House approves limits on design‑build awards under $5M and an annual oversized‑permit option

Lawmakers on the House floor approved measures to speed certain transportation projects and reduce permitting paperwork for recurring oversized shipments.

Representative Julie Fisher said HB267 ‘‘will allow UDOT to award a design‑build construction contract for projects less than $5,000,000 and if a single qualified and acceptable bid is received,’’ noting the change would prevent repeated re‑advertising and the delays that can slow projects. Representative Steve Clark and others questioned whether design‑build saves money; sponsors said the method can save time and, on small packaged projects, can also save money by bundling work.

Representative Wallace offered an amendment to add a stop date (07/10/2010) and require review by the Transportation Interim Committee and the Government Operations Interim Committee prior to 11/30/2009; sponsors described the amendment as a mechanism for oversight and evaluation, and the amendment was adopted. Representatives emphasized that UDOT would still prepare engineer estimates and retains authority to reject or seek approval for awards that exceed estimates.

The House passed HB267 as amended, 71‑2. In a related vote, Representative Carrie Gibson won approval for HB293 to allow the Department of Transportation to issue annual oversized permits for specific recurring routes, a change described as reducing paperwork; HB293 passed 70‑0 and will be referred to the Senate.

Both measures were presented as ways to keep projects moving in a slow market and reduce administrative burdens on industry and the department.