Transportation Owner of the Year
The Minnesota Department of Transportation has significant experience with design-build projects. They began using design-build in 1996 with a low bid approach but by 2001 had obtained the legislative approval to use the best-value process. Since 2002, they have awarded seven best value design-build projects and six of these projects have been major reconstruction projects with a combined total of $654 Million.
Mn/DOT has completed several notable projects including the Design-Build Merit Award winning ROC 52 project which was Minnesota’s first design-build best value highway project. However, no project has 
attracted more attention that the I-35W Bridge replacement. After the bridge collapsed on August 1, 2007, Mn/DOT knew immediately that they needed to rebuild the bridge using design-build. With a clear vision in mind, the I-35W Bridge was completed in just 339 days; more than three months ahead of the accelerated schedule.
Just three days after the collapse, the Minnesota Department of Transportation issued the RFQ to design-build teams; they shortlisted five teams just five days later and awarded the contract 2 months after shortlisting. Mn/DOT co-located with the design-build team at the project office to facilitate reviews and provide the quick response necessary for successful completion of the project.
Even during a compressed schedule, Mn/DOT ensured that the community was involved in the project from the design through construction. Just a week after notice to proceed, 88 community members met for a day-long workshop to select many of the aesthetic elements for the project. Sidewalk Superintendent Talks were held each Saturday morning to keep the community informed about construction progress, and local students were involved in making a permanent part of the bridge through a project called “Casting the Future”.
The new bridge across the Mississippi River opened to traffic at 5 a.m. on September 18, 2008. It features 10 lanes of traffic and is mass transit ready. It also includes a state-of-the-art sensor and monitoring system built into the bridge that will allow for easier and more comprehensive monitoring throughout the bridge’s lifetime, which was designed to last a minimum of 100 years.
Mn/DOT has learned a great deal through their design-build program in regards to risk management, quality management, and performance specifications. The design-build procurement method has been a catalyst to change for Mn/DOT, influencing many facets of the Department and introducing innovative solutions. Throughout their design-build history, Mn/DOT has utilized many methods to obtain additional information for successful design-build completion including DBIA conferences and courses and site visit tours to notable projects such as Colorado’s T-REX project. Now Mn/DOT is spreading their knowledge and educating others on design-build through presentations including several at the DBIA Region and National levels.