Misinformation: Doing just water in the NW instead of water/sewer/irrigation is cheaper.
Reality: Three separate pipes, three separate trenches, three separate paving jobs, three separate upheavels to achieve what you could have done in one fell swoop.
Yes, the pipes are still in separate trenches, but it’s easier to get the crew to dig, lay and bury all three at once. A single upheavel, reduced costs and your done.
Misinformation: We should move ahead with the UEP now, because later it will be more expensive.
Reality: If the City elimates MWH, the rebid would come in at 35% less.
Better yet, if the city does the right thing by taking this job on internally, taxpayers will save 66%.
That means water/sewer/irrigation for $6K upfront, not $18K.
Not to mention the incalculable benefit of creating a durable economic base in the Cape, which will reap multiple benefits for years to come.
COVID 19: Everything's Jim Dandy?
4 years ago
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Misinformation - You do not know how to install utility pipe lines.
ReplyDeleteReality – The first lines to be installed are the sanitary sewer lines which typically run down the center of the road so that services can extend to each side creating a central collection system. These lines are also the deepest of the three and the installation of them is what requires road re-build. Second to be installed is either the potable water main or the irrigation main. They run on opposite sides of the road and are NOT in the same trench and CANNOT be. These lines are off the road and running either of them alone does not require road rebuild. Minor patches at particular crossings are expected but not full rebuild. Be that as it may, all pipe lines are run in separate trenches and are considered a separate entity therefore they can be installed in sequence or stand alone, the work required and the labor is the same no matter which way it is done. They are all dug separate, laid separate, backfilled separate and considered to be separate.
I have been in the Cape a good while but I have been in the industry for a long time. While I do not know where you get your numbers I can say that I think your percentages are way off and seem to be speculation rather than fact. In looking at my assessment it clearly shows that the cost of construction is reasonable and in line with the cost to do the same work other places. The hard part to swallow is the cost that is added by the City (Facility Expansion Charge). Out of the 6K for the north, 57 percent of that is a City charge, not a construction cost. According to the information provided at the City Council meeting on July 20, the construction portion may even be lower based on bids while the City portion will not change. I do not agree that the City could do it any cheaper than any other firm. Be that MWH or someone else. I seem to remember that the City tried the other approach once before and lost over 12 million in lawsuits in the process. If the City were to take on the project, they would need an entire new staff that could handle it and would also have to pay overtime to get it done in somewhat of a reasonable time frame. Not to mention take on the risk. It is too easy to be a critic. All you need is enough information to be dangerous.
So sorry, we mistated three separate paving jobs.
ReplyDeleteThe rest still holds including three separate upheavels and greater downstream costs.
You are correct, the city did get burned with CDM (mentioned in another post).
If you fall down while walking, don't you get up and walk again?
You mention, "an entire new staff that could handle it and would also have to pay overtime to get it done in somewhat of a reasonable time frame. Not to mention take on the risk."
The costs of all this would be far less than paying MWH to "take the risk".
Your fear, uncertaintly and doubt laced diatribe sounds far too much like an MWH employee...
or a city employee who is dependent on MWH to make your decisions and hold your hand.
And one more thing, we never said anything about a single trench.
ReplyDeleteFurthermore, your "off the road" comment might apply in most areas of the Cape.
However, if you run sewer & water lines in a big city, there is no "off the road".
You will be cutting blacktop & sidewalk or driveway, no two ways about it.
Oh and as for my prices & information being speculation, they are anything but.
There is what you do know, what you think you know and what you don't know.
And it's what YOU (the taxpaying public) don't know (the truth) that can and will hurt you.
Riddle me this: How did Ft. Myers & other municipalities provide water & sewer for under $8K?