Case Study: Washington D.C. 11th Street Bridge Project – Public-Private Partnership Delivery Challenges (2014)
Project Overview
• Name: 11th Street Bridge Replacement
• Location: Washington, D.C.
• Year: 2014
• Project Size: $230 million
• Scope: Replacement of existing bridge using a Public-Private Partnership (P3) model
• Lead Agencies/Contractors: D.C. Department of Transportation, Private Consortium
Category of the Issue, Problem, or Challenge
• Project Delivery Method
• Public-Private Partnership (P3)
Summary of the Issue, Problem, or Challenge
Disputes over scope changes, funding allocations, and performance metrics between public agency and private partner caused construction delays and strained contractual relations. The novelty of P3 delivery created learning curves and coordination challenges.
Root Cause Analysis
- Ambiguous performance standards and funding responsibilities.
- Conflicting priorities between public service goals and private profit motives.
- Limited experience with P3 contractual frameworks.
- Insufficient stakeholder communication early in construction.
Impacts Due to the Issue, Problem, or Challenge
• Schedule delays of 4-5 months.
• Additional costs incurred for contract renegotiations.
• Reduced trust between public and private partners affecting project delivery.
Corrective Actions Taken
- Clarified contract terms relating to scope and performance requirements.
- Established joint governance committees for oversight and dispute resolution.
- Enhanced P3-specific training for agency and contractor staff.
- Improved communication channels and stakeholder engagement.
Lessons Learned
- Clear contract terms and aligned incentives are vital for P3 success.
- Collaborative governance structures improve project outcomes.
- Experience and training reduce risks in innovative delivery methods.
- Early, transparent communication prevents misunderstandings.
Audit & Prevention: Project Control Questions to Ask on Future Projects to Help Control the Situation
- Are contract terms clear on scope, risk, and performance?
- Is governance structured to support collaboration?
- Are agency and contractor staff trained on P3 delivery?
- Are communication and stakeholder engagement processes robust?