Case Study: Delay from Adverse Weather on I-95 Reconstruction (Virginia, 2013)

Project Overview
• Name: I-95 Corridor Reconstruction
• Location: Virginia
• Year: 2013
• Project Size: $1.1 billion
• Scope: Widening and resurfacing of interstate highway section
• Lead Agencies/Contractors: Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) /

Category of the Issue, Problem, or Challenge
• Weather Impact
• Project Delay

Summary of the Issue, Problem, or Challenge
Frequent heavy rains and storms disrupted work schedules, leading to project delays.

Root Cause Analysis

• Unpredictable Weather Patterns: Higher-than-average rainfall for the region during construction.
• Insufficient Contingency Planning: Limited allowances for weather in schedule and budgets.
• Inadequate Drainage Controls: Site flooding further hampered progress.
• Delayed Weather Response: Slow implementation of weather mitigation measures.

Impacts Due to the Issue, Problem, or Challenge

• Construction delayed by 7 months.
• Increased costs due to extended equipment rentals and labor.
• Negative impacts on traffic management and public perception.

Corrective Actions Taken

1. Improved weather forecasting integration into project management.
2. Increased schedule contingencies for weather-related impacts.
3. Enhanced site drainage systems to mitigate flooding.
4. Developed rapid response plans for weather-related disruptions.

Lessons Learned

• Weather risk must be explicitly addressed in planning.
• Effective drainage and site prep reduce weather delays.
• Proactive mitigation and contingency planning improve resilience.

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

• Are weather impacts realistically factored into the schedule?
• Is site drainage designed to handle extreme conditions?
• Are rapid response procedures for weather disruptions established?