The City of Lethbridge issued a "Design-Build" lum sum contract to construct a standalone pedestrian bridge to provide a pedestrian bridge to provide a pedestrian and cycle link across the Oldman River. The successful partnership of Getkate Construction (1976) Ltd. and UMA Engineering Ltd. was established well in advance to tackle the project. The combined expertise of a reputable bridge contractor and an experienced engineering firm provided opportunities for innovative ideas which translated into real savings and maximised value for the City. A formal two-day Partnering Session was held before construction commencement. At the end of the second day, a charter was formed which all parties proclaimed full ownership and affixed their signatures as a mark of their commitment. A true partnership was forged amongst the owner, the engineer, and the contractor. This partnership was proudly displayed and promoted on job site and within each partner's own work place. All team members cultivated a sense of pride which evolved around the pledge to the Charter. The working atmosphere was one of co-operation and collaboration instead of the "Us and Tem" scenarios common on traditional owner-contractor relationships. This paper looks at the partnering experience on this project, what made it a success and how it could be further improved. (Author/publisher)
Samenvatting