Change orders

When changes must occur to build projects, WSDOT issues a change order to modify the original contract. The order directs contractors how to handle the change, and also modifies the contract cost, plans and specifications as necessary. Oftentimes, these costs are included in the project's risk reserves. Each month, WSDOT posts all change orders estimated at $500,000 or more online at Change orders over $500,000 | WSDOT (wa.gov)

2023 Q4 (Q2 2023-2025 biennium)

WSDOT tracks five change orders of $500,000 or more

WSDOT had five change orders of $500,000 or more recorded during the quarter ending December 31, 2023.

  1.  A $695,300 change order on the US 2, Stevens Pass East — Paving project increased costs to account for expanding shoulders which required additional work related to grate inlets and Information Technology System boxes as well as planning bituminous pavement, asphalt, crack sealing and traffic control.
  2.  A $1.53 million change order on the I-405 — NE 132nd Street Interchange project increased costs to account for the installation of a fish passable culvert beneath the Woodlake Apartments driveway along 116th Place NE.
  3.  A $1.88 million change order on the I-5 to SR 509 New Expressway project increased costs to account for additional work associated with embankment materials underruns.
  4.  A $538,400 change order on the SR 302 East of Elgin Clifton Road to SR 16 Remove Fish Passage Barrier project increased costs to account for furnishing and installing woody materials, and mixing and placing aggregates. It also includes all traffic control and erosion control.
  5.  A $718,800 change order on the SR 99, Alaskan Way Viaduct — Replacement South Access Surface Streets project increased costs to account for work associated with replacing and extending the original design of an asphalt sidewalk with a concrete sidewalk on the west side of 1st Avenue South from Royal Brougham St. to Dearborn St.

2023 Q3 (Q1 2023-2025 biennium)

WSDOT tracks four change orders of $500,000 or more

WSDOT had four change orders of $500,000 or more recorded during the quarter ending September 30, 2023.

  1.  A $1.56 million change order on the I-5, Northbound Marine View Drive to SR 529 — Corridor & Interchange Improvements project increased costs to account for correcting an existing grade at the Union curve to allow for stormwater runoff and associated work.
  2.  A $3.08 million change order on the I-5, Northbound Marine View Drive to SR 529 — Corridor & Interchange Improvements project increased costs to account for correcting an existing grade at the Snohomish curve to allow for stormwater runoff and associated work.
  3.  A $1.28 million change order on the SR 520, Montlake to Lake Washington Interchange and Bridge project increased costs to account for costs associated with Sand & Gravel Teamster's Local 174 strike and West Approach Bridge South and in-water work restrictions incurred due to the strike.
  4.  A $929,731 change order on the Portland Avenue to Port of Tacoma Road - Southbound HOV project increased costs to account for additional work to design and construct roadway, ITS, landscaping, and pedestrian facilities for 27th and 28th streets to L Street in conjunction with the new L Street structure over I-5.

2023 Q2 (Q8 2021-2023 biennium)

WSDOT tracks eight change orders of $500,000 or more

WSDOT had eight change orders of $500,000 or more recorded during the quarter ending June 30, 2023.

  1.  A $1.19 million change order on the Concrete Panel Replacement and Joint Rehabilitation project increased costs to account for additional panel replacement and associated work.
  2.  A $1.31 million change order on the SR 99 & SR 519 Alaskan Way Viaduct - Replacement South Access Surface Streets project project increased costs to account for building demolition and associated work.
  3.  A $697,000 change order on the I-5 Portland Avenue to Port of Tacoma Road - Southbound HOV project increased costs to account for construction of additional pedestrian and ADA compliant facilities.
  4.  A $672,000 change order on the I-5 Portland Avenue to Port of Tacoma Road - Southbound HOV project increased costs to account for replacement of a sanitary sewer line.
  5.  A $534,000 change order on the SR 520 Montlake to Lake Washington Interchange and Bridge project increased costs to account for utility-related changes and increased concrete thickness.
  6.  A $668,000 change order on the US 395 North Spokane Corridor Spokane River to Columbia - Shared Use Path project increased costs to account for the project's extension,
  7.  A $989,000 change order on the I-90 Floating Bridges Anchor Cable Replacement project increased costs to account for additional sediment removal at anchor cables.
  8.  A $1.73 million change order on the I-5 Northbound Seneca St. Vicinity to SR 520 Mobility Improvements project increased costs to compensate the contractor for extra work and delays associated with rebar and other obstructions encountered in the removal and replacement of barrier.

2023 Q1 (Q7 2021-2023 biennium)

WSDOT tracks one change order of $500,000 or more

WSDOT had one change order of $500,000 or more recorded during the quarter ending March 31, 2023.

  1.  A $1.23 million change order on the US 195, Old BNRR Bridge to Junction SR 271 PCCP Rehabilitation project increased costs to account for additional grinding work.

2022 Q6 (Q8 2021-2023 biennium)

WSDOT tracks three change orders of $500,000 or more

WSDOT had three change orders of $500,000 or more recorded during the quarter ending December 31, 2022.

  1.  A $537,000 change order on the SR 506, 1.5 Miles North of Frontage Rd. to I-5 Emergency Bridge Repair project increased costs to account for fully replacing one of the bridge spans.

  2.  A $790,000 change order on the I-5 Dike Access West Bridge MP 22.7 & BNRR Bridge Painting project increased costs to account for revised work associated with cleaning and painting the bridge as well as testing and the disposal of containment waste.

  3.  A $744,000 change order on the I-5, Southbound S. Spokane St. to I-90 West-South Ramp Deck Overlay project increased costs to account for additional bridge deck rut repairs and installation of joint tapers on expansion joints.

2022 Q3 (Q5 2021-2023 biennium)

WSDOT tracks five change orders of $500,000 or more

WSDOT had five change orders of $500,000 or more recorded during the quarter ending September 30, 2022.

  1.  A $1.5 million change order on the I-5, Southbound South Spokane St. to I-90 West-South Ramp Deck Overlay project increased costs to account for repairs to wheel ruts and expansion joints.

  2.  An $868,1000 change order on the SR 513, Montlake Bridge Mechanical Rehabilitation & Deck Replacement & Joint project increased costs to account for delay expenses and the addition of 30 days to the contract.

  3.  A $1.3 million change order on the I-90, Eastgate to SR 900 Corridor Improvements project increased costs and the height of noise barrier walls and added 100 days to the contract.

  4.  A $2.6 million change order on the I-405, NE 132nd Street Interchange project increased costs to account for sewer and water utility relocation work. 5) A $2.0 million change order to the US 395, North Spokane Corridor - Spokane River to Columbia project increased costs to account for contaminated material disposal.

  5.  A $2.0 million change order to the US 395, North Spokane Corridor - Spokane River to Columbia project increased costs to account for contaminated material disposal.

2022 Q2 (Q4 2021-2023 biennium)

WSDOT tracks two change orders of $500,000 or more

WSDOT had two change orders of $500,000 or more recorded during the quarter ending June 30, 2022.

  1.  A $504,000 change order increased I-5 Portland Avenue to Port of Tacoma Road Southbound project costs to account for work to design and construct ADA compliant pedestrian facilities, including the implementation of traffic control, in three quadrants of the McKinley Way and D Street intersection and one area on the Pacific Avenue and South 32nd Street intersection.

  2.  A $1 million change order increased SR 290, Barker Road BNSF Grade Separation project costs to account for this change order adds BNSF requirements for importing or exporting soil, adding a common borrow from the Hatch Road source to be placed on the BNSF Railway right of way including an equitable adjustment for embankment compaction of this material, reclamation of the Hatch Road source after the borrow is complete, and necessary traffic control at the Hatch Road source.

2022 Q1 (Q3 2021-2023 biennium)

WSDOT tracks four change orders of $500,000 or more

WSDOT had four change orders of $500,000 or more recorded during the quarter ending March 31, 2022 (several occurred earlier but WSDOT was unable to put them online until web updates were completed).

  1.  An $11.3 million change order increased I-405, Renton to Bellevue Widening and Express Toll project costs due to account for revisions to prevailing wage rates.

  2.  An $882,000 change order decreased US 395, North Spokane Corridor Sprague Ave to Spokane River Phase 1 project costs to account for the removal of items related to shaft obstructions.

  3.  A $517,400 change order increased I-5, Northbound Seneca St. Vicinity to SR 520 Mobility Improvements project costs to account for leasing a transport vehicle and providing quick change movable barrier parts.

  4.  A $908,900 change order increased SR 9, SR 204 Intersection Improvements (Stage 2) project costs to account for additional work associated with modifications to two noise walls.

2021 Q4 (Q2 2021-2023 biennium)

WSDOT has no change orders of $500,000 or more during the quarter

WSDOT did not have any change orders of $500,000 or more during the quarter ending December 31, 2021.

2021 Q3 (Q1 2021-2023 biennium)

WSDOT has three change orders of $500,000 or more during the quarter

WSDOT had three change orders of $500,000 or more during the quarter ending September 30, 2021.

  1.  Work associated with the fire suppression systems on the SR 520 Montlake to Lake Washington Interchange and Bridge Replacement Project resulted in a $3.5 million change order while alterations to the lighting systems plan resulted in a $500,000 savings.

  2.  Alignment changes on a noise wall on the I-405. Renton to Bellevue Widening and Express Toll Lanes Project resulted in a change order savings of $500,00.

  3.  Practical Design efforts on the I-405, SR 509, I-5 to 24th Ave S. - New Expressway Project revised the configuration of the collector-distributor roads and removed a planned overpass, resulting in a change order of $1.39 million.

2021 Q2 (Q8 2019-2021 biennium)

WSDOT has three change orders of $500,000 or more during the quarter

WSDOT had three change orders of $500,000 or more during the quarter ending June 30, 2021.

  1.  Work associated with the SR 202, Evans Creek & Patterson Creek Fish Passage project was deleted from the original contract following design and redesign discussions, resulting in a $3.9 million credit that will be used for construction of the project at a later date.

  2.  A settlement agreement with a contractor on the Lewis and Clark Bridge, Superstructure Painter project resulted in a change order of $3.5 million.

  3.  Unexpected costs and work suspensions associated with response to COVID-19 on the I-405, Renton to Bellevue Widening and Express Toll project resulted in a change order of $12 million.
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2021 Q1 (Q7 2019-2021 biennium)

WSDOT has three change orders of $500,000 or more during the quarter

WSDOT had three change orders of $500,000 or more during the quarter ending March 31, 2021.

  1.  Additional efforts associated with meeting COVID-19 health standards and changing safety standards on the I-405, Renton to Bellevue Corridor Widening and Express Toll Lane project resulted in a change order of $1.625 million.

  2.  COVID-19 safety changes as well changes to storefront closure requirements, nighttime demolition restrictions, lane and full closure modification, and stabilization and grading work on the SR 520, Montlake to Lake Washington Interchange and Bridge Replacement project resulted in a change order of $16 million.

  3.  Several items on the I-90/468th Avenue Southeast to West Summit Road Eastbound - Rehabilitation project, including an extended job site overhead and panel inefficiencies, resulted in a change order of $661,000.

2020 Q4 (Q6 2019-2021 biennium)

WSDOT has five change orders of $500,000 or more during the quarter

WSDOT had five change orders of $500,000 or more during the quarter ending December 30, 2020.

  1.  Practical design solutions on the I-405, Renton to Bellevue Widening and Express project that reduced associated work and scope decreased overall costs by more than $4.2 million.

  2.  Demolition and disposal of seismic retrofit material that were not identified in the original SR 520, Montlake to Lake Washington Interchange and Bridge project contract increased costs by $1 million.

  3.  Differing site conditions encountered during shaft construction added 15 days to the Lacamas Creek Bridge Replacement project and increased costs by more than $673,800.

  4.  Delays and a coordinated response associated with COVID-19 on the SR 99, AWV Demolition Decommissioning & Surface Street project increased costs by more than $812,700.

  5.  Issues, including equipment damage, that occurred during Cement Deep Soil Mixing work on the Bagley and Siebert Creeks-Remove Fish Barriers project increased costs by more than $1.9 million.

2020 Q3 (Q5 2019-2021 biennium)

WSDOT has five change orders of $500,000 or more during the quarter

WSDOT had five change orders of $500,000 or more during the quarter ending September 30, 2020.

  1.  Updates to COVID-19 protocols resulted in additional work and sanitation effort on the SR 520, Montlake to Lake Washington Interchange and Bridge project and led to a $1.5 million cost increase.

  2.  Delays caused by response to COVID-19 resulted in suspension of work costs on the SR 520, Montlake to Lake Washington Interchange and Bridge project and led to a $1.9 million cost increase.

  3.  Design changes related to an Alternative Technical Concept on the I-82, South Union Gap Interchange - Construct Ramps project led to a $550,000 increase.

  4.  Design changes and delays caused by response to COVID-19 on the I-82, South Union Gap Interchange - Construct Ramps project led to a $1.3 million increase.

  5.  Delays caused by response to COVID-19 resulted in suspension of work costs on the SR 305/Agate Pass Bridge Painting and led to a $750,000 increase.

2020 Q2 (Q4 2019-2021 biennium)

WSDOT has nine change orders of $500,000 or more during the quarter

WSDOT had nine change orders of $500,000 or more during the quarter ending June 30, 2020.

  1.  Paint needing to be removed that was thicker than anticipated on the SR 20, Deception Pass and Canoe Pass Bridges Paint project led to a $2.5 million increase.

  2.  Design changes and an expanded footprint and timeline on the SR 530/ Trafton Creek & Schoolyard Creek - Fish Passage project led to a $2.2 million increase.

  3.  I-5, Waterline and powerline relocations on the Steilacoom-Dupont Rd. to Thorne Lane Corridor project led to a $685,000 increase.

  4.  Additional repairs, testing and lighting on the I-90, Two-Way Transit & HOV Operation, Stage 3 project led to a $2.7 million increase.

  5.  Costs associated with a winter shutdown of work on the SR 305/Agate Pass Bridge Painting project led to a $500,000 increase.

  6.  Construction reviews and ongoing parking lot maintenance on the SR 99/AWV Demolition Decommissioning & Surface Street project resulted in an $826,000 increase.

  7.  Work associated with contaminated soil on the SR 530, Trafton Creek & Schoolyard Creek - Fish Passage project led to a $639,000 increase.

  8.  Removal and relocation work associated with on-street lighting on the SR 99/AWV Demolition Decommissioning & North Surface Street led to an $868,000 increase.

  9.  Revised design and construction work associated with Seattle City Light requirements for duct banks (conduit groups) in the Battery Street Tunnel as part of the SR 99/AWV Demolition Decommissioning & Surface Street project led to a $6.0 million increase.

2020 Q1(Q3 2019-2021 biennium)

WSDOT has seven change orders of $500,000 or more during the quarter

WSDOT had seven change orders of $500,000 or more during the quarter ending March 31, 2020.

  1.  The I-5 Steilacoom-DuPont Rd. to Thorne Lane - Corridor project required a $1.5 million change order. The change order was a combination of smaller change orders for work to improve traffic flow, provide signage, and complete additional widening.

  2.  The SR 99, Bored Tunnel Alternative Design-Build project required a $2 million change order as final compensation for outstanding issues.

  3.  The US 101, West Jefferson County Remove Fish Barriers project required a $631,000 change order because building a separate detour bridge was needed during construction.

  4.  The SR 99, George Washington Bridge Painting & Paving project required a $1.1 million change order because there was more rust than expected on the structure, requiring additional time and materials.

  5.  The SR 20, Deception Pass and Canoe Pass Bridges project required a $1.5 million change order due to ongoing negotiations as a "good faith" payment.

  6.  The US 101, North of SR 107 Stabilize Slope project required a $787,000 change order due to obstructions encountered while drilling shafts.

  7.  The SR 99/AWV Demolition, Decommissioning and Surface Street Project required a $850,000 change order because of accelerated demolition activity near S. Dearborn Street, which required overtime and weekend work.

2019 Q4 (Q2 2019-2021 biennium)

WSDOT has three change orders of $500,000 or more during the quarter

WSDOT had three change orders of $500,000 or more during the quarter ending December 31, 2019.

  1.  The 468th Ave. SE to West Summit Rd. Rehabilitation of Concrete Bridge Deck project required a $2.8 million change order. The contractor encountered significantly more deterioration on the bridge deck than what was outlined in the original plan, requiring additional materials, labor costs, and another construction season.The I-5 Steilacoom-DuPont Rd. to Thorne Lane - Corridor project required a $1.5 million change order. The change order was a combination of smaller change orders for work to improve traffic flow, provide signage, and complete additional widening.

  2.  The SR 99, Alaskan Way Viaduct - Replacement South Access SR 99 Connections project required a $1.4 million change order due to production delays related to unforeseen obstructions.

  3.  The I-5, Northbound MLK Jr. Way to NE Ravenna Bridge, Pavement Repair project required a $546,000 change order due to additional pavement grinding required for sufficient surface friction.

2019 Q3 (Q1 2019-2021 biennium)

WSDOT has one change order of $500,000 or more during the quarter

WSDOT had one change order of $500,000 or more during the quarter ending September 30, 2019.

  1.  The $580,000 change order for the SR 99/Alaskan Way Viaduct Demolition, Decommissioning, and Surface Street project resolved multiple issues including: adding 6th Avenue and Battery Street ADA Ramps, deleting a driveway at Aurora Avenue and John Street from the project; deleting a northbound turn lane on Aurora Avenue from the project; installing a curb bulb in the Wall Street vicinity; adding a sidewalk at Thomas Street and Southbound Aurora Avenue; replacing a Portland Cement Concrete Pavement panel; adding a sidewalk to Aurora Avenue; and deleting a driveway at the Quality Inn from the project.

2019 Q2 (Q8 2017-2019 biennium)

WSDOT has two change orders of $500,000 or more during the quarter

WSDOT had two change orders of $500,000 or more during the quarter ending June 30, 2019.

  1.  The I-90 Floating Bridges Replace Anchor Cables project required a $1,628,000 change order to excavate anchor cable connections that were buried in up to 20 feet of lakebed sediment and rocks.

  2.  The I-5 Northbound Martin King Jr. Way to Ravenna Bridge Pavement Repair & More project required an $831,000 change order to remove and replace an unsuitable subgrade on the roadway.

2019 Q1 (Q7 2019-2021 biennium)

WSDOT has one change order of $500,000 or more during the quarter

WSDOT had one change order of $500,000 or more during the quarter ending March 31, 2019.

  1.  The 468th Ave. SE to West Summit Rd. Rehabilitate Concrete/Deck project required a $700,000 change order due to costs associated with the increased depth of concrete removal.


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