Dispute Resolution Swaps Concrete for Interstate Asphalt

Contractor opts to pave with concrete at asphalt cost after geologic-conditions change order

Concrete solved a shortage of base aggregate and gained 5.5 miles of the 8.5-mile I-580 project south of Reno that had been planned as an asphalt surface. Substandard material found in a deposit of bedrock the Nevada DOT hoped would serve as base rock for the asphalt forced a change in the project. 

After a "dispute resolution team" ruled in favor of contractor Fisher Industries' claim that unexpected geologic conditions justified additional payments, Fisher was awarded a $13.9 million change order. Shortly after, Fisher proposed to surface much of the freeway with concrete at no additional cost in state or federal dollars using concrete aggregates on hand at an on-site batch plant. 

(More on I-580's new concrete surface . . .

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