Penn Pike hiring firms for I-80 toll conversion (UPDATED)

Lunchtime today was the deadline for engineering firms wanting work at the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission on the I-80 Toll Conversion Project. The RFP (Reference # 6-006)is for four open end contracts for engineering design services to enable the tolling of I-80. A 4-page document it is signed by Allen Biehler, chairman.

The deadline for applications was originally yesterday but was postponed a day - probably because of the big snows.

The RFP begins:

"The Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission will retain four (4) engineering firms to perform engineering design services on an Open End Contract basis for the I-80 Toll Conversion Project. Each contract will each be for a period of four (4) years or $5,000,000.00, whichever occurs first.

"It is envisioned that these open end contracts will initiate some of the engineering work required for the overall toll conversion. The services will encompass a wide range of design efforts with the possibility of several different types of projects being assigned under short completion schedules.

"The anticipated types of projects include bridge replacements or bridge rehabilitation with approach work; roadway rehabilitation or resurfacing projects; capital improvement projects (bridges or roadway); location studies, traffic/ITS engineering, drainage modifications or any other engineering-related activity as determined by the Engineering Department to expedite a project..."

see http://www.paturnpike.com/OUTPUT/PDFs/e334.pdf

One source expressed surprise that the Turnpike would not wait on the US Government announcement of its decision on whether tolling of I-80 is permissible under federal law - a decision that is supposedly imminent.

In the final sentence of the RFP the Commission reserves the right to cancel the solicitation.

Turnpike explanation

Carl DeFebo a spokesman for the Turnpike says: "The ISRRPP (relevant federal law - TRnews) requires that some "Year 0" capital-improvement projects are to be in construction even before any tolls would be collected on I-80. So, we need to be prepared to design some projects and get a construction contractor on board with dirt flying sometime later this calendar year, around fall.

"Because of this requirement, and the lead time needed for the procurement process, we are getting the design firms in place, but no work would be done or money spent just yet. That will wait for definitive word from FHWA.

"This way, the firms are on standby, at no cost to PTC, and ready to go in case of a 'yes.' If it's a 'no,' then the agreements are terminated as you point out in your story. Because of the fast-approaching tolling target date of fall 2011, the tolling implementation team felt it necessary to take this step -- which might appear a tad presumptuous but is really just planning ahead."

TOLLROADSnews 2010-02-12 ADDITION TURNPIKE EXPLANATION 2010-02-13