Building Bridges Faster

by Robert L. Nickerson, Chf.; Bridge Review & Design Branch, Federal Highway Administration, Washington, DC,


Serial Information: Civil Engineering—ASCE, 1988, Vol. 58, Issue 1, Pg. 59-62


Document Type: Feature article

Abstract:

Guidelines are presented that tell how to write a contract that will lead to radical reductions in the time to build or rebuild a bridge. The article covers how to write an incentive/disincentive (I/D) clause, providing several thousands of dollare for each day of early completion and a similar penalty if late. Calculation of project duration is also covered. The importance of the owner's actions are stressed in turning around shop drawing approvals, and in approving or disapproving proposed changes. A case history is presented of the reconstruction of the Schoharie Creek Bridge, on the New York Thruway, which severed that key artery last April. The owner's chief engineer describes the $12 million contract's extraordinarily large $62,500 a day incentive clause and $50,000 a day penalty clause. The contractor's project manager tells how he thinks he could have done the job even faster than the 9 months needed to design and build the first of two replacement structures. The consulting engineering firm tells how they designed it for speedy construction.

Subject Headings: Bridges | Contracts and subcontracts | Consulting services | Construction management | Case studies | Rivers and streams | Project management

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