Nov., 2011 Update
Posted 2 months ago
Overview
This is an update on the status of the
Remaining site work on the
The Design Builder and ODOT are in dispute over responsibility for the cost of the additional engineering and construction, and the delay to the project associated with the failed landslide mitigation.
Procurement / Delivery Method:
ODOT determined that this project should be delivered as a Design-Build project, an approach where the contractor provides both the engineer to design the project as well as the construction contractor to build the project.
The Design Build contract was awarded to Yaquina River Constructors (Granite Construction).
New Developments
- The Design Builder is proposing design concepts at the four locations where the landslide mitigation has failed that move toward fewer or no bridges built at the four landslide locations.
- ODOT ‘s goal is to find solutions and resume construction in 2012
- The Dispute Review Board has issued a recommendation in the dispute between the Design Builder and ODOT.
- Updated information has been developed on the status of four bridge locations.
Bridge Location Update
In February, 2010, the Design Builder notified ODOT that bridge columns at the Eddy B and Cougar Creek locations had moved out of plumb.
Additional monitoring by the Design Builder found ground movement in the landslide areas of all four bridge locations: Eddy C, Eddy B,
These four locations were the focus of significant landslide mitigation work added to the contract in 2008, including the construction of large buttresses and shear keys at the bottom of the slopes to hold the four slides in place. The mitigation has failed.
Current Status
Eddy C
The Design Builder has determined that the $7.4 million completed bridge at this location has been compromised by continued landslide activity. Its future remains undetermined. Action has been taken to relieve stress caused by the landslide movement on the bridge foundations.
Eddy B
In March of 2010, the Design Builder demolished the bridge columns that had moved out of plumb. Piles were driven around the drilled shafts and a foundation was constructed in anticipation of erecting new columns. No work has taken place at this location since then.
While ground movement has been monitored at
Cougar Creek
The Design Builder recommends the removal of Cougar Bridge Bent 4 that was found to be out of plumb in February, 2010. No action to remove the bent has yet been taken. No other work has taken place at this location since the discovery of out of plumb columns in February 2010.
Completing the Project
ODOT, along with the Design Builder, continues to monitor and assess landslide activity within the project boundaries.
In October, 2011, the Design Builder informed ODOT that their engineers do not support pursuing the construction of bridges at the four locations where landslide activity continues.
Eliminating the four bridges would require significant changes in alignment and profile to enable the roadway construction through the four creek drainages rather than traveling on bridges above the drainages.
ODOT is encouraging the Design Builder to provide more details on this concept so that discussions can begin with the environmental agencies to learn how this impacts our permits.
ODOT’s goal is for solutions to be determined and on-site work to be resumed in the 2012 work season.
Design Builder/ODOT Dispute
The Design Builder and ODOT are in dispute over responsibility for the cost of the additional engineering and construction, and the delay to the project associated with the failed landslide mitigation.
ODOT’s belief is that this is a design-build contract and the Design Builder is responsible for the design. The Design Builder performed the engineering and design, and the Design Builder constructed the mitigation work. The Design Builder remains responsible for the successful completion of the project.
The Contract allows a dispute to be presented to a Dispute Review Board (DRB) for a non-binding recommendation of resolution prior to the Design Builder pursuing a claim. The Contract states that if either Party does not accept the DRB’s recommendation, the Design Builder may pursue a claim according to the terms of the contract.
The landslide mitigation failure issue was presented to the DRB in July of 2011. The Dispute Review Board has issued a non-binding recommendation in the dispute between the Design Builder and ODOT. ODOT has chosen not to accept the recommendation. The Design Builder now has the right to pursue a claim under the terms of the contract.
Overall Project Status
The new roadway is paved from the easterly end of the project into the Eddy ‘C’ Bridge, and from the westerly end of the new alignment into the Cougar Creek location.
Project bridges that are completed and unaffected by the landslide activity are: Little Elk Creek Bridge,
The project is essentially complete except for the middle segment containing the four bridges.
ODOT anticipates two construction seasons of work will be necessary to complete the project, once the final solution is designed.
Project Budget
The original construction allocation was $140,185,000
Since then, there have been four additional allocations approved by the Oregon Transportation Commission
:
- 9/10/08 for $64,995,101
- 2/27/09 for $4,800,527
- 1/14/10 for $5,300,000
- 9/8/10 for $1,744,238
The current TOTAL construction allocation (Original and subsequent allocations) is $217,024,866.
The current construction expenditures total $194,647,146.
That leaves $22,377,720 remaining for construction.
In addition, there have been the following expenditures:
- Preliminary Engineering-$7,353,034
- Right of Way-$5,928,184
- Utilities-$197,422
The total expenditures for the project currently stand at $208,125,786
