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PUC reports WSIP is ~50% complete; committee approves most contract amendments and continues two items
Summary
The Public Utilities Commission told the committee the Water System Improvement Program is approximately 50% complete by expenditure, with major projects (Calaveras Dam, Bay Tunnel, Crystal Springs Bypass) underway; the committee approved five consultant contract amendments (items 6–10) to send forward and continued items 5 and 11 to the call of the chair.
The San Francisco Public Utilities Commission updated the Budget and Finance Committee on progress in the $4.59 billion Water System Improvement Program and sought five contract amendments for engineering and construction‑management services.
WSIP Director Julie Labonte said the program is roughly 50% complete by expenditure, with 24 projects in construction totaling about $2.6 billion and 50 projects completed. Major milestones include Calaveras Dam (construction begun), excavation of two large tunnels (including the Bay Tunnel under San Francisco Bay) and completion of the new Crystal Springs Bypass Tunnel. Labonte described typical large‑program risks — unforeseen site conditions, endangered‑species mitigation, regulatory changes and as‑built record limitations — and said the program aims to contain contract changes within 10% of award amounts.
The five consultant amendments total $7.2 million (about 2.8% of consultant delivery costs) and involve increases to agreements with MWH/AGS/Lee ($3.0M), URS ($1.0M), Kennedy/Jenks ($2.7M), Hatch Mott/McDonald ($2.5M) and AECOM ($8.0M increase noted in presentation; transcript states $8M amendment bringing AECOM to $34M with time extension). The budget analyst reported the five amendments raise the consultant not‑to‑exceed totals to approximately $97 million (an increase of $17.2 million, ~21.6% over existing amounts) and recommended approval. The committee voted to continue Items 5 and 11 to the call of the chair and to forward Items 6–10 with recommendation (motions recorded and passed without objection).
Public comment on these items was brief and not substantive. The PUC and budget office will provide further analysis to the Board as requested.
