AASHTO Journal, 2 May 2014
Through innovation, schedule adjustments, and other efficiencies, Minnesota Department of Transportation this week identified $50 million in construction savings that it is now using for other transportation projects across the state.
MnDOT officials reported that the department saved $30 million on the St. Croix Crossing project by moving up certain parts of the project schedule and “enhancing the design of highway bridges” on the Minnesota side of the project. Another $20 million was saved by adjusting the design of the Red Wing bridge project, which replaces the Eisenhower Bridge over the Mississippi River in Red Wing, to better meet the needs for future capacity.
Construction should begin on this project in 2018, though that savings now will help other projects move ahead.
“Many people talk about reform. We do it,” said Minnesota Governor Mark Dayton in a statement. “The cost savings MnDOT has achieved by working smarter and faster are the kind of improvements Minnesota taxpayers deserve. I congratulate Commissioner [Charlie] Zelle, MnDOT’s employees, and the private contractors, who made this accomplishment possible.”
The $50 million in savings will help fund MnDOT’s efforts to reconstruct pavement, add a general purpose lane, and replace six bridges and repair 11 more on I-494 (from I-394 to I-94). Additionally, MnDOT will use some of that funding to rebuild 50 miles of pavement on I-90.
While MnDOT is finding ways to stretch its transportation dollars today, Zelle said that efficiency isn’t enough in the long-term.
“The future of transportation funding will bring great challenges in the next 20 years,” Zelle said. “Our latest state highway investment plan indicates that we will be $12 billion short of where we want to be. To ensure that we are getting the most for the public’s money, MnDOT will continue to make sure that the work we do provides the best return on investment.”