01555680

Component

TriMet is nearing completion of a five-year light rail construction project that includes a new bridge across Portland, Oregon’s Willamette River. Building the first new bridge in the Portland metropolitan region since 1973 raised significant construction challenges as well as a high degree of public scrutiny. Knowing that successful design-build contracting relies on setting clear owner and contractor expectations, TriMet began with the objective of devising an innovative process to identify and assign construction risks across the parties and provide commercial clarity on how encountered risks would be managed. TriMet developed a strategic contracting process that defined, monetized and managed major risks. Essential in this approach was a continuing dialogue with the prospective proposers throughout a multi-step procurement plan. From this dialogue, TriMet gleaned insights on potential risks, created a defined risk template for bidders, and developed a framework for resolving risks encountered during construction. TriMet’s approach resulted in effective identification and resolution of risks during the bridge’s design and construction. In addition, clear expectations and transparency all along the process led to open communications, mutual trust, and exceptional collaboration. As such, this innovative approach provides a successful case study for owners and practitioners of similar projects.

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AFH15 Project Delivery Methods. Alternate title: Strategic Risk Management in Design-Build Contracting.

01550057

15-4205

English

12p

2015

Transportation Research Board 94th Annual Meeting

Digital/other

Maps; Photos; Tables

Bridge construction; Bridge design; Case studies; Contracting; Design build; Project delivery; Project management; Risk management

Tri-County Metropolitan Transportation District of Oregon

Portland (Oregon); Willamette River

Administration and Management; Bridges and other structures; Construction; Design; Public Transportation; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls; I53: Construction of Bridges and Retaining Walls

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2015 Paper #15-4205

TRIS, TRB, ATRI

Dec 30 2014 1:22PM