The Northern Ireland Roads Service DBFO Package 2 PFI was awarded to the Amey Lagan Consortium in December 2007.
Halcrow was appointed Lenders’ Technical Adviser by the Consortium in February 2006 and provided Technical Due Diligence reporting and advice throughout the procurement. At financial close, 14 December 2007, Halcrow’s Technical Advisor appointment was novated to the Lenders in order to provide Post-Contract Monitoring services in the capacity of Majority Creditor Technical Adviser (MCTA).
The DBFO Package 2 contract, under the management of the DBFO Company - Amey Lagan Roads Limited, comprises the construction of some 38km of new build carriageway resulting from three separate road infrastructure improvement schemes, together with the operation and life cycle maintenance of some 87km of existing roads, for a period of 30 years. The new build schemes are located on two strategic routes, the A1/ M1 Belfast-Dublin route (Schemes 1, and 2A-2D), and the A4/A5 Belfast-Enniskillen route (Scheme 3), and contain numerous structures, large quantities of earthworks and roadworks, both on and off existing highways, and several junction improvements.
Halcrow’s remit for the Post-Contract Monitoring is a five year commission that includes both the monitoring and the construction of the new build carriageway works, and overseeing the ongoing routine and lifecycle maintenance of the existing highways. With regard to the construction works Halcrow undertakes a monthly monitoring programme which comprises, monitoring and reporting on the general progress of the construction works, reviewing the monthly valuations and payments, monitoring progress against the construction programme, commenting of the robustness of the predicted completion dates, reviewing any significant changes to the works, monitoring quality systems, and general monitoring of the administration of the contract including the reporting of any significant events.
In respect of routine maintenance and lifecycle monitoring our role includes, monitoring of the general progress of the maintenance works, reviewing the adequacy of the budget to cover operating expenses, capital expenditures and major maintenance overhaul, monitoring quality systems, reviewing road availability and performance indicators, and general monitoring of the administration of the contract and the reporting of any events.