The design-build method is a game-changer in transportation construction, unifying two disciplines to yield better results, typically in less time and for less money, than the traditional design-bid-build approach.

That’s a big deal for John Q. Public, and it’s also a big deal for the engineers, designers and contractors who team up to submit detailed proposals when vying for the work. In design-build, the team with the best overall plan, not simply the lowest price, is typically awarded the job.

Though the rules of the design-build game are different, Ranger Construction is showing it can play ball just the same. Team Ranger recently hit one out of the park, landing a $78.3 million design-build contract to increase capacity on I-95 in northern St. Lucie County, Florida. Ranger is the prime contractor; other team members include engineering firm Wantman Group, design firm Atkins (formerly PBS&J), and bridge subcontractor Cone & Graham.

Ranger Adding Two New Lanes In Each Direction

The project covers 8.7 miles, from SR-70 (Okeechobee Road) to SR-614 (Indrio Road). Ranger will add two lanes in each direction, located within the existing median to keep the outside roadway limits about the same. The contract includes milling and resurfacing existing lanes, upgrading the bridges and interchanges at each end of the project, and improving two bridges along the route.

Permitting and some early construction phases will begin this year, with project completion scheduled for April 2014.

Overall Project Schedule Shortened by Integrated Process

“Planning and proposal work began more than a year ago,” said Jason Daley, a Ranger project manager who helped lead the process. “But the project schedule ends up being shorter because the design and construction are so well integrated.”

Ranger recently completed work on another design-build job, widening four miles of I-95 in Brevard County under a $20.5 million contract awarded in 2009. Ranger teamed with engineering firm C3TS for that project.

As design-build becomes the preferred way to go for large road improvement projects, giving the public more innovative and timely results at a better overall value, Ranger and its teams are proving to be major players along the way.