No, Bridge Forward supports construction of the New Companion Bridge.

No, Bridge Forward is not going to cause delays because ODOT has committed to a Progressive Design Build process. Design Build means that construction can begin prior to completion of all the design engineering. You continue design on the complex parts while you build the straightforward parts of the project. Progressive means that the owners work together with the designers and construction contractors to achieve the mutually desired outcomes.

A Progressive Design Build means that ODOT is not going the usual route of finalizing the design, taking bids, then building the project in three separate steps.

Instead a Design Engineering & Construction Contractor (or a partnership of companies) will be selected. The Contractor and ODOT then work together to create the design with the input of local communities.

But, ODOT is instead giving the Contractor its plan from 20 years ago and telling them to use that as the “base design”, without real discussion about the current needs and conditions in our community.

In fact, the current ODOT plan is almost as much of “just an idea” as Bridge Forward's plan. Based on the age of their design, ODOTs actual engineering drawings may be less than 5% complete, and even that information has to be verified by the Contractor. ODOT does not gain any time savings, except getting to ignore Cincinnati.