Case Study: I-95/I-295 Interchange – Change Orders from Stormwater System Redesign (2021)
Project Overview
• Name: I-95/I-295 Interchange Improvements
• Location: Jacksonville, Florida
• Year: 2021
• Project Size: $176 million
• Scope: Major highway interchange reconfiguration and drainage overhaul
• Lead Agencies/Contractors: Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) /
Category of the Issue, Problem, or Challenge
• Contract Change Order
• Environmental Design
Summary of the Issue, Problem, or Challenge
During excavation and early stormwater system installation, it was discovered that the approved drainage design did not meet new regional water management criteria. The contractor was directed to stop work on all affected drainage elements while a complete redesign was undertaken. Change orders followed for delay, rework, and material disposal.
Root Cause Analysis
- Misalignment between original drainage design and updated water quality standards
- Insufficient coordination with regional water management agency
- Redesign triggered after start of construction
- Absence of constructability review on drainage phasing
Impacts Due to the Issue, Problem, or Challenge
• 7-month delay on interchange progress
• $18 million in change order claims
• Additional costs from material loss and dewatering needs
Corrective Actions Taken
- Formalized design coordination meetings with regional water boards pre-bid
- Revised contract to include early permitting verification milestones
- Implemented phasing plans that isolate design-sensitive work packages
- Required drainage system mock-ups and phased review before mass construction
Lessons Learned
- Stormwater and drainage systems must be verified against current environmental codes
- Regulatory agency coordination should occur before bid—not during construction
- Phased work can mitigate risk of change orders from design error
- Delays from utility or environmental redesigns are preventable with early review
Audit & Prevention: Project Control Questions to Ask on Future Projects to Help Control the Situation
- Were all drainage designs approved by relevant agencies before bid?
- Is there a mechanism for verifying design compliance against evolving standards?
- Has phased permitting been considered for at-risk systems?
- Are drainage systems included in constructability reviews?