NEW TARGET COMPLETION DATE FOR BEEF ISLAND BRIDGE
If all goes according to the new schedule, the new Beef Island Bridge should be completed by the end of March this year. Minister for Communications and Works Hon. J. Alvin Christopher sought to clarify what he termed “misinformation…from un-informed sources” by providing an update on the project during last Friday’s LegCo sitting. He recalled that early in 1997, government published an invitation to tender for the design of the bridge, having a maximum of three spans and 70 metres or 230 feet in length, with a wind bearing capacity of 85-100 miles per hour. The successful tenderer subsequently ordered an alternate design, in the form of a single span cable stay bridge.
The amended proposal was accepted by government and on April 9th, 1998, a contract amounting to $2, 370, 000 was signed by the government and contractor Samuel Condé to design and construct the bridge. Subsequently, it was decided to encase the exposed cable of the bridge in concrete, giving the appearance of a sail. In 1998, two design changes were made, having an effect on the cost and the wind loading capacity from 90-180 miles per hour at 3-second gusts and the length of the bridge from 70-85 metres. The estimate thus was considered by government to be excessive and in June, the contractor was directed to return to the original concept of the 3 span bridge. The revised cost of the structure with the new wind load requirement and extended span was approximately $3, 720, 000.
Minister Christopher went on to explain that on December 3rd, 1999, a meeting was held with representatives of the government and the contractors and a Memorandum of Understanding on outstanding issues was agreed upon and it was agreed that weekly progress meetings would be held. On March 27th, 2000, agreement in principal was reached on the revised cost of $3, 720, 000 and a starting date of April 2000 for the project and a completion date of December 15th. “Meanwhile, the contractor advised of his intent to file a claim for compensation on account of delay of access to the site. Legal advice was sought…and the government was advised that notice of the claim had not been presented by the contractor within the time frame stipulated by the contract and the claim was therefore not valid.”
Work on the bridge site commenced in May 2000 and the actual driving of piles began in June. It was also in June that the contractor presented a cost claim of $4, 024, 000. He was reportedly advised that in accordance with legal advice received, the claim could not be entertained. Follow up meetings were held and at last word, the contractor was advised to present documentation to verify the stated costs. “That request was vigorously resisted by the contractor until January 2001, when he agreed to comply…There’s no denial…that relations between the contractor and the employer became strained following the meeting of September 30th, but worked continued on the project.”
The final 10 beams for the bridge, expected by October 24th, did not arrive, thus an extension requested by the contractor to March 23rd was granted. On 14th December, the contractor advised government in writing that the site would be de-mobilized a day later until early in the New Year. While the Contract manager returned on January 4th, the scheduled resumption of work did not take place as scheduled. The Communications Minister pointed out that the controversial figure of approximately $6. 423M being bandied around includes approximately $3, 720, 000 for the bridge design and construction, demolition of the existing bridge and approximately $2.703M for the cost of the project management team and supporting resources.
Additionally, there were additional costs for the geographical
investigation of the site, land acquisition, construction of
an approach road on both sides of the bridge, utility work, waterways,
navigational aid and re-allocation of the jetty. He said these
were not part of Condé’s contract and therefore not
budgeted for when the bridge project was originally conceived.
“On the 5th of January, 2001, the contractor wrote of an
intention to suspend work on the project because the employer
had not paid the outstanding claim, nor had
the employer refunded a sum of approximately $93, 000, which
represents 50% of the retention money to be refunded in accordance
with the contract,” Hon. Christopher told the House. He
however pointed out that the refund was retained because of the
contractor’s failure to comply, on a timely basis, with
the requirements of the contract.
As the saga continued, this notice to suspend the work was later withdrawn, but in practice, work remained suspended. The contractor was advised to re-mobilize and has now reported that the final ten beams should be shipped from Santo Domingo February 22nd and that site personnel will re-mobilize in advance of their arrival. “While the government has exercised patience in negotiating with the contractor on resumption of the work and a timely completion of the project, it reserves the right to take whatever action is necessary under the contract, to ensure that the project is not held hostage indefinitely and to ensure that the bridge is completed in a…satisfactory time,” the Minister declared.
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