Leveraging Design-Build to Deliver for Communities.

For more than 15 years, Yvette Abdelmalek has been a driving force for delivering transformative infrastructure projects through the design-build delivery approach. Abdelmalek’s expertise has taken her numerous places — collaborating with clients to bring their transportation goals to reality. Here, Abdelmalek reveals how her extensive experience enriches the development process and the positive impacts the design-build method brings to project stakeholders and communities.

What was the first design-build project you worked on and what did it teach you about that delivery method?

I joined HNTB a couple years after graduating college and immediately immersed myself in the I-405 Sepulveda Pass Improvements Project in Los Angeles. I dedicated six years to the design and construction of this project, which focused on increasing traffic capacity. I learned the impact of how every individual action resonates on a project-wide scale and where all project components connect. Alignment and communication among all project stakeholders are of the utmost importance, especially in the fast-paced environment of design-build.

This experience was pivotal in shaping my career. Since then, I’ve worked on diverse design-build projects in New York, Utah, Virginia and Georgia. Each location offered unique opportunities and learning experiences, allowing me to explore different regions and approaches to transportation development.

How do you approach the collaboration aspect of design-build projects and ensure best practices are used with various stakeholders?

Effective communication is crucial to a project’s success. Identifying key stakeholders and maintaining consistent communication throughout the project lifecycle is essential from the outset. We often say, “When you believe you’re communicating enough, you’ve likely just scratched the surface.”

Design-build projects often involve organizing the project team according to their specialties and designating individuals to oversee integration efforts. In these situations, communication becomes paramount when collaborating with various stakeholders, including subconsultants, interdisciplinary coordinators, the contractor, and agencies having jurisdiction. By ensuring alignment, even with minor adjustments, we can effectively coordinate efforts across the team.

Additionally, organizing project records from the onset sets you up for success, enhances collaboration and mitigates the risk of overlooking crucial details. By maintaining comprehensive documentation, we create a solid foundation for informed decision-making throughout the project lifecycle.

Effective communication is crucial to a project’s success. Identifying key stakeholders and maintaining consistent communication throughout the project lifecycle is essential from the outset. 

– Yvette Abdelmalek
Senior Project Manager

The West Davis Corridor (SR-177) is a major infrastructure project in Utah that was delivered through design-build. Can you share more about that project?

The West Davis Corridor, a 16-mile, four-lane extension connecting to I-15, serves as a new route into Salt Lake City. HNTB collaborated closely with the Utah Department of Transportation to enhance regional mobility through the delivery of this greenfield project, which eases traffic congestion for a rapidly growing population while minimizing impacts to both the environment and community.

As the principal designer for the Farmington Bay Constructors joint venture, HNTB played a pivotal role in the development of the corridor's interchanges, roadways and an extensive trail system. The project, which was completed through a design-build approach ensuring optimal value, features 25 bridges and 40 structures, incorporating advanced geotechnical engineering to address challenges posed by soft soils and high-water tables. Additionally, the corridor features a comprehensive multimodal trail system, catering to the recreational needs of the community with bike and equestrian paths spanning the corridor's length.

Witnessing the evolution of this project from its inception has been a remarkable experience. From the initial pre-award phase to the hands-on discovery and testing phases, the journey of constructing this critical connection has been a testament to the power of collaboration. It's a privilege to see a collective effort materialize into a vital asset for the community.

What are the advantages of delivering projects through the progressive design-build method?

One significant advantage of progressive design-builds is the substantial reduction of risks when it comes to project costs. This mitigation of risk is due to being more familiar with a project by the time a contractor gives a price to the owner. In traditional design-build methods, the bid occurs after the pre-award phase, which can leave some uncertainties that may impact cost. However, with progressive design-build, you typically reach around the 60% completion mark of the design phase of the project before the contractor finalizes their price. This means you have a clearer understanding of the project’s budget, which mitigates having to ask for increased funding after the construction phase begins.

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