CMAR Delivery Process Begins

Following an April 2023 Notice of Intent and issuance of a Request for Qualifications solicitation in May of 2023 for this project, the DOTD received proposals from qualified CMAR contractors and selected the James Construction Group (now Primoris Heavy Civil) and TRC Engineer, Inc. design team to design and implement the project via the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) delivery method. CMAR differs from traditional design – bid – build in that the Contractor and Designer develop the final design collaboratively, potentially identifying cost savings, efficient design and constructability techniques, and up to date information about materials, means, and methods for construction. 

The CMAR delivery method can also allow construction to begin sooner, as portions of the project complete final design earlier and in phases they can proceed into construction. During 2026 the project team has been meeting weekly to move Phase 1 of the project through final design. Initial construction is anticipated to begin during the first quarter of 2027. Also, during 2026 the CMAR team working with DOTD identified additional necessary changes to the project design which differed from those approved through the 2023 NEPA Environmental Reevaluation process. This is requiring a second NEPA Reevaluation of these design changes to ensure they conform to the project intent and do not affect the original environmental determination.