WCI releases new HDR study on improving USACE delivery of inland navigation projects
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The Waterways Council Inc. (WCI) has released a study by HDR Inc. <\/a>entitled \u201cRecommendations for Improving the Delivery of Inland Waterway Capital Projects.\u201d With an accompanyng infographic it examines why costs for U.S. inland waterways capital projects (locks and dams) escalate, timelines for completion continue to slip, and economic benefits from projects\u2019 execution are consistently delayed.<\/p>\n The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers\u2019 civil works mission is responsible for constructing the U.S. inland waterways infrastructure. The HDR study employed a multi-faceted approach, including interviews with customers of the Corps and other relevant entities to obtain perspectives on improving the delivery of lock and dam projects. In addition, HDR conducted comprehensive background research and broader analyses of the systemic challenges associated with delivering large-scale infrastructure projects within established\u202ftimeframes\u202fand budgets.<\/p>\n America\u2019s lock and dam infrastructure has been slow to modernize over the past\u202f40\u202fyears. Since 1987, only\u202f10\u202fprojects to modernize or expand locks on the inland system have been completed. Seven of those projects were started and finished between 1987 and 1997 with an average cost overrun of 33%. Key recommendations of the HDR study include:<\/p>\n The study\u2019s findings reveal that most of the recommendations that can\u202freasonably be\u202fimplemented by the Corps require support and approval from the Office of Management and Budget\u202f(OMB).\u202fIt also spotlights the consequences of OMB\u2019s interpretation of Executive Order (EO) 12322 <\/a>and how it limits access to effective solutions, such as continuing contracts and alternative delivery methods that\u202fprovide\u202fconsiderable opportunity to improve execution and reduce risk. The key recommendations to follow the CIS and take a systemic approach with programmatic funding also require OMB participation. Download the study HERE<\/a><\/p>\n Download the infographic HERE<\/a><\/p>\n<\/p>\n The post WCI releases new HDR study on improving USACE delivery of inland navigation projects<\/a> appeared first on Marine Log<\/a>.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
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For many years, inadequate or uncertain annual funding was cited as the primary cause of cost overruns and schedule delays, but what has become clear since the infusion of\u202f$2.9 billion\u202ffrom the 2021 bipartisan infrastructure bill is that project execution\u202fchallenges extend\u202fbeyond funding.<\/p>\n\n
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\u201cWCI is pleased with the depth and clarity provided in HDR\u2019s study recommendations,\u201d said WCI President\/CEO Tracy Zea.<\/a> \u201cThe analysis underscores the complex challenges facing lock and dam project delivery and highlights the importance of collaboration and alignment among the Corps, industry, Congress, and the Administration. WCI will continue to support and implement workable solutions that improve project execution and reliability of our Nation\u2019s critically important inland waterways system,\u201d he continued.\u202f<\/p>\n