Stopping and Re-Starting a $90 Million Pipeline Project Is Harder Than It Looks

Denver Water has embarked on a decade-long process of renewing their North System Facilities. These facilities include reservoirs, raw water transmission mains, and the Moffat Water Treatment Plant. A key element of this system is an 8.5 mile long, 84-inch diameter transmission main that will convey treated water from the new Northwater Treatment Plant to the existing Moffat Water Treatment Plant being re-purposed as a terminal reservoir and distribution facility. Originally planned as a raw water pipeline delivering water to an expanded Moffat Water Treatment Plant, this transmission main became a treated water line when the decision was made to build the new Northwater WTP. Design progressed on the treated waterline until the complexity, timeline, and cash flow of the revised system dictated a pause in the design at approximately 60 percent design level to allow the owner to plan the overall system project delivery. The design shutdown spanned approximately 14 months, after which the treated waterline project was restarted, and the first of 4 design packages has been delivered and is under construction. The consultant and owner performed the shutdown of the project as a coordinated, structured activity. Several measures to facilitate a smooth restart were undertaken at the time of shutdown including: a shutdown memorandum documenting work in progress, record of decisions, outstanding action items, jurisdictional contacts, etc.; formally archiving files; jurisdictional notifications; and public notifications. However, shutdown and startup of a large design project has provided insight into best practices, opportunities, pitfalls, and lessons learned. Several challenges needed to be overcome in the initial 12 months of the restart including: re-assembling both the owner and consultant team; whether or not to re-validate previous decisions; whether to progress design based on pre-shutdown submittals; developing a realistic budget and scope for project completion; and re-establishing previous jurisdictional and public connections. The project team has identified several significant lessons learned that would prove valuable to others facing similar circumstances.