ODOT Issues Notice of Default to Design Builder on US 20

The Pioneer Mountain to Eddyville Project has been stalled since 2010

(CORVALLIS, OR.) - The Oregon Department of Transportation is issuing Notice of Default to Yaquina River Constructors (Granite Construction Company), the Design Builder on the U.S. 20: Pioneer Mountain to Eddyville Project.

Under the terms of the Design Build contract, Yaquina River Constructors and its sureties have 10 days to correct the default to ODOT’s satisfaction, or the sureties have 10 days to submit to ODOT a proposal for correction satisfactory to ODOT. If that does not occur, one of the actions ODOT can take is to terminate the contract for default. Whatever approach is taken, ODOT intends to hold the Design Builder and its sureties financially responsible.

The Pioneer Mountain/Eddyville Project is creating a new, straighter 5.5 mile segment of U.S. 20 between Corvallis and Newport to replace an existing narrow, 10 mile segment with hairpin turns and no passing lanes.

Under a Design Build contract, responsibility for engineering, design and construction of a project is held by the Design Builder. Work on the project has been stalled since early 2010, when it was discovered that several of its bridge columns had moved out of plumb.

The Design Builder, Yaquina River Constructors, has made no acceptable progress on four major bridge sections and other related work since then.

Source: Oregon Dept of Transportation (ODOT) Project website: www.us20pme.com