TZB $147 million contract awarded

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$147M for Tappan Zee deck repair

By THE JOURNAL NEWS

FROM STAFF REPORTS

(Original Publication: August 1, 2006)

The state Thruway Authority announced today that Perini/Tutor-Saliba JV of Peekskill has been awarded a $147 million contract to replace the Tappan Zee Bridge roadway deck.

"The deck replacement project is part of the Authority's commitment to properly maintain and operate the bridge by continuing to make the necessary investments to assure safe and efficient travel for the thousands of motorists that cross the bridge daily," said Thruway Authority Executive Director Michael R. Fleischer. "This deck replacement project is a necessary interim measure to ensure safe, reliable service to the traveling public while the Tappan Zee Bridge Environmental Review progresses."

The contractors — a joint venture of Perini Corp. and Tutor-Saliba Corp., both owned by California builder Ron Tutor — submitted a low bid of $146.9 million in February.

The award comes after the Thruway Authority and the state Comptroller's Office conducted a review of the contractor.

The Journal News reported in April that the companies had a history of cost overruns and legal claims over excessive billing. Among the findings by the newspaper

• In February, Tutor-Saliba and Perini agreed to pay $19 million to settle racketeering and fraud allegations in a San Francisco airport project.

• In 2004, Perini agreed to pay the federal government $998,500 to settle fraud claims in the construction of an embassy building in Venezuela.

• Perini sued for more than $170 million in cost overruns on three New YorkCity projects during the 1990s before settling for about $22 million.

The Thruway Authority and the Comptroller's Office agreed that a strong and effective monitoring agreement to supplement existing engineering inspection requirements and other program controls would help to ensure that Perini meets all of the terms of this complex $147 million project.

The monitoring agreement enhances the Authority's existing program of monitoring and coupled with the contract inspection and oversight performed by independent professional engineers, will ensure compliance with all terms of the contract with the Authority.

Deck replacement work will be conducted primarily during off-peak, overnight shifts, from 8 p.m. until 6 a.m.

The Authority will limit day work, permitting occasional single lane closures as needed.

Deck replacement materials will be manufactured off-site, reducing noise on-site and shortening the duration of the project overall.

Information on the Tappan Zee Bridge Deck Replacement Project, is available online at www.thruway.state.ny.us/projectsandstudies/projects/tzbdeck/index.html.

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