Alabama joins 35 other states where design-build is authorized for use by their State Departments of Transportation. The Governor has signed the legislation into law and is effective immediately.
April 28, 2016
Montgomery, Ala. – The Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA), the only organization that defines, teaches and promotes best practices in design-build, celebrated the passage of Senate Bill 92 (SB92) today in Alabama. The bill – sponsored by State Senator Arthur Orr – authorizes the Alabama Department of Transportation (DOT) to enter into design-build contracts for the first time. Design-build is an integrated approach to project delivery that offers design and construction services under one contract with a single point of responsibility. The delivery method – which has a proven record of achieving best value while meeting cost, schedule and quality goals – was also being considered for the construction of new prisons in the state in response to overcrowding.
“This legislation will fundamentally change Alabama road and bridge construction for the better,” says Alabama contractor Andrew Edwards of Dunn Building Company, who also serves as the President of DBIA’s South Central Region. “As a proud Alabamian, I was disappointed Alabama hadn’t been enjoying the benefits design-build project delivery brought to neighboring states like Georgia, Florida, North Carolina and Louisiana. Now I’m excited to see Alabama finally get this valuable tool as well, and I thank Senator Arthur Orr for his important role in this victory.”
Various studies show design-build transportation projects are completed up to 36 percent faster, with up to 11 percent costs savings when compared to the traditional delivery method.
“If the legislature believes the Alabama DOT deserves the option to use design-build, then the Alabama Corrections Institution Finance Authority should have the opportunity to reap the benefits of this delivery method too,” Edwards continued, wading into the debate about whether or not to build four new prisons using the design-build project delivery method. The bill to authorize that construction is SB 287. *UPDATE* While the prison bill passed Alabama House of Representatives, and the State Senate, they were two different versions, and a conference committee could not work out the differences in time. The legislative session eneded Wednesday, May 4th, without a vote, and the legislation expired.
“Transportation is the fastest-growing design-build sector,” says Lisa Washington, CAE, who serves as Executive Director/CEO for DBIA. “DBIA recently conducted a survey of state transportation departments and found a 600 percent increase in the amount of completed design-build transportation projects since 2002. This is no surprise, as we see over and over again that agencies are realizing significant savings in schedule, construction costs, improved quality and the benefits of innovative solutions.”
Press/Media: For further research or map graphics about design-build, or to speak with Andrew Edwards or another DBIA representative, please contact DBIA’s Director of Communications & Special Projects, Geoffrey Corey.
Established in 1993, the Design-Build Institute of America (DBIA) is the only organization that defines, teaches and promotes best practices in design-build project delivery. Design-build is an integrated approach that delivers design and construction services under one contract with a single point of responsibility. Owners select design-build to achieve best value while meeting schedule, cost and quality goals. Learn more about design-build and DBIA’s certification and other programs at www.dbia.org.