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Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering, National Research Council, and Transportation Research Board. 2003. Completing the "Big Dig": Managing the Final Stages of Boston's Central Artery/Tunnel Project. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10629.
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COMPLETING THE “BIG DIG”

Managing the Final Stages of Boston’s Central Artery/Tunnel Project

Committee for Review of the Project Management Practices Employed on the Boston Central Artery/Tunnel (“Big Dig”) Project

Board on Infrastructure and the Constructed Environment

Division on Engineering and Physical Sciences

NATIONAL ACADEMY OF ENGINEERING

NATIONAL RESEARCH COUNCIL

TRANSPORTATION RESEARCH BOARD OF THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES

THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES PRESS
Washington, D.C. www.nap.edu

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering, National Research Council, and Transportation Research Board. 2003. Completing the "Big Dig": Managing the Final Stages of Boston's Central Artery/Tunnel Project. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10629.
×

THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES PRESS
500 Fifth Street, N.W. Washington, DC 20001

NOTICE: The project that is the subject of this report was approved by the Governing Board of the National Research Council, whose members are drawn from the councils of the National Academy of Sciences, the National Academy of Engineering, and the Institute of Medicine. The members of the committee responsible for the report were chosen for their special competences and with regard for appropriate balance.

This study was supported by Contract No. 02-1218 between the National Academy of Sciences and the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority. Any opinions, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this publication are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the views of the organizations or agencies that provided support for the project.

International Standard Book Number 0-309-08887-9

Copyright 2003 by the National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.

Available from:

Board on Infrastructure and the Constructed Environment

National Research Council

500 5th Street, N.W.

Washington, DC 20001

Printed in the United States of America

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering, National Research Council, and Transportation Research Board. 2003. Completing the "Big Dig": Managing the Final Stages of Boston's Central Artery/Tunnel Project. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10629.
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THE NATIONAL ACADEMIES

Advisers to the Nation on Science, Engineering, and Medicine

The National Academy of Sciences is a private, nonprofit, self-perpetuating society of distinguished scholars engaged in scientific and engineering research, dedicated to the furtherance of science and technology and to their use for the general welfare. Upon the authority of the charter granted to it by the Congress in 1863, the Academy has a mandate that requires it to advise the federal government on scientific and technical matters. Dr. Bruce M. Alberts is president of the National Academy of Sciences.

The National Academy of Engineering was established in 1964, under the charter of the National Academy of Sciences, as a parallel organization of outstanding engineers. It is autonomous in its administration and in the selection of its members, sharing with the National Academy of Sciences the responsibility for advising the federal government. The National Academy of Engineering also sponsors engineering programs aimed at meeting national needs, encourages education and research, and recognizes the superior achievements of engineers. Dr. Wm. A. Wulf is president of the National Academy of Engineering.

The Institute of Medicine was established in 1970 by the National Academy of Sciences to secure the services of eminent members of appropriate professions in the examination of policy matters pertaining to the health of the public. The Institute acts under the responsibility given to the National Academy of Sciences by its congressional charter to be an adviser to the federal government and, upon its own initiative, to identify issues of medical care, research, and education. Dr. Harvey V. Fineberg is president of the Institute of Medicine.

The National Research Council was organized by the National Academy of Sciences in 1916 to associate the broad community of science and technology with the Academy’s purposes of furthering knowledge and advising the federal government. Functioning in accordance with general policies determined by the Academy, the Council has become the principal operating agency of both the National Academy of Sciences and the National Academy of Engineering in providing services to the government, the public, and the scientific and engineering communities. The Council is administered jointly by both Academies and the Institute of Medicine. Dr. Bruce M. Alberts and Dr. Wm. A. Wulf are chair and vice chair, respectively, of the National Research Council

www.national-academies.org

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering, National Research Council, and Transportation Research Board. 2003. Completing the "Big Dig": Managing the Final Stages of Boston's Central Artery/Tunnel Project. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10629.
×

COMMITTEE FOR REVIEW OF THE PROJECT MANAGEMENT PRACTICES EMPLOYED ON THE BOSTON CENTRAL ARTERY/TUNNEL (“BIG DIG”) PROJECT

JOHN T.CHRISTIAN, Chair, Consulting Engineer,

Waban, Massachusetts

JAMES G.BROWDER, JR.,

Wilbur Smith Associates, Richmond, Virginia

JOHN C.DAVIS,

General Motors Corporation

(retired),

Oxford, Michigan

CHRIS T.HENDRICKSON,

Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

JAMES LEFTER,

Virginia Tech, Crofton, Maryland

RICHARD K.SANDAAS,

Municipality of Metropolitan Seattle (METRO)

(retired),

Kirkland, Washington

RICHARD P.WEAVER,

California DOT

(retired),

Big Arm, Montana

Staff

RICHARD G.LITTLE, Director,

Board on Infrastructure and the Constructed Environment

MICHAEL COHN, Program Officer

JASON DREISBACH, Research Associate

DANA CAINES, Financial Associate

PAT WILLIAMS, Senior Project Assistant

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering, National Research Council, and Transportation Research Board. 2003. Completing the "Big Dig": Managing the Final Stages of Boston's Central Artery/Tunnel Project. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10629.
×

Acknowledgment of Reviewers

This report has been reviewed in draft form by individuals chosen for their diverse perspectives and technical expertise, in accordance with procedures approved by the NRC’s Report Review Committee. The purpose of this independent review is to provide candid and critical comments that will assist the institution in making its published report as sound as possible and to ensure that the report meets institutional standards for objectivity, evidence, and responsiveness to the study charge. The review comments and draft manuscript remain confidential to protect the integrity of the deliberative process. We wish to thank the following individuals for their review of this report:

Frances T.Banerjee, Banerjee and Associates

William W.Badger, Arizona State University

Jack E.Buffington (NAE), University of Arkansas

Robert A.Frosch (NAE), Harvard University

Delon Hampton (NAE), Delon Hampton and Associates

David Luberoff, Harvard University

Sue McNeil, University of Illinois

Charles L.Miller, Baker Transportation

Norman A.Nadel (NAE), Nadel Associates

Kenneth N.Reinschmidt (NAE), Texas A&M University

Although the reviewers listed above have provided many constructive comments and suggestions, they were not asked to endorse the conclusions or recommendations, nor did they see the final draft of the report before its release. The review of this report was overseen by Morris Tanenbaum (NAE), AT&T Corporation (retired), and Lloyd Duscha (NAE), U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (retired). Appointed by the National Research Council, they were responsible for making certain that an independent examination of this report was carried out in accordance with institutional procedures and that all review comments were carefully considered. Responsibility for the final content of this report rests entirely with the authoring committee and the institution.

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering, National Research Council, and Transportation Research Board. 2003. Completing the "Big Dig": Managing the Final Stages of Boston's Central Artery/Tunnel Project. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10629.
×
This page in the original is blank.
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering, National Research Council, and Transportation Research Board. 2003. Completing the "Big Dig": Managing the Final Stages of Boston's Central Artery/Tunnel Project. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10629.
×
Page viii Cite
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering, National Research Council, and Transportation Research Board. 2003. Completing the "Big Dig": Managing the Final Stages of Boston's Central Artery/Tunnel Project. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10629.
×
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering, National Research Council, and Transportation Research Board. 2003. Completing the "Big Dig": Managing the Final Stages of Boston's Central Artery/Tunnel Project. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10629.
×

List of Figures

1.1

 

Project Map,

 

8

2.1

 

Cost History and Scope Evolution,

 

13

2.2

 

Cost History and Scope Evolution, in million of dollars,

 

14

2.3

 

Project Schedule Escalation,

 

14

3.1

 

Modification Cause by Dollar (Thousands),

 

22

6.1

 

Transition Phase 1—Completing Construction,

 

36

6.2

 

Transition Phase 2—Transition to O&M and Resolving Claims,

 

36

6.3

 

Transition Phase 3—Operation of System,

 

37

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering, National Research Council, and Transportation Research Board. 2003. Completing the "Big Dig": Managing the Final Stages of Boston's Central Artery/Tunnel Project. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10629.
×

Acronyms and Abbreviations


ACEC/MA

American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts


B/PB

Bechtel/Parsons Brinckerhoff

BCCF

Budget, Cost, and Commitment Forecast

BCI

Building Cost Index

BICE

Board on Infrastructure and the Constructed Environment


CA/T

Central Artery/Tunnel

CCI

Construction Cost Index

CEVP

Cost Estimating Validation Process

CIM

Construction Industries of Massachusetts

CIS

Construction Information System

CSU

Cost and Schedule Update


DOT

Department of Transportation

DRB

Dispute Review Board


EIS

Environmental Impact Statement

FHWA

Federal Highway Administration


GAO

Government Accounting Office


ICE

Interstate Cost Estimate

IPO

Integrated Project Organization


MDPW

Massachusetts Department of Public Works

MHD

Massachusetts Highway Department

MTA

Massachusetts Turnpike Authority

MTA CEO

Massachusetts Turnpike Authority Chief Executive Officer


NAE

National Academy of Engineering

NRC

National Research Council


OCIP

Owner Controlled Insurance Program


PMM

Project Management Monthly


RFI

Request for Information


TRB

Transportation Research Board


VECP

Value Engineering Change Proposal

Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering, National Research Council, and Transportation Research Board. 2003. Completing the "Big Dig": Managing the Final Stages of Boston's Central Artery/Tunnel Project. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10629.
×
Page R1
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering, National Research Council, and Transportation Research Board. 2003. Completing the "Big Dig": Managing the Final Stages of Boston's Central Artery/Tunnel Project. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10629.
×
Page R2
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering, National Research Council, and Transportation Research Board. 2003. Completing the "Big Dig": Managing the Final Stages of Boston's Central Artery/Tunnel Project. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10629.
×
Page R3
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering, National Research Council, and Transportation Research Board. 2003. Completing the "Big Dig": Managing the Final Stages of Boston's Central Artery/Tunnel Project. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10629.
×
Page R4
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering, National Research Council, and Transportation Research Board. 2003. Completing the "Big Dig": Managing the Final Stages of Boston's Central Artery/Tunnel Project. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10629.
×
Page R5
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering, National Research Council, and Transportation Research Board. 2003. Completing the "Big Dig": Managing the Final Stages of Boston's Central Artery/Tunnel Project. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10629.
×
Page R6
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering, National Research Council, and Transportation Research Board. 2003. Completing the "Big Dig": Managing the Final Stages of Boston's Central Artery/Tunnel Project. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10629.
×
Page R7
Page viii Cite
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering, National Research Council, and Transportation Research Board. 2003. Completing the "Big Dig": Managing the Final Stages of Boston's Central Artery/Tunnel Project. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10629.
×
Page R8
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering, National Research Council, and Transportation Research Board. 2003. Completing the "Big Dig": Managing the Final Stages of Boston's Central Artery/Tunnel Project. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10629.
×
Page R9
Suggested Citation:"Front Matter." National Academy of Engineering, National Research Council, and Transportation Research Board. 2003. Completing the "Big Dig": Managing the Final Stages of Boston's Central Artery/Tunnel Project. Washington, DC: The National Academies Press. doi: 10.17226/10629.
×
Page R10
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Boston's Central Artery/Tunnel Project, a 7.8 mile system of bridges and underground highways and ramps, is the most expensive public works project ever undertaken in the United States. The original cost estimate of $2.6 billion has already been exceeded by $12 billion, and the project will not be completed until 2005, seven years late. The Massachusetts Turnpike Authority (MTA), the public steward of the project, requested that the National Research Council carry out an independent assessment of the project's management and contract administration practices, with a focus on the present situation and measures that should be taken to bring the project to a successful conclusion. This report presents the committee's findings and recommendations pertaining to cost, scheduling, and transitioning from the current organization dominated by consultants to an operations organization composed largely of full-time MTA staff. The report recommends that MTA establish an external, independent, peer-review program to address technical and management issues until the transition to operations and maintenance is complete; begin a media campaign now to teach drivers how to use the new system safely; and develop, immediately implement, and maintain a comprehensive security program.

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