The Project
The Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program makes use of project planning as a tool in project management through the use schedules. The project’s schedule indicates that it is to be led by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) in partnership with the Federal Highway Administration and various administrative organs in King County. The project schedule indicates that Washington State is responsible for the funding of thirty-one of the projects envisaged under the program. It also identifies the scope of works to be undertaken from the inception of the project in 2007 to date as illustrated by the monthly schedules that Seattle Tunnel Partners (STP) (the main contractors for the SR 99 tunnel) provides. The Work Breakdown Structure of the project entails a decomposition of the project into four main segments: South-end replacement, SR 99 tunnel, mitigation projects, and miscellaneous projects (Washington State Department of Transportation). Each of the segments and the accompanying works have a start and an end date, and each is designated as either complete or in progress.
How the Site Comes Close to Providing Full PERT/CPM Diagrams and Gantt Charts to the Public
Gantt charts give a visual outline of the tasks involved in a particular project and the length of time it will take. PERT charts also help in the planning of the tasks to be undertaken in order to complete a given project on time. The two tools have been effectively used in relaying information about the program to the public. This is illustrated in the monthly schedules that STP has to provide to the Washington State Department of Transportation which then publishes the same on its website. Given the huge scope of the program, a high level of detail is warranted. This is in order to give a practical evaluation of the project as well as act as the medium of communication to the stakeholders. Communication is particularly important given that the program is a public one being funded by the taxpayers. The high level of detail is also important in order to illustrate the vast dependency relationships that the project presents. An example would be that electrical lines have to be relocated before tunnel boring can proceed.
How Current Costs Compare with Initial Estimates
According to a 2015 report by the Expert Review Panel (ERP) (set up to monitor and evaluate the program’s progress), most of the contracts as of 2014 would be/were completed below the original projected costs (Washington State Department of Transportation). As a result, it eliminated the need for project crashing. This is in line with the intentions of the Washington State Department of Transportation and the other stakeholders to complete the program in time and within the projected budget. This underlines the emphasis on risk anticipation and mitigation that the department put in place during the planning phase of the project. It is also because any funding shortfalls attributed to one source would always be plugged by the funding surpluses of another source. An example would be the additional funding provided by WSDOT from funds sourced from outside the program and increased funding commitment by Port of Seattle. The additional funds were offset by $200 million toll funding ceiling set by the legislature in 2012 down from the 2009 ceiling of $400 million.
About Simulations and Videos of the Project
The raw and simulated videos provided illustrate aspects of intensive project planning. In one of the videos “Why a new SR 99 roadway near the Southlake Union keeps both cars and crews moving” (Washington State Department of Transportation), there is an insight into the project planning that took place in which some sections of the road are kept open while others are closed off to traffic for construction. The interchange is meant to facilitate the construction while ensuring minimal disruption to traffic. The simulated videos show an aspect of superior design.
Works Cited
Washington State Department of Transportation. “Alaskan Way Viaduct Replacement Program.”
Wsdot.wa.gov 2016. Web. June 21, 2016.
