CONSTRUCTION EFFICIENCY THROUGH A RAILROAD BRIDGE PROJECT

摘要

Design efficiency in rail bridge projects is universally recognized as critical, but often less attention is paid to efficiency after the contractor and bid price have been determined. Even though construction budgets typically dwarf design budgets, construction efficiency is often overlooked. This manuscript will bring insights into construction efficiency from the owner, designer, construction management, and contractor perspectives using real world examples. The manuscript will focus on a few key concepts that have a heavy impact on rail bridge construction project's success. The first concept is the Time versus Budget balance. The old phrase "Time is Money" is very valid here. The authors will consider ways to evaluate operational impacts from more curfews or longer curfews against the benefit of lower construction cost and earlier completion. The project team's relationship and communication also have serious implications on the success and budget of a rail construction project. Implementing regular project progress meetings along with a standardized submittal system can help foster trusting relationships between the different parties and directly lead to project success. Finally, looking ahead to anticipate the potential for future issues throughout the construction process is critical for the entire project team. Challenges can often be completely eliminated or reduced if identified early in the construction process. Problems will arise, but identifying major issues early greatly reduces the potential for change orders. Examples from real rail construction projects and lessons learned will be discussed to support the primary points.