The California High-Speed Rail Authority Board of Directors announced last week that Arcadis U.S., Inc., was awarded the project and construction management contract for Construction Package 2-3 (CP 2-3), which will extend more than 60 miles from East American Avenue in Fresno south to approximately one mile north of the Tulare-Kern County line. The route is expected to bring thousands of jobs to the Central Valley, provide environmental benefits and relieve roadway congestion.
Arcadis was selected after months of interviews and reviews of qualifications during a competitive bidding process among five firms. The purpose of the contract is to provide design and construction oversight for CP 2-3 to minimize construction risks and ensure Californians delivery of a high-speed rail system meets the mandates of Proposition 1A.
“Awarding the project and construction management contract is another significant step forward for this program,” said Authority CEO Jeff Morales. “Partnering with Arcadis will help provide California with a high-speed rail system worthy of our state. Their experience, expertise and employment opportunities will be a tremendous asset to the high-speed rail program and the Central Valley.”
As an additional layer of project oversight, Arcadis will work with the Authority and the design build contractor (to be selected) to identify, manage and mitigate project risks and make sure technical and contract requirements, including costs, are met for CP 2-3. Specific duties include oversight of inspection and testing of the high-speed train infrastructure, technical and environmental compliance including hazmat oversight, utility relocation, construction safety and public outreach. Under the agreed-upon contract, Arcadis could receive up to $71.86 million based on actual work performed over a period of approximately five years.
Arcadis, and its parent company, Arcadis NV, are considered industry leaders in construction management, design and consulting.
Some of their past projects include the Germany Ebensfeld-Erfurt High-Speed Rail, Los Angeles Metropolitan Transit Authority’s Metro Regional Connector Transit Corridor, the Port of Long Beach’s Middle Harbor Phase 1 Construction, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Hurricane Katrina Levee Reconstruction and the Chicago Transit Authority’s Wilson Transfer Station Reconstruction.
Arcadis U.S. Inc. is headquartered in Highlands Ranch, Colorado, but will open an office in the Central Valley.
Arcadis meets the Authority’s 30% goal for small business participation, with a commitment of 30.5%. In addition, the company surpasses the Authority’s 10% disadvantaged business enterprise and 3% disadvantaged veteran business enterprise goals; reaching a 15.6% and a 4.8 percent commitment, respectively.
To all concerned & editor : I recently had an interview with TPZP for the CP-1 segment for the CHSR for a QA/Senior Construction Inspector position with bridge construction experience. They currently have 2 QA/Construction Inspectors with no bridge construction experience. The next day I was offered the position by an e-mail as a QA/Construction Inspector with an hourly salary of approximately $39.50 yer hour roughly about $75,000 per year. I declined they’re offer since it was well below the prevailing wage appointment schedule for a QA/Senior Construction Inspector with bridge construction experience and possibly working 1st & 2nd shifts during this project. Minimum Prevailing Wage salary for this type of project should be $47.50 or above per hour depending on experience. Not to mention this is a Design Build project so you’ll be inspecting your own company which is more challenging and difficult versus being an outside QA/Construction Inspector. TPZP will need approximately 8 – 10 QA/Construction Inspectors and are having a difficult time hiring for those positions.