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FAA height limit forces crane change orders at Pilgrim High School; committee approves owner share of $41,513
Summary
Project staff told the committee that FAA restrictions limiting crane reach to 119 feet forced extra crane relocations and logistics, producing a subcontractor claim of roughly $170,000; the committee approved an owner contingency charge of $41,513 as part of PCO 950240.
Project managers told the committee that a Federal Aviation Administration restriction on crane height for Pilgrim High School changed the logistics of steel erection and increased costs. Staff explained the subcontractor originally priced for typical crane reach had to buy and operate a shorter crane, which required more relocations and additional shipping and overtime that produced a roughly $170,000 subcontractor claim. After negotiations, the project team proposed splitting the cost between contingencies; the owner's share was presented as $41,513 and the committee approved that PCO (PCO 950240).
Project staff said the FAA limit (119 feet) was not discoverable in pre-bid documents and described months of back-and-forth with the FAA, including a two-month delay while federal offices were shut down. Staff also said some mitigation funds tied to winter-condition allowances would be reallocated to offset parts of the claim. Committee members pressed staff on whether a waiver or alternative FAA permit process could restore a taller crane window; staff said applying for a new FAA permit would take four to eight weeks and that they had already pursued local conversations with Providence Airport.
Members emphasized schedule risk: using the smaller crane added days to the erection schedule but using Saturdays and overtime could recover some time. A separate PCO for overtime days (PCO 950241) was also approved, with the construction manager agreeing to cover anything beyond an agreed allowance.
What was decided: The committee approved PCO 950240 (owner share $41,513) and PCO 950241 (overtime split approach). Staff will continue to pursue FAA options and will report back if additional relief or credits are obtained.
