Project nerds that we are, one of the documents we like to track (via public records request) is the IBR ‘risk register’, a document updated roughly quarterly that tracks what keeps the project managers up at night.
The most recent edition (July) features this interesting tidbit under “new risks”:
Risk #299: Revised PNCD for Fixed-Span Bridge – The USCG may not issue a revised PNCD, which is needed for a fixed-span bridge. If a revised PNCD is not issued, the program will need to elevate the decision which may delay the program schedule.
The backstory on this is that the project strongly desires to build a bridge with a 116 foot fixed clearance over the river, i.e., NOT a drawbridge or lift bridge like we have now.
The challenge is that there are river users upstream who like to ship things taller than 116 feet. The governing authority for this conflict is the Coast Guard, which issued a document called a Preliminary Navigation Clearance Determination (PNCD) which says the project needs to maintain the current 178 foot (lift bridge) vertical clearance. As a result, one of the project’s three “design options” is a lift span – an option they definitely want to rule out!
So how do they that? They have to negotiate with the upstream users to compensate them for the lost opportunities. Ten years ago, they agreed on payments totaling $86.4 million. Once such an agreement is reached for IBR, the Coast Guard would issue a new PNCD at a lower clearance and IBR can cross that options of their list.
Risk #299 is an indication that this hasn’t happened yet and possibly might not happen (what’s their new price tag?). We’re popping a bucket of popcorn to watch how this drama plays out!