January 31, 2014
Innovation of the Month: Design-Build
State highway agencies are using the design-build project delivery method to accelerate delivery, lower costs and improve quality on projects. Design-build allows the design and construction phases of a project to be combined in one contract.
Examples from across the country show how design-build is helping highway agencies deliver projects faster while enhancing the nation’s infrastructure:
- The Utah Department of Transportation used design-build and other innovative techniques on its $1.7 billion I-15 Corridor Expansion project, finishing two years ahead of schedule while saving taxpayers $260 million.
- Design-build helped the Missouri Department of Transportation complete its $685 million Safe and Sound Bridge Improvement Program more than a year ahead of schedule. About 550 of the more than 800 bridges were completed under a design-build contract.
- Combining design-build with accelerated bridge construction helped the Massachusetts Department of Transportation shrink a four-year bridge project to just one summer. The $98 million 93 Fast 14 project replaced 14 deteriorated superstructures along I-93.
This video shows how innovation was used on the Massachusetts project.
Arizona Summit Focuses on Rural Transportation
Locally administered Federal-Aid projects were among the topics FHWA representatives discussed with participants at the Arizona Rural Transportation Summit in Prescott, Ariz., on January 15. Local legislators, local public agency officials, contractors and consultants joined Arizona Department of Transportation and FHWA staff at the event. FHWA presenters also spoke about innovation deployment and the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act.
Oklahoma Managers Learn About Emergency Programs
The Federal Highway Administration presented national traffic incident management responder training and Emergency Relief Program overviews at the Custer County Local Emergency Planning Committee meeting in Clinton, Okla., on January 15. Fifteen emergency managers representing fire, police and emergency medical services; Oklahoma State University; the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service; and the private sector attended the meeting. FHWA speakers emphasized the multidisciplinary aspects of effective traffic incident management and noted how local officials can request training from the Oklahoma Highway Patrol.