Effective Timelines and Contractual Strategies for Accelerated Bridge Construction Projects

State departments of transportation (DOTs) strive to minimize the impact of construction activities on the traveling public and commerce. Contractual provisions and methods such as incentives/disincentives (I/D), payment for acceleration, bonuses, liquidated damages (LD), and cost-plus time (A+B) procurement have been used for conventional construction projects to promote meeting project schedule targets. In addition, accelerated bridge construction (ABC) methods can greatly compress the closure time required during bridge construction. Generally, ABC minimizes the overall construction window or minimizes the out-of-service time of the facility. Shorter onsite construction schedules reduce mobility impacts and improve safety; however, there is potential for risks related to accelerated schedule. Generally, ABC techniques alleviate significant user costs; however, these technologies may have significant project costs that are difficult to accommodate within limited owner construction budgets. For example, the use of self-propelled modular transports (SPMT) could significantly increase the construction cost of a project. Research is needed to help DOTs identify practical goals for project schedules, effectively use contractual strategies, and better understand schedule risks associated with ABC projects. The objective of this project is to provide contractual guidance for ABC project development considering the design-bid-build project delivery method. At a minimum, the research shall identify: Types of construction contractual provisions such as I/D, bonuses, LD, A+B, etc.; Appropriate values for the identified contractual provisions such as the amount of money assigned for each day/hour saved or added; Associated closure timeframes (partial or full; continuous or intermittent); and The risks of accelerated timelines, and how those risks are addressed.

• Record URL:
  http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=5330
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Contract to a Performing Organization has not yet been awarded.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $275000
• Contract Numbers:

  Project 10-118

• Sponsor Organizations:

  National Cooperative Highway Research Program

  Transportation Research Board
  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

  444 North Capitol Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Project Managers:

  Abu-Hawash, Ahmad

• Start Date: 20240701
• Expected Completion Date: 20251231
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accelerated bridge construction; Construction scheduling; Contract administration; Contracts; State departments of transportation
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Bridges and other structures; Construction; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01846774
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: Project 10-118
• Files: TRB, RIP
• Created Date: May 24 2022 7:13PM