Committee approves recommending CMGC contracting for Burkhard Bridge replacement to meet federal grant deadline

The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee voted July 21 to forward to full council a measure authorizing an exemption to competitive bidding and the use of the Construction Manager/General Contractor (CMGC) alternative contracting method for the Burkhard Bridge resiliency and multimodal enhancement project.

PBOT staff and the Deputy City Administrator for Public Works told the committee the northside bridge — which PBOT said was struck by a train in 2020 and remains in poor condition — has funding from a federal Bridge Investment Program grant awarded in 2022. Winston Sandino, PBOT project manager for the Burg(h)ard Bridge project, said the total project cost is estimated at about $17 million, with the federal grant covering roughly $13 million and PBOT contributing a 20% match (approximately $3.0 million) from heavy vehicle use tax revenues.

Sandino and staff explained that the CMGC method allows a contractor to join the team during design to collaborate on constructability and scheduling; PBOT argued CMGC is the only realistic path to obligate construction funds before the federal program’s September deadline because the conventional design‑bid‑build sequence would not finish environmental review and meet the grant’s timeline. “The CMGC approach allows for routine dialogue between the owner, the designer, and the CMGC while the project is being designed,” Sandino said.

Committee members asked about union labor, cost savings and precedent for CMGC. Councilor Koyama Lane asked about union labor and whether the method changes risk or tradeoffs; staff said CMGC provides schedule certainty and earlier contractor input on cost‑saving opportunities and that CMGC has been used by other agencies such as TriMet. Councilor Green asked if the city typically uses CMGC and whether expected savings materialize; staff said PBOT and other bureaus have used CMGC projects previously and that the principal risk is missing the grant obligation deadline if the city used design‑bid‑build.

Council members raised a separate question about responsibility for the collision; PBOT Director Millicent Williams said staff made a safety‑and‑risk determination and pursued federal funds to fully replace the structure and that the grant funding is obligated to the city. No public testimony was registered.

The committee voted by roll call; Koyama Lane, Murillo, Green and Clark recorded ayes, and the clerk announced that with four ayes the emergency ordinance will move to full council with a do‑pass recommendation.

Next steps: PBOT will present the emergency ordinance (document number 2025‑2285) to full council; staff said CMGC will allow them to meet the federal obligation schedule and proceed with design‑build coordination.