Fluor JV wins US$ 1.1 billion road expansion contract

Provo River Constructors, a Fluor-led joint venture will head up the expansion of the I-15 Corridor Reconstruction (CORE) project, the major north-south commuter route between Salt Lake City and the Provo/Orem region, US.

The US$ 1.1 billion design-build contract will be carried out on behalf of the Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT) and involves adding two lanes in both directions over 37 km, from American Fork to Provo. The project will also extend the existing express lane from Orem to Provo.

Additionally, aging 1960s bridges and outdated and congested interchanges will be redesigned, modified and/or replaced to increase mobility and safety.

In a statement from Fluor it said the company will book its 40% share of the project into backlog when the contract is signed and all material financing uncertainties have been resolved, which is expected to be no later than the first quarter of 2010. Utah State previously authorised a revenue and bond package to support the project.

Patrick Flaherty, head of Fluor's infrastructure business line, said, "Fluor's track record of successfully completing design-build road projects and delivering value to our transportation clients across the US is an area in which we take great pride.

"Fluor developed an excellent relationship with UDOT during the Legacy Parkway project from 2000 to 2003 and we look forward to building on that relationship to deliver the I-15 project with excellence," Mr Flaherty added.

Provo River Constructors JV includes Ames Construction, Ralph L. Wadsworth Construction Company and Wadsworth Brothers Construction.

As managing partner, Fluor will be responsible for all construction including roads, drainage and bridges.

Other members of the team include lead designer, Fluor-HDR Global Design Consultants LLC and subcontractors, Jacobs Engineering, Michael Baker Jr., and Kleinfelter West.