Risk Analysis of Connecticut Department of Transportation Projects during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

Based on construction project data provided by the Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT), this investigation provides an overview of transportation project delivery impactors during the COVID-19 pandemic. Some 205 CTDOT projects are the basis of this comparison study. Of the total number of projects reviewed, 95 were completed before COVID-19 government health guidelines were issued, and 110 were under construction during COVID-19. The two data sets permitted a comparison of the pandemic’s effect against prepandemic work. The total value of the projects studied was approximately $2.2 billion over the two distinct periods—one before the emergence of the pandemic and the other during the pandemic. The preCOVID era saw $1 billion worth of work completed, while during the pandemic, an additional $1.2 billion worth of work was carried out. The study demonstrates the pandemic’s impact based on 13 factors: schedule, material supply, environmental, weather, extra work, site restrictions, noncompliance/rending notices, surrounding residents, coordination with utilities, design/redesign, quality control, contractor’s quality of work, and no major risks/issues. Material supply and schedule were the two major study factors demonstrating pandemic impact. Because of social distancing guidelines, many construction sites had to reduce their workforce, leading to site-wise labor shortages. The projects of the study were separated into eight different types: safety improvements, traffic signal, roadway, bridge rehabilitation, bridge replacement, highway signage, facility renovation, and train station rehabilitation. Out of these categories, train station rehabilitation projects faced the greatest disruption in their material supply chain compared to the other types of projects.