The real-life case of Tappan Zee Bridge replacement

The Tappan Zee Bridge, once a major Hudson River crossing in New York, was replaced in 2017 by the Governor Mario M. Cuomo Bridge—a modern, twin-span cable-stayed structure with eight lanes and a bike-pedestrian path. Building such large projects is complex, involving many teams and materials. Success depends on smart procurement and careful schedule tracking. This article explores why these processes matter, using the Tappan Zee Bridge replacement as a real-life example.

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The construction projects are notorious for missing deadlines. They are also more expensive than expected. Why? The primary reason is poor planning. Teams can miss ordering the materials on time. This causes delays. Choosing unreliable suppliers results in delays or low-quality materials.

There is confusion due to the absence of communication among teams. Things are either delayed or done incorrectly. The unexpected alteration, such as weather or design modifications, shakes schedules. In the absence of tracking, little problems turn out to be big problems. For example, a delay in the delivery of materials may halt workdays. This makes it more expensive and irritating to all.

Research indicates that 70 percent of all projects are delayed because of procurement problems. There is a tendency for budget overruns, and most projects exceed their budgets by 10-20 percent. Such obstacles are detrimental to project success and reputation.

The solution: Good procurement and schedule tracking

These problems are solved by construction procurement and schedule monitoring. This is the way they work.

Construction procurement:

Procurement involves the acquisition of proper materials, services and employees. It begins with proper planning. Teams write down their requirements. They select reliable suppliers. They enter into equitable contracts. This will ensure materials are on time. Effective procurement eliminates risks. As an example, there are no delays due to reliable suppliers.

It is also cost-effective in terms of locking in reasonable prices. This is a process run by a procurement manager. They monitor budgets and schedules. They deal with surprises such as price increases. Tools like procurement software are useful. They track real-time deliveries and orders. This keeps everybody in line.