Mn/DOT accelerated the delivery of the I-35W Mississippi River replacement bridge project using the design-build procurement process.

Design-build brings designers and contractors together early in the project development process. Quality design-build projects differ from traditional design-bid-build projects in that they allow for the overlapping of design and construction. That means construction can begin after only a portion of the final detailed design has been completed. By using the design-build method for the I-35W bridge replacement project, Mn/DOT was able to deliver the project sooner. Some of the benefits of the design-build process are:

• Shortened completion time by overlapping design and construction
• Construction can begin before all design details are final
• Greater innovation and flexibility in selecting design, materials and construction methods
• Reduced claims due to design errors because construction happens under same contract
• Accelerated response time and dispute resolution through a team effort
• Single contact point for quality, cost and schedule from design through construction
• Shortened project delivery time which can reduce user costs

Mn/DOT has awarded six Best-Value design-build projects since 2001. These projects and their value include:

• Highway 212 in the west Twin Cities Metro $238 million
• ROC 52 in Rochester $232 million
• I-494 in the west Twin Cities Metro $135 million
• Highway 52 in Oronoco $37 million
• Highway 10/32 in Hawley $8.6 million
• District 4 Signs $1.0 million

Many of these projects were completed in record time, which far exceeded the expectations of Mn/DOT and other units of government. For example, ROC 52 was completed two years earlier than projected.

Based on the success of Mn/DOT’s current and past design-build projects, Mn/DOT is confident that using design-build on the I-35W project resulted in a quality project being constructed in record time.

Four contracting teams—Ames/Lunda, C.S. McCrossan, Flatiron/Manson.,and Walsh Construction/American Bridge— submitted Statements of Qualifications to bid on the I-35W bridge reconstruction project. The teams submitted a proposal and cost estimate.

• Apparent  Best Value Bid
• Power Point Presentation Explaining Bid Selection Process

For more design-build information, including information for contractors design-build Web site at: http://www.dot.state.mn.us/designbuild/i35wprojectt

Comment on plans for the new bridge