Design-Build-Finance
A standard Design-Build project combines design and construction into a single contract. A Design-Build project may be awarded based on cost alone. Alternatively, a value-based Design-Build approach award process considers the cost and the technical approach, including innovative design and efficiencies. The first phase of the Cleveland Innerbelt project used a value-based Design-Build approach.
A Design-Build Finance process utilizes components of a value-based Design-Build approach and incorporates a private financing component that allows the project delivery to be accelerated through the use of private financing that will be paid back when public funds are available. With a Design-Build-Finance approach, the selected Design-Build Team will design, construct and finance the cost of construction for a prescribed period of time.
Innerbelt Eastbound Bridge and Demolition of the Existing Bridge
Due to the condition of the existing Innerbelt Bridge, the existing bridge will be demolished upon completion of the bridge currently under construction which is expected in November 2013. At that time, all traffic will be directed to the new bridge until the second bridge (the eastbound bridge) is completed.
The construction of the eastbound structure is not funded until fiscal year 2016 and construction would not be completed until 2019 under a traditional delivery approach. Therefore, ODOT evaluated the use of Design-Build-Finance to accelerate the construction of the eastbound structure to minimize economic impacts to the region and avoid a prolonged period of time where all traffic is limited to a single bridge.
The evaluation indicated that using Design-Build-Finance allows ODOT to start construction immediately following construction of the westbound bridge currently under construction at little cost and actually may result in savings through private sector innovation and efficiencies. In addition, it is anticipated that the project would be delivered two years earlier avoiding significant impacts and costs due to traffic delays, crashes and emissions.
