Efficient Techniques to Stay on Time and below Budget: A Successful 3,000 LF Intracoastal HDD Water Main Installation

Manatee County completed the design and construction of a 3,000 LF water main directional drill underneath the intracoastal waterway on time and under budget using a series of innovative techniques. Even with major inflation and labor shortages, the County was able to keep things under control regarding schedule and price through constructible HDD design, competitive and qualified bidding, and a streamlined permitting process. Firstly, the team utilized directional bore modeling software to analyze the directional drill design. This software facilitated a thorough evaluation of the design, ensuring accuracy and efficiency during the installation process. The team also provided detailed Maintenance of Drill and Maintenance of Traffic Plans to confirm constructability. In addition, the project team implemented a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) package in the bid process, which included a request for contractors and staff qualifications of a similar size. This approach ensured that the selected contractors had the necessary expertise and experience for the project. As a result, the project received an impressive response, with seven bidders participating. Notably, five of these bidders submitted bids within 10% of each other, indicating the effectiveness of the procurement process. Furthermore, the winning bid came in below the County's budget, demonstrating the success of the cost-control measures implemented. Finally, to streamline the permitting process, the project team developed a comprehensive permitting template specifically tailored to the requirements of the Army Corps. This template preemptively addressed all the permitting questions, minimizing the need for additional clarification and expediting the permitting timeline. Overall, the implementation of these techniques and strategies resulted in the successful completion of a 3,000 LF intracoastal HDD water main installation for Manatee County, while adhering to the project timeline and staying below budget. These practices offer valuable insights for professionals in the water industry, enabling them to achieve efficient and cost-effective outcomes in their projects.