August 14, 2008

Ontario Ministry of Transportation

MTO partners with roadbuilders to conduct pre-tender ‘constructability’ reviews

PATRICIA WILLIAMS

staff writer

In conjunction with the province’s roadbuilding industry, Ontario’s Ministry of Transportation is undertaking a pilot project that includes external “constructability” reviews of projects prior to tender.

The reviews of drawings and specifications produced by engineering consultants will be carried out by personnel selected by consultants from a roster developed by the Ontario Road Builders’ Association (ORBA).

Ministry spokesman Bob Nichols said reviews will be implemented during the detailed design phase on select projects valued at $10 million and up. Complex projects with lesser value may also be subject to review, he said.

The pilot project will be conducted over the next two to three years. At the conclusion, results will be analyzed to determine if these reviews do indeed improve the level of constructability of projects.

ORBA executive director Rob Bradford said his association sees merit in having designs for highway and bridge projects “given a second look by someone with a contracting background” prior to tendering.

“It’s important that potential errors or changes that could cause constructability difficulties are caught before a project is tendered, thus avoiding costly problems during construction.”

Currently, a review is in the cards for a project involving rehabilitation of concrete pavement and highway structures on southbound collector lanes on Highway 427.

Detailed design is expected to be completed by February 2010.

“We’ve been told that we’ll see more projects coming out later this year,” Bradford said.

At the moment, ORBA has six reviewers lined up. The association would like to have a complement of 20 or more “so all areas of expertise are available.” ORBA is accepting additional applications.

The ministry will reimburse consultants for fees paid to reviewers

John Gamble, president of Consulting Engineers of Ontario, said his organization has no objections to constructability reviews “as long as the remuneration is appropriate, the contractual terms are fair and reasonable and liability is appropriately allocated.

“We will be watching this pilot project with great interest,” said Gamble, whose association has a liaison committee with the transportation ministry. “We look forward to providing feedback.”

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