News Summary
San Diego’s City Council has approved a progressive design-build model aimed at addressing a $12 billion backlog of overdue infrastructure projects. This innovative approach allows contractors to collaborate during project design, potentially reducing costs, improving quality, and enhancing transparency. Projects like the Hodges Dam replacement and convention center expansion will benefit from this new method, which is expected to address the city’s significant funding gap for infrastructure improvements.
San Diego is making a significant change to its approach to address a staggering $12 billion backlog of overdue infrastructure projects. The City Council has approved a new progressive design-build model that allows contractors to play a collaborative role in project design, marking a shift in how the city will tackle its extensive capital improvement program.
This innovative method is expected to reduce cost overruns, enhance project quality, and promote greater transparency in the bidding process. City engineer Rania Amen stated that the new approach will streamline public works contracts and improve the overall efficiency of the city’s infrastructure projects.
The progressive design-build model is particularly suited for large and complex projects, which include the replacement of Hodges Dam, the expansion of the convention center, and new drainage channels in southeastern San Diego. This approach allows the city to make better use of its limited resources amid a funding gap of $6.5 billion.
Funding and Financial Context
San Diego has planned nearly $12 billion for infrastructure projects over the next five years. However, it only anticipates having $5.5 billion available, resulting in the largest funding shortfall in the city’s history. This gap has more than tripled since early 2020 when estimates stood at $2.16 billion.
The new design-build methods, which include progressive design-build and construction manager at risk, prioritize contractor qualifications over the traditional practice of selecting contractors based on the lowest bid. This may lead to higher initial costs for some projects but aims to create a more effective and innovative project execution process.
Project Implementation and Innovation
Under this new model, contractors will provide a guaranteed maximum price during the design phase, which the city can choose to accept or reject. This early collaboration between contractors and city officials is expected to improve understanding of the projects and promote innovative solutions. Current processes that involve city engineers or architects finalizing project plans before selecting contractors will still remain in place for smaller, well-defined projects.
The progressive design-build method will be employed for projects that demand significant innovation and may face permitting challenges, such as sewer and water projects, while construction manager at risk will be utilized for projects with complex design needs, including dams and large buildings.
Additional Projects on the Horizon
Other notable projects that could implement the new design-build methodology include Fire Station 49 in Otay Mesa, a proposed joint training facility for police and firefighters in Kearny Mesa, and Phase Two of the Pure Water sewage recycling system.
Success Stories from Other Local Agencies
Local agencies have previously leveraged progressive design-build methods with notable success. Projects such as the new Terminal 1 at San Diego International Airport, the Sheriff’s Ramona substation, and the San Diego Trolley’s Blue Line extension to University City serve as prime examples of how this approach can enhance project delivery and value for taxpayers.
Support from Local Leadership
Local contractors express strong support for the new model, believing it will provide better value and promote higher-quality contractors for city projects. City officials argue that the adoption of this new policy is essential for seizing project opportunities that might have been missed without such tools. There is a consensus among city leaders on the need for diverse execution approaches to broaden the project options available for San Diego.
As San Diego steps into this new phase of infrastructure development with the progressive design-build model, it aims to address the critical backlog and enhance the city’s infrastructure for future generations.
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Additional Resources
- San Diego Union Tribune: Fixing Crumbling Infrastructure
- Patch: Coaster Rail Service Suspension
- Construction Dive: San Diego Airport Terminal Phase 1
- 10 News: Caltrans Investment in San Diego Infrastructure
- NBC San Diego: Caltrans Projects Across San Diego
- Wikipedia: San Diego
- Google Search: San Diego infrastructure
- Google Scholar: San Diego infrastructure projects
- Encyclopedia Britannica: San Diego
- Google News: San Diego infrastructure news
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The SAN DIEGO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanDiego.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Diego, San Diego County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Comic-Con International, San Diego County Fair, and San Diego Pride Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the San Diego Regional Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Diego County, plus leading businesses in biotechnology, healthcare, and technology that power the local economy such as Qualcomm, Illumina, and Scripps Health. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAnaheim.com, HEREBeverlyHills.com, HERECostaMesa.com, HERECoronado.com, HEREHollywood.com, HEREHuntingtonBeach.com, HERELongBeach.com, HERELosAngeles.com, HEREMissionViejo.com, and HERESantaAna.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into California's dynamic landscape.
