The Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) announced the launch of an ambitious public-private partnership (P3) campaign this week to replace 558 structurally deficient bridges across the state by 2018. Contracts will be awarded in October and the department plans to begin construction next year.
The Rapid Bridge Replacement Public-Private Partnership program will bundle several bridges under one contract, meaning design and construction standards will be consistent across the board. This will cut the time needed to replace all 558 bridges from 8-12 years down to four, and generate significant cost savings for the state.
PennDOT said it would extend invitations to bid to four joint ventures, who must submit their bids by September 29. Contractors will be allowed no more than 60 full-closure days for single-span bridges and no more than 110 days for multiple-span structures.
Under the terms of the P3 agreement, the selected contractor(s) must maintain the bridges in question for the next 25 years.
