Best Practice/Policy

New York

BEST PRACTICE/POLICY:

A+B Contracts

DESCRIPTION OF THE BEST PRACTICE/POLICY:

A+B contracts specify a bid for the work (A) and a bid for the time that a highway facility will be occupied by the contractor (B). The state began using this specification on selected projects in 1994.

REASON(S) FOR ADOPTING THE BEST PRACTICE/POLICY:

To reduce the duration of construction delays in urbanized areas.

BIGGEST BENEFIT(S) BEING REALIZED FROM THIS BEST PRACTICE/POLICY:

To date the state has used this method on 65+ projects, saving an estimated 8,500 contract days based on the difference between the estimated contract time and the contract time bid. The state estimates that these projects have resulted in a $100 million reduction in user delay costs.

LOCATION AND TYPE(S) OF PROJECTS WHERE THIS PRACTICE/POLICY IS MOST APPLICABLE/EFFECTIVE:

The A+B projects are employed on all types of projects with high volumes (urbanized freeways) and on other projects where substantial user delay ( i.e., bridge replacement where difficult detours are necessary) will occur.

CONTACT(S):

Richard W. Lee, Highway Engineer, NYSDOT
Telephone: (518) 457-4449
E-mail: RLEE@gw.dot.state.ny.us

ADDITIONAL CONTACT(S):

Emmett McVitt, Traffic Safety Engineer, FHWA, New York Division Telephone: (518) -431-4125, ext. 231 Jim Growney, Traffic Safety Engineer, FHWA, New York Division Telephone: (518) 431-4125, ext. 254