Case Study: Delay from Site Conditions on Denver Airport Expansion (Denver, CO, 2015)

Project Overview
• Name: Denver International Airport Expansion
• Location: Denver, Colorado
• Year: 2015
• Project Size: $1.2 billion
• Scope: Terminal expansion and runway improvements
• Lead Agencies/Contractors: Denver Airport Authority /

Category of the Issue, Problem, or Challenge
• Site Conditions
• Project Delay

Summary of the Issue, Problem, or Challenge
Unexpected poor soil conditions and high groundwater levels caused delays in foundation work and dewatering operations.

Root Cause Analysis

• Incomplete Geotechnical Data: Soil borings were insufficiently detailed or not representative.
• Underestimation of Groundwater Impacts: Dewatering requirements were more extensive than planned.
• Design Adjustments: Foundation designs had to be revised mid-construction.
• Procurement Delays: Specialized equipment for dewatering arrived late.

Impacts Due to the Issue, Problem, or Challenge

• Delay of 8 months.
• Increased costs for additional foundation works and dewatering.
• Contractor claims and schedule disputes.

Corrective Actions Taken

1. Increased geotechnical investigations for future phases.
2. Developed robust groundwater management plans.
3. Allowed flexible design adaptation and fast-track approvals.
4. Improved procurement planning for specialized equipment.

Lessons Learned

• Thorough site investigation prevents unexpected conditions.
• Groundwater management is critical for underground work.
• Flexibility and rapid response reduce delay impacts.

Audit & Prevention: Project Control Questions to Ask on Future Projects to Help Control the Situation

• Are geotechnical surveys comprehensive and current?
• Is groundwater impact assessed and mitigated?
• Are designs adaptable to changing site conditions?