Case Study: Miami Port Tunnel Project – P3 Delivery and Construction Schedule Integration Issues (2010)
Project Overview
• Name: Miami Port Tunnel Project
• Location: Miami, Florida
• Year: 2010
• Project Size: $600 million
• Scope: Construction of a deep-bore tunnel connecting port facilities using a Public-Private Partnership (P3)
• Lead Agencies/Contractors: Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT), Private Consortium
Category of the Issue, Problem, or Challenge
• Project Delivery Method
• Public-Private Partnership (P3)
Summary of the Issue, Problem, or Challenge
The construction schedule suffered delays due to poor integration of construction sequencing between tunnel boring, roadway works, and systems installation under the P3 delivery model. Disparate scheduling tools and lack of a centralized schedule owner worsened coordination.
Root Cause Analysis
- Multiple stakeholders using different scheduling software and standards.
- Lack of centralized schedule ownership and control.
- Insufficient integration of systems installation milestones with civil works.
- Delayed decision-making due to governance complexity.
Impacts Due to the Issue, Problem, or Challenge
• Schedule extension by 5 months.
• Increased costs of approximately $25 million.
• Risk of cascading delays in related port operations.
Corrective Actions Taken
- Established a centralized scheduling team with authority.
- Standardized scheduling tools and formats across stakeholders.
- Improved integration of systems installation milestones into the master schedule.
- Streamlined governance decision processes.
Lessons Learned
- Centralized schedule control is vital in complex P3 projects.
- Standardized tools enhance schedule integration.
- Early integration of systems and civil milestones prevents delays.
- Efficient governance speeds decision-making.
Audit & Prevention: Project Control Questions to Ask on Future Projects to Help Control the Situation
- Is there a centralized schedule owner with authority?
- Are scheduling tools standardized among stakeholders?
- Are systems installation milestones integrated early?
- Is governance optimized for timely decisions?