No "I" in team or in ADOT Partnering

By Caroline Carpenter / ADOT Communications

They say there’s no “I” in team. ADOT takes this saying to heart when it comes to construction projects.

Twenty-five years ago, ADOT came up with a structured partnering program for the many groups involved in projects – contractors, ADOT engineers, consultants and local officials. Partnering is a formal communication program that creates team goals so everyone involved can work together successfully.

In 1991, conflicts during the construction process cost ADOT nearly $40 million. Since then, the ADOT partnering program has nearly eliminated legal action, saving taxpayers many millions of dollars in legal fees.

“Partnering provides tools to help resolve issues in a more productive way,” ADOT Partnering Administrator Bonnie Opie says. “The techniques used in partnering can also improve communication in your personal relationships and when working with groups outside of work.”

Each year outstanding partnering teams are recognized with the Arizona Transportation Partnering Excellence Award. Twelve teams showing a high degree of achievement through their use of partnering principles and processes were presented with the award.

Roadway (Under $5 Million)

• ADOT I-10 Deck Park Tunnel Drainage Improvements - J. Banicki Construction Inc., Arizona Department of Transportation, City of Phoenix, Technicoat Management, Insituform, Metro Traffic Control, Recon Inc., Civiltec Engineering Inc.
• ADOT I-17 McGuireville Rockfall Containment Project - Fann Contracting Inc., Arizona Department of Transportation, Gannet Fleming, The Ground Level Co., Adams Contracting Inc., RGG United Contractors Inc.
• ADOT I-40 Kingman - Ash Fork Hwy US 93 - Silver Springs Road - Fann Contracting Inc., Arizona Department of Transportation,
• ADOT Williams - Grand Canyon Cameron SR 64 - Grand Canyon Airport Road to FS Road 328 - Fann Contracting Inc., Arizona Department of Transportation Parsons Brinckerhoff, Town of Tusayan, U.S. Forest Service, Grand Canyon National Park – South Rim

Roadway ($5 Million to $25 Million)

• Pima County DOT Valencia Road (Mark Road to Wade Road) - Achen-Gardner Construction LLC, Pima County Department of Transportation
• ADOT San Luis - Yuma - Quartzsite Highway (US 95) International Border to Juan Sanchez Blvd Haydon Building Corp., Arizona Department of Transportation Southwest District, City of San Luis, Yuma County, Huitt-Zollars, Core Engineering Group
• ADOT SR 264 Cross Canyon to Summit Sunland Inc., Asphalt & Seal Coating, Arizona Department of Transportation, Consultant Engineering Inc. (CEI)
• ADOT I 15 Virgin River Bridge No. 6 Pulice Construction Inc., Wadsworth Brothers Construction (Pulice-Wadsworth JV), Jacobs Engineering Group, Arizona Department of Transportation Bridge Group, Arizona Department of Transportation North Central District

Roadway (Over $25 Million)

• ADOT US 60, Grand Avenue / SR 303Traffic Interchange - Haydon Building Corp., Arizona Department of Transportation, Stanley Consultants, Federal Highway Administration
• ADOT US 89 – SR 64 to Little Colorado River - Vastco Inc., Arizona Department of Transportation
• ADOT SR 202L (Red Mountain Freeway), SR 101L (Pima Freeway) to Broadway Road - Pulice-Granite Red Mtn JV, Arizona Department of Transportation, AZTEC Engineering Group Inc., Stanley Consultants Inc., WSP | Parsons Brinckerhoff

Other Transportation Infrastructure (Over $25 Million)

• City of Phoenix Sundt/Stacy & Witbeck Joint Venture, Northwest Light Rail Extension - Sundt/Stacy & Witbeck Joint Venture, AECOM, City of Phoenix, Valley Metro

Visit ADOT Programs and Partnerships to learn more about the process.