Gas-n-Shop Corporation wanted to build Nebraska’s first combination fueling center-convenience store- McDonald’s restaurant at the busy intersection of Sun Valley and West “O” in Lincoln. But there were some issues identified by BD Construction that needed to be resolved prior to becoming problems.
First, the site was surrounded by environmentally sensitive saline wetlands. Second, in order to build, serious remedial soil stabilization would be required. Third, the City of Lincoln required that the entire intersection had to be reconfigured and a provision made for Sun Valley Boulevard to continue through the site. And fourth, before the final sign off, the McDonald’s Corporation, McDonald’s franchisee, Gas-n-Shop Corporation, Nebraska Department of Environmental Quality, Lower Platte South NRD, State Fire Marshal and the City of Lincoln all had to be satisfied.
The south side of West “O” Street in Lincoln had been used for years as a place to dump fill, and when it came time to build, significant grading, over-excavation and re-compaction by BD was needed to bring it up to acceptable building specifications. In addition, storm water pollution prevention and flood plain issues had to be worked through with their respective agencies.
Redirecting traffic flow at the intersection included the construction of new turn lanes and the addition of signs and signals. However, to minimize traffic disruption, the City of Lincoln required that all work be done at off-peak hours, necessitating scheduling of construction at night and on weekends.
The design and construction of a major fueling enterprise to operate alongside a C-store and fast-food restaurant with a drive-thru is a complex logistical undertaking, requiring oversight and buy-off by numerous corporate and governmental entities. It took BD’s open-book accounting and commitment to communication – combined with patience born of long experience – to make it happen.