Team approach leads to award-winning byway

I would like to approach this letter differently than might usually be expected. The byway has received many national and state awards. I would like to pose the question: How does a project get an award? What sets it apart from other projects? As I have thought about these questions I’ve come up with the following conclusions:

1. There has to be a design team who can put together a set of contract documents that are complete and can stand the test of time — especially on a project that spans four construction seasons. The group assembled by Washington Group (now URS) was that design team. Did the design/contract stand up? I believe it did.

Historical change order data from our Residency shows the typically, there are two change orders per $1 million. This project had 94; well under that number. Though complex, the plans and specification were understandable and more importantly — constructible. The team spent countless hours spent with regulatory agencies justifying the merits of the project and dealing with many environmental issues for a project that is either adjacent to or a stone’s throw away from two pristine water bodies.

The team continued to be engaged during the construction process. Any question raised by the construction team received clear concise and timely responses. The list could go on and on. When taking on a project of this size you really grow to appreciate the amount of work required and the dedication of those who endured the process. It’s not easy being in the line of fire on a daily basis.

If someone would have said five years ago we could finish the byway with a contractor of our choice and not have any claims, I would have bet the farm. URS’s team played a major part of being able to resolve all issues with no claims.

To the design team: Please accept our deepest and most heartfelt thanks for your team’s support throughout this project.

2. There has to be a contractor team who has the right people, knowledge, skill set, and can see the end result through the construction process. You can’t have a contractor that is only concerned about today. You need one who can think outside the box — especially one as difficult and with countless construction windows as this project. These windows determined not only when work could be done, but specifically what could be done. Parsons was that contractor.

When you have a project that has been talked about and been in various stages of early design and environmental issues for the past 55 years, there is a great need for a construction firm which will understand the issues and follow through with the final construction of the project. Parsons was such a contractor. They understood very early what was needed and how to proceed. I know countless hours were spent well into the night and almost every Saturday (and sometimes Sunday) to come up with a way inside the specifications to accomplish all the tasks at hand.

The byway project is the largest roadway contract ever in the state of Idaho. Parsons was the right contractor and has left the Sandpoint area with the “crown jewel” of our highway system. It is something we will enjoy for many years to come.

With Sand Creek running adjacent to the entire length of the project, Parson’s attention to detail with regards to environmental issues and sediment and erosion control was top shelf. Even when differences of opinion came up with regards to specifications, plans, or material conditions, both Parsons and ITD could agree to disagree as we sorted out the details. This allowed the project to proceed and be completed ahead of schedule. When you complete a project of this magnitude and both sides are able to resolve all outstanding issues without claims that speaks volumes to the credibility of Parsons and the staff they provided for the project.

3. There has to be a community in support of the project. This project truly had the support of the surrounding area. There was a citizen design team that won national recognition for its key role in the design process. With qualified and hardworking construction people ready to go to work, many local people were employed for four years at Davis-Bacon wages and got to stay close to home- a dream job for construction workers. There were more than 12,000 training hours on this project which allowed those looking to enter this type of profession the opportunity to be trained on-the-job. The cities of Sandpoint and Ponderay set the tone for the project. Early on, they recognized that whether someone liked the project or not — it was here and now we must work with ITD to make it the best … and it is!

4. It is sometimes difficult to say, but opposition can be very healthy. Opposition lets everyone know that now that construction has begun there will be those watching to make sure we do as we said we would. I believe that even though we may still have some who do not like this project, we have completed the project exactly as we said we would.

Protecting the environment and leaving a lasting project that everyone can be proud of is a victory for all … and that includes all parties, whether they were for or against the project.

5. And finally, there has to be an inspection team to care for the interests of all parties. The Sandpoint residency of ITD has qualified people who not only cared about the project and its outcome, but took ownership and shouldered the responsibility of making sure it was built according to the plans and specification. For four years, many staff members worked without a break as the environmental windows precluded any disruption to the flow of work until completion. I am very proud of my staff!! They are the best at what they did on the Sand Creek Byway and continue to do. They always answer the call. They truly made a difference in completing this project for those who will use it for years to come.

It truly is a project we can all be proud of and our association with the byway project!!!

KENNETH SORENSEN, P.E.

Sandpoint

resident engineer

Idaho Transportation Department