Multiple Contractors on site: friends or foes?

Gulf News have published yesterday an article on the preference of developers such as Damac to hire multiple contractors for the same project. The argument for this is "..ensuring (the project) doesn't get bogged down by costly delays".

The main problem that will result out of this approach for developers is the responsibility to handle coordination between the various contractors involved. Though projects will be broken down into packages or phases; rarely are these phases independent from one another which means that the consequence of the delay from one contractor may still possibly transcend to all contractors.

In addition, having multiple contractors on site sometimes proves to be cost inefficient due to various factors and reasons, and in a fast track project, matters such as site possession may prove to be extremely problematic.

Surely the hiring of multiple contractors on site also has it advantages, but to avail of these, the developers will need to seriously consider hiring a project management consultant to mitigate from the disadvantages that can arise from it.

What are your thoughts on this approach?

Stakeholder Management: Dubai Canal Project

The Dubai Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) had recently announced via the media and its own social media outlets the planned road diversion works for the Dubai Canal Project.

Stakeholders contribute tremendously to the success of construction projects. A project stakeholder is defined as a person, persons, and/or entities that have an interest in the project. In addition to everyone working directly on the project, stakeholders can also include individuals, people, and/or entities operating outside the project, and also outside the organization(s) but still involved with the project in one way or another. 

The Project Management Institute (PMI) identifies Stakeholder Management as a Knowledge Area, and defines it as the processes required to identifying all individuals and entities that could affect, or be affected by, the project. It also includes understanding the expectations of the stakeholders from this project, and the level of impact each stakeholder has; and ultimately, developing a plan of action to engage, manage and control the involvement and expectations of the stakeholders in order to ensure project success.

Power-Interest Grid

During stakeholder analysis, it is vital to evaluate the impact each stakeholder generates. One way of doing so is by using the above Power-Interest Grid. With critical factors already in place that challenge the project success, this step aids tremendously in identifying what needs to be done to rightly engage stakeholders with the project, and in due time if needs be, their commitment to supporting its success.

Both the Contractor on-site, and the RTA, realize that the public at-large utilizing Sheikh Zayed Road for their daily commutes will surely have a high interest in the progress of the Dubai Canal Project, yet the impact that the public has on the progress of this project is considered low. Therefore, and in addition for safety aspects, the 'Keep Informed' approach is implemented. 

As another example, for the Contractor, the RTA Liaison Engineer assigned has a high level of impact on this project, and also has a high level of interest in it. Therefore, the Contractor will need to implement the 'Manage Closely' approach to ensure the project success.

Construction Method: Identification of Existing Underground Utilities

One of the early activities taking place in any construction project in the UAE is the identification of existing underground utilities (or services). A contractor operating in Dubai will need to expect to find one or more utility lines operated by the following government authorities within the confinement of his project limits:

• DEWA 
• Dubai Municipality
• du
• Etisalat
• RTA 

Quite often, some contractors don't invest much diligence in the process of identifying what utilities existing underground which, as a consequence, results in the damage of those utility lines and ultimately, the imposition of hefty fines borne by the contractor. It is worth noting that some of those fine may reach up to hundreds of thousands in value, if not more!

To identify underground utilities, the contractor is required to carry out two steps. The first is to obtain the as-built drawings that reflect the existing services. The contractor then is to set out the location of those utilities as determined by the coordinates extracted from the drawing. 

The second step that follows is for the contractor to carry out a visual inspection of the site to determine if there are any utility markers or manholes found on the project site that may not be reflected on the as-built drawing. If those are found, the contractor will then need to survey all those markers and manholes and include them in the as-built drawing and submit them for the Engineer's records.

The contractor will then need to prepare a shop drawing that indicates the location of the proposed trial pits (sometimes referred as trial trenches) and submit this for the approval of the Engineer. The locations of the trial pit is to coincide with the utilities route identified on the as-built.

Once approved, and after obtaining all the necessary permits (NOCs), the contractor will need to cordon off the trial pits areas with the use of a barricade system that is determined by the depth of the proposed pit. The barricade system will need to allow for sufficient work space that takes into consideration a number of factors including the area required to store the excavated material from the pit. To avoid any damages to the utility lines, it is highly recommended that the excavation is carried out by hand shovels. Most (if not all) live underground utility lines in Dubai are placed under a buried tape marker (or cover tile) that identifies the type of service placed beneath it. Remember: before relocating any utility line, make sure to disconnect the live service lines by applying for the relevant permits in advance, and involving the authorities during the shut-down phase.

Detectable warning tape

Polyethylene Warning Tapes 

Polyethylene Cable Cover Tile

HDPE Cable Cover

Once all trial pits have been excavated, and the utility lines have been revealed, the contractor will need to submit for the Engineer's records a cross-section of each trial pit excavated. To avoid confusion, it is advisable that the contractor numbers the proposed trial pits on the layout drawing, then use the same numbering system to identify the pits on the site, as well as when submitting the cross-section drawings of the excavated pits. If the contractor reveals a utility line that has not been identified by either the as-built drawing or the on-site visual inspection, it is good practice (and a contractual requirement) that the contractor marks this line on the as-built drawings, and if necessary, conducts further trial pits to determine the direction of the line's route in order to assess if relocation works will be required. 

Once all existing underground utilities have been identified, the contractor may then proceed with major excavation works in areas clear of any services and also in developing a utilities relocation plan for all identified services.

To recap, in order for the contractor to identify underground utilities, the following steps will need to be carried out:

• Marking existing routes as per as-built drawings
• Visual inspection to identify any services not reflected on the as-built drawings
• Submitting a Trial Pits Layout drawing for the approval of the Engineer
• Application of all necessary permits
• Cordoning off the area using a barricade system for safety purposes
• Excavating trial pits using hand shovels
• Survey findings, and submit cross-sections of trial pits excavated for the Engineer's records
• Conduct further trial pits if deemed necessary due to discovery of unforeseen underground utilities

What other measures do you think are considered best practice to identify existing underground services?

Images credit: 

Trial Pit - Gulf News

Tape Markers and Cover Tiles - Alinshira.com

Project Focus: Dubai Canal Project

The Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) had announced that it will be moving forward with the construction of the Dubai Canal Project planned to alter majorly the current look of the Safa Park area. The project has been broken down in to 3 phases as follows:

Phase 1 SOW:

Phase 1 of the project will mainly consist of the construction of a bridge on Sheikh Zayed Road that passes through the highest point of the of the canal, allowing for free maritime movement around the clock.

Phase 1 value: AED 500million

Phase 1 contractors: Mapa and Gunal

Project status: Site mobilization, minor road diversions, and identification, and relocation of existing utilities

Expected date of completion: 4th quarter of 2016

Road diversion near Safa Park

Trench Excavation

Phase 2 SOW:

Construction of 6-lane bridges on Al Wasl and Jumeirah Roads. The scope also includes construction of a multi-tier interchange, providing a traffic link between Al Wasl, Al Hadiqa, and Al Athar roads replacing the existing light junction. The contract also covers utility diversion works beneath the planned Canal, in addition to the construction of spare conduits for utility lines underneath the Canal to meet projected future requirements.

Dubai Canal Project Phase 2 rendering

Phase 2 value: AED 384million

Phase 2 contractor: China State Corporation

Project status: Site mobilization

Expected date of completion: 4th quarter of 2016, to coincide with Phase 1

Phase 3 SOW:

This phase will include digging the Canal linking the Creek with the Arabian Gulf extending from Sheikh Zayed Road, passing across Safa Park and Jumeirah 2, and terminating at the Arabian Gulf near the southern end of Jumeirah Beach Park. The project also includes drilling the water canal, constructing the sides of the canal, constructing three footbridges linking the two banks of the canal, and constructing four marine transit stations to boost the role of marine transport as a convenient and effective transit means. Phase 3 also includes filling works to construct an artificial peninsula across the Jumeirah Park; which will double the length of the park beach, increase the area of the park, and offer room for adding more recreational activities.

Phase 3 value: AED 802million

Phase 3 contractor: Belhasa Six Construct

Project status: Site possession, identification of existing utilities

Expected date of completion: 2016; along with phases 1 and 2

A few anticipated challenges for the Contractors on-site:

Given that the 3 phases are expected to be completed, more or less, at the same time; one of the challenges that will be faced by the contractors is coordination of works among them especially at areas where the phases meet; or the construction activity of one contractor will require the completion of predecessor activity that is within the scope of works of another contractor.

A second challenge that may be faced by all contractors on site is the identification of existing, and ultimately the relocation, of existing utilities. The Safa Park area is a relatively old area that did not witness major construction works such as that planned for the Dubai Canal Project which means that there is always a risk of damaging existing utilities that have not been identified on the as-built drawings handed over to the contractors. Damaging of existing utilities normally incurs fines imposed by the authorities that operate those utilities, and therefore, all contractors on site should be adamant on identifying all those utilities in place by way of confirming visual site inspection, and trial trenches.

Given the proximity of the project to a live major highway, all contractors need to ensure high safety standards in all the temporary and permanent works they will be conducting which includes excavation, and road traffic diversion as examples. The last thing any contractor will want is to compromise the stability of the existing highway due to the foreseen construction works.