Flexible Start/Fixed Duration Contracting for Construction of Transportation Projects: A Case Study of the Paseo Bridge Maintenance Project

Innovative contracting methods are being constantly refined to meet the challenges facing state departments of transportation (DOTs) in their efforts to rehabilitate the nation’s infrastructure. These contracting methods emphasize best value practices and attempt to minimize construction cost and service disruptions to the traveling public. The importance of innovative contracting methods stems from the flexibility they offer to state DOTs in the procurement and delivery of construction. One innovative contracting method that appears to be underutilized is flexible start date contracts which allow contractors to schedule their work during dates that optimize schedules and minimize the public impact of their projects. The present paper describes an exploratory investigation of flexible start/fixed duration contracting. The paper presents the current practices of a number of state DOTs along with a case study of the Paseo Bridge rehabilitation project in Kansas City, Missouri. The results of this investigation demonstrated the advantages of flexible start/fixed duration contracting and its potential benefits in large transportation projects in urban settings.

• Record URL:
  • http://www.intrans.iastate.edu/publications/_documents/t2summaries/flex-schedule.pdf
• 
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This research was funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program.
• Corporate Authors:

  Iowa State University, Ames

  Center for Transportation Research and Education
  2711 South Loop Drive, Suite 4700
  Ames, IA  United States  50010-8664

  Midwest Transportation Consortium

  Iowa State University, 2711 South Loop Drive, Suite 4700
  Ames, IA  United States  50010-8664

  Research and Special Programs Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Maze, Thomas H
  • Strong, Kelly C
  • Kandil, Amr
• Publication Date: 2007-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Web
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Figures; Maps; Photos; References;
• Pagination: 24p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Case studies; Construction projects; Contracting; Flexibility; Infrastructure; Rehabilitation; State departments of transportation
• Uncontrolled Terms: Aging infrastructure; Bridge maintenance; Transportation infrastructure
• Geographic Terms: Kansas City (Missouri)
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Construction; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; I61: Equipment and Maintenance Methods;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01079749
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: UTC, TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Oct 22 2007 10:55AM