Best Practice

BEST PRACTICE:

E1−12: Contractor Hired by Design Consultant to Perform Constructability Review

DESCRIPTION:

In January 1997, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) awarded a consultant contract to provide design services for the reconstruction of the James River Bridge carrying I−95 through downtown Richmond. As part of this contract a local construction contractor was hired to review construction alternatives for feasibility, cost, and timing.

REASON(S) FOR ADOPTING:

The replacement of the James River Bridge was a high visibility project with high traffic volumes. Involving a representative of the construction industry at the design phase helped eliminate problems during the construction phase.

PRIMARY BENEFIT(S):

This construction contract included several uncommon provisions including strict limits on impacts to traffic requiring innovative construction practices, staged construction with completion dates for each phase and A+B bidding. Having a construction contractor on−board has assisted the design consultant and VDOT in developing a project that was feasible to construct and financially responsible.

MOST APPLICABLE LOCATION(S)/PROJECT(S):

Any project requiring innovative construction techniques or major traffic impacts.

STATE(S) WHERE UTILIZED:

Virginia

SOURCE/CONTACT(S):

Frank Gee, State Construction Engineer, Virginia DOT
Telephone: (804) 786−2785
E−mail: gee_cf@vdot.state.va.us