| OTIA III State Bridge Delivery Program |
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| Web Brief (Jan 08) |
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Extraordinary bridge calls for an extraordinary delivery method
Alternative delivery method selected for the new Willamette River Bridge is a first for ODOT
Extraordinary projects call for extraordinary delivery methods, and the Willamette River Bridge, the single largest project on the OTIA III State Bridge Program, certainly falls within that category. In addition to its large contract value, structural girth and prominent location, the sheer variety of creatures and people potentially affected by work on this project—among them chub fish, salmon, trout, squirrels, chipmunks, nutria and herons, as well as bikers, hikers, boaters, travelers, truck drivers and train engineers—will make both the design and construction challenging and incredibly important.
To deal with these complexities, ODOT is turning for the first time to a little-known but highly effective construction technique called construction manager/general contractor, or CM/GC.
Previously, ODOT used either the design-bid-build or the design-build delivery methods for infrastructure projects. Design-bid-build is the more traditional of the two: ODOT designs the bridge, and then a contractor bids for the job and builds the bridge. Design-build, a newer delivery method in our arsenal, changes it up a bit. Right from the outset, a bridge designer and a bridge builder pair up to bid on the project. They then design and build the bridge together, with ODOT acting as a referee
CM/GC combines aspects of both methods. As in design-bid-build, there is a bridge designer and a bridge builder, both of whom have to bid on the project individually. However, similar to design-build, once ODOT chooses the bridge designer and bridge builder, they partner together and with the agency to create the bridge. The early involvement of the agency, the designer and the builder saves time and money since construction can begin before design is complete. ODOT also maintains direct control over design and construction, an absolute necessity for a project such as the Willamette River Bridge.
“The CM/GC model allows ODOT to have significant input and control throughout the project,” said Jim Cox, assistant branch manager in ODOT’s Major Projects Branch. “All three parties—ODOT, the designer and the contractor—work together to address problems and opportunities efficiently.”
Built in 1962, the current Willamette River Bridge spans Oregon’s primary north-south river and stretches almost a third of a mile. It‘s no longer structurally sound enough to support the heavier freight and increased traffic of the 21st century, and needs to be replaced with a stronger, more substantial structure. Yet the bridge also provides shade for several species of wildlife and covers part of a canoeing route; a much-used running, biking and hiking path; a rail line; a woodland park; and another roadway frequently used by locals.
This mosaic of stakeholders allows ODOT to capitalize on another benefit of the CM/GC method: making the Willamette River Bridge project as sensitive to the local community and environment as possible—a bridge program goal. Because ODOT, the bridge designer and the bridge builder all work closely together from the start, they can quickly incorporate information from public involvement and stakeholder meetings into bridge development.
“It’s the biggest project in the OTIA III bridge program, in terms of both size and investment,” said Tom Lauer, manager of ODOT’s Major Projects Branch. “There’s a great deal of public interest, and the CM/GC model gives us an excellent opportunity to address that interest.”
Most Oregonians probably aren’t aware of other examples of the CM/GC delivery method already in the state. The State Library in Salem, Autzen Stadium at the University of Oregon, the Portland International Airport’s new concourse and even a few of the recent upscale, high-rise buildings in downtown Portland were all built using this delivery method. For many people—especially book worms, Oregon Ducks fans, international travelers and urbanites—these are the landmark structures that make them proud to call Oregon home.
The successful application of the CM/GC delivery method on the Willamette River Bridge will create yet another source of pride for us: a beautiful and structurally sound bridge that compliments and supports its natural surroundings.
Planning and public review of the project are under way, with construction scheduled to begin in early 2010.
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