OREANDA-NEWS. The Board of the Central Texas Regional Mobility Authority has approved an agreement with Design-Build Contractor CH2M HILL Engineers, Inc., to achieve substantial completion of the MoPac Improvement Project in 2016. CH2M and the Mobility Authority have been engaged in discussions since December 2015 to develop a firm schedule to provide congestion relief to the North MoPac Expressway this year.

“This has been a long and arduous process, and I commend CH2M Chair and CEO Jacqueline Hinman, as well as RMA Board Chairman Ray Wilkerson, for their hands-on involvement and many productive discussions to deliver this resolution,” says Mike Heiligenstein, Executive Director of the Mobility Authority.

Hinman commented, “The Mopac Improvement Project resolution provides both CTRMA and CH2M with a definitive path forward to complete the project. Key stakeholders are aligned, making every effort on this final phase of construction to deliver a superb project by the end of the year. We could not have achieved such alignment without the leadership efforts of Mike Heiligenstein and Ray Wilkerson, the strong working relationships between the CTRMA and CH2M project teams, and the support of federal, state and local project stakeholders. We’re all pulling together to achieve a positive outcome for the people of Austin.”

The agreement provides a schedule for substantial completion of the northbound and southbound lanes, from north of RR 2222 to near Parmer Lane by Summer 2016 and the entire project by the end of 2016. The project will enter into the final phase of construction within the next week and CH2M has committed itself to meeting critical milestones to ensure timely progress. As part of the agreement, upon adherence to schedule metrics and revised completion dates, the Mobility Authority has agreed to withdraw a Notice of Default that was issued in December 2015.

CH2M will seek resolution of outstanding claims through a contractual Dispute Resolution Board (DRB) process, whereby each party will present its position and the DRB Board will render a finding regarding the merits of each claim.

Both the Mobility Authority and CH2M are pleased to provide greater certainty regarding project completion and look forward to bringing improved quality of life to residents who live along the corridor and greater mobility to those who drive in on a regular basis.