintenance and upkeep of the existing tunnels. They also pay for the construction of the new Midtown Tunnel, which will create an additional two lanes of roadway connecting Norfolk and Portsmouth. Sounds like an easier drive for me and my new friends, the Herman family. Did you know? -The Herman family, at Town Point Park Tolls in Norfolk with Jimmy also Ray pay for tunnel operations and maintenance. Visit DriveERT.com to learn more About the Project. Facts make a difference. Click here for more information on E-ZPass auto-replenishment. Did you know? It s about bringing jobs to Hampton Roads. I m Jimmy Ray, and facts make a difference. Turns out that there are over 750 people directly employed on the ERT Project in Hampton Roads. Plus, over $300 million is going to small, women and minority owned firms working on the Project, so they re also helping small businesses grow and improve the economy. A strong economy is important to me and my friend, Mark here. It s a smart investment. Facts make a difference. Click here for more. -Mark W. in front of MacArthur Center in Norfolk with Jimmy Ray Visit DriveERT.com to learn more About the Project. Did You Know? (May 26-June 21; September 20-October 18) Our Did you Know? campaign kicked off in spring 2015, initially with radio, online and outdoor media and later adding television, print and transit ads in the fall. With the fall phase of the campaign we enlisted the help of local radio and television celebrity Jimmy Ray Dunn. Dunn was selected not only for his popularity in Hampton Roads, but because he himself had frequently questioned various facets of the ERT Project on his popular morning radio program. Once Dunn was armed with the facts, he took to the streets of Norfolk and Portsmouth to share the news with everyone he encountered. Topics included the Project s annual subsidy to HRT for increased toll-free travel options, safety improvements at the existing tunnels, local job creation and customer service Annual Report 13

16 ERT Customer Service Center The ERT Customer Service Center in Portsmouth continued providing excellent customer service support to its patrons this year. From August 2014 to July 2015, the center received over 30,000 calls per month and made an additional 25,000 outbound calls responding to customers. In addition to calls and walk-ins, customers also used other channels to contact the center, with nearly 50,000 separate contacts received via website, , letter and fax. As customer demand increased, the ERT Customer Service Center responded by increasing staff to minimize wait and response times. Over 100 employees staff the local Customer Service Center at the front desk and back office to assist Pay by Plate customers with their accounts, invoices and notices. The center remains an E-ZPass On-the-Go retailer, and customer service representatives continue encouraging customers to switch their accounts from Pay by Plate to E-ZPass to pay the lowest toll rates. In fact, throughout the year, all Pay by Plate customers who called the center were offered a one-time fee reduction on current invoices if they switched to E-ZPass. Between July 2014 and July 2015, 1,466 E-ZPass On-the-Go Kits were distributed from the ERT Customer Service Center location. 14 Elizabeth River Tunnels

17 A New Look for DriveERT.com When the new DriveERT.com website launched in June 2015, visitors were introduced to a brand new look for the Elizabeth River Tunnels (ERT) Project. Since the website functions as a Project information source and serves Pay by Plate customers for invoice payment, the Project team redesigned the site with plenty of new features to enhance both online users experiences. The cleaner interface easily translates to a seamless mobile-optimized platform, allowing visitors the option to pay their Pay by Plate invoices directly from their hand-held devices. New navigation menus and a quick-link side menu provide organized and quick access to general information, toll rates, construction impacts, traffic advisories, a Pay by Plate payment portal and much more. The website is also intended to serve as a travel resource for motorists. New features like the toll rate calculator, live traffic map and downloadable travel impacts calendar are accessible from the homepage. Motorists are encouraged to view the site before traveling and to use the new toll rate calculator for estimating toll costs. The toll rate calculator can be configured for E-ZPass and Pay by Plate users and even factors in rates for peak and non-peak hours and the type of vehicle. The live traffic map on the homepage displays real-time traffic on the ERT roadways, and the Travel Impacts page boasts a calendar with closures that can be downloaded to personal Outlook and Google calendars for easy reference. Other notable features include direct contact forms for the Customer Service Center and general Project information, a variable alert bar at the top of the homepage used to communicate breaking news, updated FAQs, brand new construction pages and an interactive Pay by Plate invoice Annual Report 15

18 Charitable Giving This year, Elizabeth River Crossings (ERC) and its employees have continued and increased their commitment to giving back to the Hampton Roads community. ERC aims to make a positive contribution to the community it serves by supporting outreach activities in four focus areas: youth development, education, health and wellness and the environment. Throughout the year, ERC supported community organizations through charitable donations, sponsorships, employee volunteering and more. Top: ERT supports the H.E.R. Shelter s new employment program Sweet Haven Baked Goods. Bottom: The Maury HS winner of ERC s Good Citizen Scholarship poses with her $1,500 award, alongside family and school officials. Youth Development ERC actively supports youth development programs through grassroots Hampton Roads organizations like ForKids in Norfolk. ForKids is a local nonprofit organization working to break the cycle of homelessness through education programs and other support and outreach. ForKids works daily with up to 175 local families to ensure they have a safe place to live while gaining essential skills and working towards self-sufficiency. More than 300 children are also served through ForKids mentoring, tutoring and coaching programs. ERC has supported ForKids in numerous ways since 2012 this year, efforts included sponsoring the organization s Jump Start summer tutoring program and Adopt a Room programs. Adopt a Room supports ForKids Haven House, which houses up to eight families at a time as they transition to more permanent housing facilities. Adopt a Room has provided ERC employees with the opportunity to be more directly involved. In fact, several employees joined together to shop for, refurbish and redecorate a room in Haven House, launching ERC s one-year commitment to cover all costs of the space. ERC employees also continue to host an annual toy drive to provide children in the ForKids program with holiday cheer. 16 Elizabeth River Tunnels

19 Education In 2015, ERC continued their Good Citizen Scholarship program to award $1,500 to one graduating senior at each of the Norfolk and Portsmouth high schools. Award winners were selected for their work in the community and from strong recommendations from teachers, community leaders and advisors. Additionally in 2015, ERC partnered with the Urban League of Hampton Roads to support the National Urban League Incentives to Excel & Succeed (NULITES) initiative, which provides opportunities for youth personal and leadership development, and Project GEAR UP!, a college and career preparation program. Other education programs receiving financial support from ERC in 2015 include Portsmouth Public Schools STEM program, Starbase Victory and the Innovator Grant programs for both the Portsmouth Schools Foundation and the Norfolk Education Foundation. Health and Wellness The City of Portsmouth and ERC co-sponsored the Adventures with Clifford the Big Red Dog exhibit at the Children s Museum of Virginia, helping to reinforce the universal social, emotional and moral messages Clifford teaches to young children through a love of reading. Team ERC also sponsored and participated in the inaugural Bunny Hop 5K to Benefit the Portsmouth Museums Foundation in support of the Children s Museum of Virginia, as well as the Children s Hospital of the King s Daughters RunWalk for the Kids and the American Cancer Society s Portsmouth Relay for Life. While ERC has participated in both fundraisers previously, employees were particularly excited to celebrate the 10th Anniversary of the RunWalk event. ERT also supports the H.E.R. Shelter, whose employment program trains survivors of domestic violence and homelessness in the areas of food handling, kitchen management, budgeting, baking, and cake decorating, giving them a competitive edge and a marketable skill. Environment ERC is an ardent supporter of environmental preservation in the Hampton Roads community, not only through its own green business practices but also through support of local agencies with like-minded missions such as the Hoffler Creek Wildlife Foundation. ERC s support of Hoffler Creek helps the foundation in its mission to conserve the 142-acre Hoffler Creek Wildlife Preserve for environmental education, research and recreation consistent with good stewardship. The Wildlife Preserve is the last parcel of wilderness in the Hoffler Creek watershed, acting as a connection between the mouth of the James River, the Chesapeake Bay and the safe harbor of Hampton Roads. Portsmouth citizens were charged with management of the property when the city accepted ownership of the land in the 1990s, and the Foundation was formed to fulfill the task. It is important to citizens of Portsmouth that this area receives adequate care, and donations from organizations like ERC help support the Foundation and its mission to maintain the wilderness space. ERC provides financial support for preserve activities, including kayaking and trail maintenance for the more than 8,000 people who visit the park each year. Additionally, Marina Liacouras, ERC General Counsel, volunteers as a member of the Board of Directors of the Wildlife Foundation. Liacouras joins other community members on the Board to ensure the goals of the foundation are being met. Near right: ERC participated in the Bunny Hop 5K to Benefit the Portsmouth Museums Foundation in Support of the Children s Museum of Virginia Far right: 10th Anniversary Children s Hospital of the King s Daughters RunWalk for the Kids Annual Report 17

20 Safety Week/Award Winners This year marked the third annual Elizabeth River Crossings Safety Week, which highlights ERC s commitment to protecting the health and safety of all workers on the Project, as well as motorists who use the Elizabeth River Tunnels. For the 2015 safety slogan contest, the ERC Safety Committee requested submissions from staff based on the theme of ERC community members taking care of one another. The winning slogan? If you re not safety conscious, you could end up un-conscious. So think about it! The 2015 Safety Week included a wide range of training courses and educational programs to help broaden employee knowledge of important safety and health issues in the work place. Trainings included information on how to recognize, avoid and prevent hazards on the work site whether that s within a construction zone, in an office or out on the road. ERC O&M employees also had the opportunity to explore the tunnel elements for the new Midtown Tunnel and see firsthand the progress of ongoing construction activities. Tidewater Express, Inc. was at ERC Headquarters in Portsmouth during the week to demonstrate its New Century ton Rotator Wrecker a machine custom-built for the Project that quickly removes large format vehicles from ERT response areas. Tidewater Express provides the Downtown and Midtown tunnels with 24-hour wrecker services and supports VDOT with emergency response efforts for other area bridges and tunnels. Throughout the year, the ERC Safety Committee recognizes nominated employees with the Gold Key Award, which highlights and raises awareness for ERC s longstanding commitment to safety. These employees are commended for their efforts and actions that keep the workplace and other coworkers safe. Since the beginning of the program, over 10 employees have been awarded the Gold Key. Top: Micah Ware holds up ERC s new safety slogan for the year. Middle: Tidewater Express brought its New Century ton Rotator Wrecker to ERC Safety Week. Bottom: ERC Staff learn more about training and educational opportunities related to workplace safety. 18 Elizabeth River Tunnels

21 Employee of the Quarter ERC applauds its team s commitment to excellence and honors those who go above and beyond expectations through the Employee of the Quarter recognition program. Each quarter, the ERC Employee Recognition Committee, which is comprised of representatives from all departments, meets to review and vote on nominees. Nominations are submitted by other ERC employees, supervisors, vendors and even the customers ERC serves. Winners are selected by vote and recognized in a luncheon ceremony to acknowledge and celebrate their hard work and commitment to the ERC team. Employees may be nominated under any of the following categories: Job Excellence Leadership Customer Service Teamwork Innovation/Creativity Environmental Stewardship ERC congratulates Employee of the Quarter winners for : Control Room Supervisor Ezra Jennings and Traffic Controller Leonard Tatem were the Employees of the Quarter for the third quarter of Both were recognized after a motorist called in to express appreciation for their assistance during an incident on the roadway. The motorist stated that the two assisted his family by transporting them to a secure location and provided excellent customer service. Mechanic Rusty Parham was Employee of the Quarter for the fourth quarter of Rusty was recognized for his innovative designs and creations that are extremely beneficial to the maintenance team and a tremendous cost savings to ERC. He designed, fabricated and placed new brackets to firmly secure the spreader onto a dump truck. Patroller Carl Carr was Employee of the Quarter for the first quarter of Carl s ability to remain professional and lead those around him has been of great assistance to fellow patrollers. He is recognized for his quick decision making and sound judgment within the station and with customers. His efforts during the winter months were especially commended during snow operation events, Carl remained outside the inspection booth when the over-height detection equipment was down, and flagging operations were conducted to ensure trucks were checked prior to entering the tunnel. Maintenance Inspector Mark McMullen was Employee of the Quarter for the second quarter of Mark is recognized for the exceptional quality of service he provides and attention to detail to everyone around him. Mark has worked many different shifts, hours and unscheduled work days to meet deadlines without any complaints. Below, from left to right: Employees of the Quarter : Leonard Tatem and Ezra Jennings; Rusty Parham; Carl Carr; Mark McMullen 2015 Annual Report 19

22 ERC in the Community Above: ERC recognizes COO Bruce Wilkerson for his many years of transportation service at his retirement ceremony in Right: ERC staff celebrate the end of 2014 at the annual ERC Holiday Party in December Bottom: The Project team hosts local media to commemorate the placement of the final tunnel element that will make up the new Midtown Tunnel. 20 Elizabeth River Tunnels

23 Far left: ERC dons safety orange in support of National Work Zone Awareness Week in March Left: The Project team speaks to the public about E-ZPass, Pay by Plate and the ERT Project at a Norfolk Tides game in July Right: ERC celebrates its third O&M anniversary with its over 120 employees during a Country Jamboree -themed afternoon filled with food, prizes and fellowship in July Bottom left: ERC CEO Greg Woodsmall speaks in support of the partnership between ERC and Edmarc Hospice for Children at the Annual Edmarc Hospice for Children Charity Golf Classic in August Bottom right: ERC staff support and participate in Port Norfolk s Boo Yah! 5K in Portsmouth in October Annual Report 21

24 Operated by ERT-ROAD A partner of