DESPERATE NEED TO SLASH CONSTRUCTION COSTS OF NEW SUBWAYS

Subways and subway stations cost far too much to build in the U.S. Whereas Londoners recently built 3-1/2 miles of subways and subway stations for only $18 million, the Washington Metro is running $50 to 60 million/mile. With costs like this, the U.S. simply cannot afford to build many miles of subways. Among ways to dramatically cut costs: (1) establish better contracting practices--e.g. having the consultant do a more through geotechnical investigation so subway contractors won't have to put large contingencies factors in their bids; (2) introduce new technologies such as slurry walls, secant pile walls, and precast concrete liners; (3) Remove the burden of risk from the shoulders of consultants, risks connected with the introduction of new technology; (4) More carefully study alternatives in the initial planning phases of a subway system--e.g. necessary for subway tunnels to be so large? Subway platforms need to be that long? Do stations have to as large or as deep? Too much over-design? In sum: the U.S. DOT is unhappy with the designs of current subway systems; they are not as cost-effective as they could be. The U.S. must introduct technical and institutional innovations, as other countries have done, if costs are to be sharply reduced.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/10480594
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  345 East 47th Street
  New York, NY  United States  10017-2398
• Authors:
  • Dallaire, G
• Publication Date: 1976-12

Media Info

• Features: Figures; Photos;
• Pagination: p. 37
• Serial:
  • Civil Engineering
  • Volume: 46
  • Issue Number: 12
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 0885-7024
  • Serial URL: http://www.pubs.asce.org/ceonline/newce/html

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Construction; Construction projects; Contractors; Cost effectiveness; Estimating; Geological events; Rapid transit; Structural design; Subway stations; Subways; Technology; Tunnel lining; Tunnels
• Uncontrolled Terms: Tunnel design
• Geographic Terms: Europe
• Old TRIS Terms: Geological conditions; Subway construction
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Construction; Finance; Geotechnology; Public Transportation;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00147682
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: ASCE Civil Engineering
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Feb 16 1981 12:00AM