By Adam Newton, project engineer for Macomb County Department of Roads
The $218 million reconstruction of a portion of Mound Road will use an innovative contracting method called design-build. Macomb County typically designs the project 100% then puts the project out for bid. But design-build is a process that takes design to the 30% mark, then identifies the specifications and requirements to direct a design-builder contractor on completing the rest of the design and subsequent construction.
There are several benefits to using the design-build process:
- It allows the construction to begin sooner – construction can be started in one aspect of the project while the design is still being finalized for another part of the project.
- It allows for innovation and creativity – we can use the design-builder’s expertise to find opportunities to save time and resources, and promote new ideas and construction techniques.
- It allows for expedited construction – We can actually break ground sooner than with the typical design-bid-build process.
The intent is to make the road safe, smooth, and user-friendly, and to provide a quality product built to last 30 years. The design-build process will expedite construction while minimizing the impact to residents, businesses, and our community.