Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) Improves Three Stations During Brief Shutdown

Challenge: Limited Opportunity to Improve Three Boston Area Subway Stations

On your average weekday, nearly 425,000 people use the Boston Subway System, North America’s oldest system that locals call the T. Given the impressive commuter traffic, it is vital for city subway stations to remain safe and functional, to serve as an efficient means of transportation for those who depend on it. However, platforms and staircases at stations along the T needed improvements to bring them into a state of good repair to ensure operational efficiency, maximize facility safety and create a positive passenger experience.

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA), the public entity responsible for the stations, wanted to make site improvements and safety upgrades to three stations – Davis Station, Central Square Station and Harvard Square Station – as quickly as possible during a planned shutdown. But when you’re dealing with a working and intricate subway system in a major city, that isn’t easy to accomplish.

Boston transit lines are taken down regularly for maintenance and repairs, a calendar they call the diversion schedule, which would give the MBTA a brief window to complete the necessary upgrades. However, MBTA is only provided with the diversion schedule two months in advance, meaning they would have to move quickly to get the work scoped and scheduled. For traditional project delivery methods like design-build and design-bid-build, that is simply not enough time.

Juggling three projects across three locations on a truncated timeline is challenging under any circumstances. For the MBTA, the stakes were even higher. These projects were highly visible with a direct impact on the lives of everyday people. There was no room for delays and no time for rework. It was not only imperative for the work to get done quickly; the work also needed to get done well.

Solution: Gordian’s Job Order Contracting (JOC) Powers Coordinated Effort

The Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority opted for Gordian’s Job Order Contracting to complete a slew of repairs and upgrades at three subway stations across Boston. One of the primary reasons for this strategic decision was speed.

An indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity construction procurement solution, JOC allows project owners to complete many projects with one contract. This single-solicitation approach reduces time to construction by as much as 25%, according to a report by Gordian and NIGP. This speed was crucial for getting the ball rolling following the release of the upcoming diversion schedule. In merely two weeks, the project was scoped, the Price Proposal was developed by the awarded contractor, Mill City Construction, reviewed by Gordian and approved by the MBTA, all well before the scheduled diversion.

Dive into NIGP and Gordian’s report to find out everything researchers discovered about Job Order Contracting.

Said Gordian Account Manager, Kevin Zomek, “Choosing the JOC process over traditional procurement methods enabled the MBTA to swiftly initiate and execute projects at Central Square Station, Davis Station and Harvard Square Station. By leveraging preset pricing, the awarded contractor, Mill City, could mobilize three projects simultaneously, allowing the team to focus on delivering high-quality results within the tight shutdown schedules.”

JOC is a collaboration engine. Predicated on using preset, local pricing for construction, it eliminates price negotiations and refocuses the project team’s energy on high-quality work done seamlessly. This project exemplified the relational aspect of JOC, as work was tightly coordinated between MBTA, their Mill City contacts and Gordian, ensuring minimal disruption for commuters.

Eric LeGuelaff, P.E., MBTA Deputy Chief of Special Projects, Capital Delivery explained, “We relied on Mill City to deliver much-needed station improvements on a very aggressive timeframe. This would have been extremely difficult to deliver through a traditional procurement process.”

This project included concrete repairs, masonry repairs, demolition and re-installation of granite pavers, railing bracket repair, the installation of new stair treads and painting, bringing these three facilities to a good state of repair.  In total, the work came within budget, reaching approximately $800,000.

The project did have its twists and turns, as most projects do, even those not situated in major subway stations. Again, JOC was the right project delivery method for tackling fluid priorities and needs. When the scope of the project evolved, the team worked together to agree on the best path forward and Mill City developed a supplemental proposal using the same preset costs as they did at the beginning of the project. There was no haggling between parties and minimal delays before work resumed.

“We relied on Mill City to deliver much-needed station improvements on a very aggressive timeframe. This would have been extremely difficult to deliver though a traditional procurement process.”

Eric LeGuelaff, P.E., MBTA Deputy Chief of Special Projects, Capital Delivery

Whether the work was originally scoped or added during the project, it was completed within the two-week closure.

Result: Station Conditions Back On Track

Completing the work within a brief shutdown was a major success for the Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority. It demonstrated the Authority’s commitment to commuter safety, facility accessibility and customer service. Bostonians now enjoy upgrades at Davis Station, Central Square Station and Harvard Square Station, contributing to the well-being and economic vitality of the community.

Completing three jobs in three places would have been difficult if it were not for the exceptional planning, coordination and talents of Mill City Construction. The contractor went above and beyond to make sure the project was done with care and on schedule, demonstrating what is possible with collaboration, dedication and expertise. This project was such a stellar success and an example of the efficiency and collaboration central to JOC programs that it was honored with Gordian’s 2024 Award of Merit in Job Order Contracting.