VDOT doesn’t know how much U.S. 460 subcontractors have been paid
By Travis Fain, Daily Press (Newport News, Va.) | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
The department may not even have the names of every company involved in the project, which has cost more than
It also doesn't know how much profit the project's lead contractor, U.S. 460
This is not unusual, according to
"If this was public information, it would affect the competitive process going forward," Rollison said. "Every contractor would know what its competitors are paying to subcontractors."
U.S. 460 Mobility spokeswoman
But a joint report on the project by an internal team at
Transportation Secretary
But it also found "an inherent risk that the vendor could overstate the value of certain work performed to maximize revenue early in a project," suggested better access to financial records for future contracts, and called for clearer definitions for expense categories, including "mobilization."
The review concluded what project critics have complained about for months: That Gov.
It recommends a number of changes to the state's public-private contracting rules, including a 30-day "cooling-off" period after a contract is negotiated to allow
McAuliffe stopped work on the 460 project in March because it was costing tens of millions of dollars a month, but didn't have a required construction permit from the
It expressed similar concerns to
A different route?
U.S. 460 Mobility, a partnership between construction giants Ferrovial Agroman and American Infrastructure, hopes to be involved if the project restarts, partnership spokeswoman Moody said. The company was paid about
The project itself has been on the drawing board for decades. The idea was to widen the existing
McDonnell had supported the project for years, and fast-tracked it under the state's public-private contract rules, which give broad authority to the executive branch. He faces unrelated federal corruption charges and heads to trial next month, but he said during a recent public appearance that he pushed for a new
"It's a project that's got to get done, that's really all I can say," McDonnell said.
Indeed, the project has been on the region's most wanted list for years. But
Layne has said that, in a worse-case scenario, the project could cost
Layne was not only on the
That encourages a "hurry up and get it done" attitude, Miller said.
But Miller defended state rules that allow U.S. 460 Mobility and other lead contractors to keep profits and subcontractor payments a secret.
"That's information that my competitors could gain an advantage from," he said. "It would be unrealistic to trace every transaction."
There are exceptions to that rule. Many projects, including this one, come with requirements to use minority- or woman-owned businesses, as well as small businesses. U.S. 460 Mobility gave
The state's Freedom of Information Act allows trade secrets and other proprietary information to be kept from public view, and gives state agencies -- in this case
How much was wasted?
"I think there are substantial questions about how we spent
"How did we spend this money?" he asked. "How much of it was wasted?"
The project has at least 131 subcontractors, based on a list U.S. Mobility provided
There are dozens of construction, engineering, surveying, drilling or soil-testing companies on the list. It includes banks, phone companies, printers, a courier, accountants, sign makers, computer and software companies, insurance companies, lobbying and legal firms, a furniture company, an aerial photographer and a document shredding company.
And the list may not be complete.
"
In several cases, someone at the business said they couldn't comment. Two said U.S. Mobility reached out and asked them not to discuss the project with the press. Moody said the company made "courtesy calls" to project partners to let them know their company's name was being released.
"It is up to the companies as to what they share regarding their businesses," Moody said in an email. "However, it is standard practice that media inquiries on any project be forwarded to the prime contractor."
A few business owners and managers were willing to discuss their role. Vernda Kelley, an accountant in
Grubb Print & Stamp in
New
Many of the subcontractors handled environmental reviews along the route as officials prepared to apply for a construction permit.
"What we're seeing is repeated trips to some properties by the same company," Waldo said. "And to the property owner, that doesn't make sense. Get organized, tell us what you want, and come one time."
Waldo also said that U.S. Mobility or its contractors would tell property owners someone was coming, but give only a window of several months for the visit. He said these problems were much more common on the
Moody said project consultants made great efforts to notify owners before visits and, when possible, coordinate visits to limit the number of trips. A number of tasks fall under the definition of "environmental purposes," she said in an email.
Fain can be reached by phone at 757-525-1759.
___
(c)2014 the Daily Press (Newport News, Va.)
Visit the Daily Press (Newport News, Va.) at www.dailypress.com
Distributed by MCT Information Services
Wordcount: | 1894 |
Overseas Dental Care A Draw For Some Patients
Buddy’s Back: Can Felonious Ex-Mayor Regain His Reign?
Advisor News
Annuity News
Health/Employee Benefits News
Life Insurance News