US 20: Pioneer Mountain to Eddyville Project Update

 

March 16, 2012                                                    For more information: Rick Little (541) 726-2442

03-72-R2                                                                                             richard.little@odot.state.or.us

Project website: www.us20pme.com

 

ODOT Issues Notice of Default to Design Builder on US 20: Pioneer Mountain to Eddyville Project

 

CORVALLIS-- The Oregon Department of Transportation is issuing Notice of Default to Yaquina River Constructors (Granite Construction Company), the Design Builder on the U.S. 20: Pioneer Mountain to Eddyville Project.  

 

Under the terms of the Design Build contract, the Design Builder and its sureties have 10 days to correct the default to ODOT’s satisfaction, or the sureties have 10 days to submit to ODOT a proposal for correction satisfactory to ODOT. If that does not occur, one of the actions ODOT can take is to terminate the contract for default. Whatever approach is taken, ODOT intends to hold the Design Builder and its sureties financially responsible.    

 

The project is creating a new, straighter 5.5 mile segment of U.S. 20 between Corvallis and Newport to replace an existing narrow, 10 mile segment with hairpin turns and no passing lanes.

 

Under a Design Build contract, responsibility for engineering, design and construction of a project is held by the Design Builder. Work on the project has been stalled since early 2010, when it was discovered that several of its bridge columns had moved out of plumb. The Design Builder has made no acceptable progress on four major bridge sections and other related work since then.

 

NOTE: There will be no interviews and no further information on this issue until ODOT receives and gives thorough consideration to the formal response from the Design Builder and its sureties.

 

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