Ongoing Calgarians complaining about pedestrian bridges thread

[TylerSVT]

Mod edit- that's enough.

[Red Slinger]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

No contractor would bid lump sum on a job like that. I'd be very surprised if they are on the hook for anything.

Actually, considering the economic environment in the city when this was bid it's very possible.

[V]

Originally Posted by burn_this_city

No contractor would bid lump sum on a job like that. I'd be very surprised if they are on the hook for anything.

What are you talking about? Virtually every project I've ever worked on for the City, whether for Parks, TI or other has alway been fixed bid. In fact, I'm surprised due to the political nature of this project that they don't have to pay a certain amount per day for being late.

The City would be crazy to offer up any project these days at cost plus. I don't think TILMA would allow it.

[CaptainCrunch]

Originally Posted by V

What are you talking about? Virtually every project I've ever worked on for the City, whether for Parks, TI or other has alway been fixed bid. In fact, I'm surprised due to the political nature of this project that they don't have to pay a certain amount per day for being late.

The City would be crazy to offer up any project these days at cost plus. I don't think TILMA would allow it.

Hmm that doesn't explain all of those projects that went over budget without supporting paperwork

[burn_this_city]

Originally Posted by V

What are you talking about? Virtually every project I've ever worked on for the City, whether for Parks, TI or other has alway been fixed bid. In fact, I'm surprised due to the political nature of this project that they don't have to pay a certain amount per day for being late.

The City would be crazy to offer up any project these days at cost plus. I don't think TILMA would allow it.

http://www.calgaryherald.com/news/We...482/story.html

Sure doesnt appear to be fixed bid, otherwise the contractor wouldnt have much luck recouping their costs for rework. On a project like this, it would be tough for a bidder to put a reasonable price lump sum. They would have a lot of contingency buried so they didnt lose their shirts.

[Bigtime]

That article also makes it sound like the city is going to play hardball with the contractor, if they are not doing the job up to par with Calatrava's quality inspectors then they need to re-do it on their own dime:

The inadequate bridge welds flagged by architect Santiago Calatrava's quality inspectors mean his $24.5-million downtown pedestrian bridge that was supposed to open last month will now be delayed to as late as June.

The Peace Bridge designer sent representatives to check out progress last week on the intricate steel helix, said Malcolm Logan, the city's general manager of transportation.

"Some of the work that they inspected last week didn't sort of pass muster and they want it redone," he said Tuesday.

Now, his officials will have to press to ensure the public doesn't pay any cost overruns for the delays.


Calgary-based Graham Construction should absorb labour costs for a project they were contracted to deliver on budget by Oct. 31, Logan said.
He predicts an attempt to get the city to help cover those expenses.


"But I don't want to put extra cost on the taxpayer for this. I don't think it's our responsibility," he said.


"The contractor is going to make best efforts to try to preserve their profits, but we'll do the best we can to not pay anything extra for anything that we shouldn't have to pay for."

[CaptainCrunch]

The contractor is going to make best efforts to try to preserve their profits, but we'll do the best we can to not pay anything extra for anything that we shouldn't have to pay for."

Put away the welder and get out the ductape vern.

[burn_this_city]

Contractors hire change management people who can squeeze every drop out of the client. They'll find a hole in the contract and take you to the cleaners.

[Bigtime]

Well I hope our new mayor (who was dead set against how this project came to be) puts the squeeze on the contractor to deliver the expected level of quality. Perhaps Graham construction didn't get the memo that there's a new sheriff in town, and he doesn't take kindly to budget over-runs.

[Mazrim]

Originally Posted by Bigtime

Well I hope our new mayor (who was dead set against how this project came to be) puts the squeeze on the contractor to deliver the expected level of quality. Perhaps Graham construction didn't get the memo that there's a new sheriff in town, and he doesn't take kindly to budget over-runs.

I'm sure most contractors/consultants are used to almost always getting scope changes approved...

[Flames in 07]

Does anyone know why this thing isn't being built?

[Barnes]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

Does anyone know why this thing isn't being built?

It is. It has been motherfataing cold and the welding is very complex.

[Flames in 07]

Originally Posted by Barnes

It is. It has been motherfataing cold and the welding is very complex.

It was supposed to be done in October no?

[frinkprof]

Originally Posted by Flames in 07

Does anyone know why this thing isn't being built?

By all means, grab a hammer and have at 'er.

---------

Less a-hole-ish response: There's a ton of welding to do, which apparently is ongoing under the tents that are there. It doesn't seem like much progress from afar, but it's just the nature of the project. Once it nears completion it will all seem to go quickly because the whole thing will be lifted into its ultimate location and the final work on the abutments on either side will go quickly.

As for the timeline, it's just a delay from its original completion date. Sometimes when they pick these dates, it's a lot of spitballing and sometimes they just throw out a completion date that is unrealistic. I was honestly surprised when I first heard the original October completion date. Just didn't seem right. This happens on other things too. The NE LRT extension to Saddletown was originally quoted as having an opening date in 2010 whereas it won't open until Fall 2012. Same with the Crowfoot extension which was nearly a year past its original opening date. Both those original opening dates were fairly unrealistic too. Not sure why this happens, but from what I've seen, it's nothing new.

[You Need a Thneed]

There's a lot of welding to do, and to be redone, welding that must look nice.

The entire structure relies on the strength of the welds, and they must be perfect.

It's a very complex structure, with very complex construction.

[Bigtime]

They also knew that us latte-sipping elitists can't stand the cold, so this way we can all take part in the opening of the bridge in warmer weather (versus my monocle fogging up).



It will be very cool when the entire bridge is moved onto the temporary bridge, and the LIFTED off of it and placed into its final position. I'm guessing there will be lots of photogs and video cameras around that day. Should be quite a sight to take in.

[jar_e]

As per a Global News alert:

This just in to the Global Calgary Newsroom:
The 25 million dollar pedestrian Peace Bridge's opening is delayed indefinitley, because of serious structural concerns. Opening could be pushed back as far as 2012.

[BlackArcher101]

Damn well better be an April fools joke. Otherwise all I'm going to start hearing is, "see, I told you so".

[wildflames]

Wow! Sounds awesome. Love the spiral idea.. Really looking forward to seeing the finished product!

[SebC]

Originally Posted by BlackArcher101

Damn well better be an April fools joke. Otherwise all I'm going to start hearing is, "see, I told you so".

CBC has picked it up, so if it's a prank, it would have to be the city doing the pranking.

http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/calgar...ng-delays.html