Excellence in StewardshipField Engineers ConferenceNew Orleans, LouisianaAugust 9-10, 2004

Construction Oversight:Construction Oversight:They Build What We They Build What We

AcceptAccept

Jim Sorenson

Office of Asset Management

StewardshipStewardship

•Program Administration•Technology Deployment•Technical Assistance•Strategic Initiatives

•Project Development•Project Delivery•Maintenance/Operation•Oversight

Oversight and QualityOversight and Quality

Quality Construction is fundamental to meeting the FHWA’s national objectives. Improves system performance Reduces congestion and impacts on the

environment Improves safety by minimizing work zone

frequency, duration, and disruption of traffic flow

Improves the economic efficiency of our highway investments

Who wrote this Who wrote this report…report…“ …the effectiveness of the control and inspection procedures

right on the site where the actual project was being carried out was the spot where we found falsification. But they were doing exceptionally well on design for instance and in other areas in the various phases of acquisition, design work, contract award, all these were conducted on a high level. But at the spot where construction was carried out they were not complying with specification as to design and quality of material. At that point it broke down and some fraudulent reports were written by incompetent young men, underpaid, untrained and inexperienced……It is things such as this that we find over and over again. No matter how well the operation is planned and designed and spelled out in detail, at a given point we find there is a breakdown and at that point the whole operation or project breaks down.”

“…How widespread is it?....The disturbing this is we cannot prove that it isn’t widespread. In the face of this we must maintain the confidence of Congress in this Program.… The thing for you to look at is what is the attitude, what is the degree and level of confidence of Congress in you men, both on the Federal level and the State level…”

And 40 years later…And 40 years later…

The Honorable John A. Blatnik, chairman of the House Special Subcommittee on the Federal-aid Highway Program speaking on “Highways and the Congress”, at the 41st Annual AASHO Conference, June 1963.

Evolution of FHWA Evolution of FHWA OversightOversightThe Early Years

Federal/State Partnership concept evolved BPR oversight included

Periodic field checks Technical input into design and construction

problems.

Evolution of FHWA Evolution of FHWA OversightOversight1960’s - The Interstate Era

Federal-aid Highway Act signed 1957 Rapidly expanding program, and increased federal/state

workforce Serious concerns with financial management, corruption,

and lack of project oversight

House special investigative committee established in 1959.

BPR changed its oversight role Increased project level actions. Began delegation some oversight responsibilities to the

States

Evolution of FHWA Evolution of FHWA OversightOversight1970’s – Today - Increased State Flexibility

USDOT and FHWA formed, 1967 Continued delegation of oversight responsibility to

States Certification Acceptance initiated, 1973 Process/Program reviews

Legislative changes - ISTEA, TEA-21 offered States more independence.

Recent concerns with lack of oversight Some problems associated with major projects GAO and IG reports indicating lack of FHWA

oversight.

Evolution of FHWA Evolution of FHWA OversightOversight

PastPastPresePresentnt

Evolution of FHWA Evolution of FHWA OversightOversight

?

Future.Future.....

The Dilemma for The Dilemma for Today’s Field Today’s Field EngineersEngineers• Dwindling FTE

• Loss of expertise by attrition

• Increasingly politicized highway program

• Increasing congestion and highway construction delays

• Increasing public frustration at congestion and construction delays

• More complex program

• While our abilities and authority have been stretched - We are still responsible

Moving ForwardMoving Forward

Project to Program Reviews based on risk assessments Joint FHWA/State reviews

Building our Technical Expertise Training Easily accessible tools

Proactive Stewardship

Mary Peters - July 29, Mary Peters - July 29, 20042004

Things are certainly different today, but that doesn't have to be bad. I think it is up to us to reestablish in a new role. We certainly have a valuable role to play and much to contribute, it will just be in a different way than in the past. Likely more program than project related, and to be the guardian of a national transportation system, which is uniquely our role.

This Takes You :This Takes You : FHWA Eyes and FHWA Eyes and

EarsEars

Professional Value Added Improved Work Methods Sharing Technology Pro Active Partners

Truly a Transportation Leader

Available ResourcesAvailable Resources

Training • Conducting Reviews that Gets Results

• Just-in-time training for Teams to use for conducting effective process reviews

• Construction Program Management Training

Guidance• Construction Program Management and Inspection Guide

• Construction Program Guide Website

• National Highway Specifications Website

• Headquarters initiated process reviews

• QA Reviews underway

• Potential for expansion to other types of reviews.

Questions?Questions?

Contacts

Ken Jacoby

Office of Asset Management

202-366-6503

Jeff Lewis

CA Division

916-498-5035