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The I-15 CORE Project in Utah: Successful Infrastructure Improvement

The I-15 CORE Project in Utah is a $1.7 billion design/build project aimed at improving the infrastructure of the I-15 highway. This project is crucial for the heavily populated areas of Salt Lake County and Utah County. Despite a scandal involving bid selection, the project successfully rebounded and was completed ahead of schedule and under budget. The website, media interaction, and positive public opinion played a significant role in rehabilitating UDOT's reputation.

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The I-15 CORE Project in Utah: Successful Infrastructure Improvement

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  1. The I-15 CORE Project, Utah Co, Utah A $1.7 Billion design/build project to improve I-15 -two ways to build infrastructure Design and then build. SEQUENTIAL. Building starts after design is finished. Two different contracts. Design/build. SIMULTANEOUS. Building begins before design is complete. Same contract for both design and build. Easier to “lowball”. COM 7140

  2. The I-15 CORE Project, Utah Co, Utah WHY IS IT IMPORTANT? Most Utahns live in the Wasatch Front, a narrow strip of land between the Great Salt and Utah Lakes and the Wasatch Mountains. Salt Lake County and its neighbor, Utah County, are the two most populated counties, and are home to over 1.5 million people, more than half of the entire state population. I-15 is the primary link between the cities of the Wasatch Front 1-15 to the north in Salt Lake County was improved for the 2002 Olympics; the CORE project is a logical extension from Salt Lake to Provo COM 7140

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  4. The I-15 CORE Project, Utah Co, Utah THE SCANDAL Low bidder did not get the project; second lowest bidder did. Winning bidder had contributed to governor’s campaign. One of the officers of the winning team was married to one of the UDOT selection officials. COM 7140

  5. The I-15 CORE Project, Utah Co, Utah THE COVER-UP UDOT paid rejected low bidder $13 million to not sue. UDOT determined that this amount was the amount the low bidder spent preparing the proposal. UDOT employee who exposed the scandal was fired. COM 7140

  6. The I-15 CORE Project, Utah Co, Utah THE FALL-OUT The official reason given for paying the $13 Million was that UDOT didn’t want to delay the project with a lawsuit, which had happened on the Heritage Pkwy project in Salt Lake and was delayed several years. UDOT employee who exposed the scandal was reinstated by a judge, but then told to sign a letter promising not to talk about the scandal. Public confidence in UDOT dropped substantially. Governor tried to distance himself from situation. COM 7140

  7. The I-15 CORE Project, Utah Co, Utah THE REBOUND Emphasis on the positive aspects of the project. Website, http://www.i15core.utah.gov/ Interaction with the media and public. Governor’s public challenge to finish work ahead of schedule. Innovative design, including third DDI and first CFI in Utah County. Finished early and under budget COM 7140

  8. The I-15 CORE Project, Utah Co, Utah THE WEBSITE PR Interactive map News and updates Progress Fun facts Twitter COM 7140

  9. The I-15 CORE Project, Utah Co, Utah THE RESULTS CFI DDI Widened I-15 with HOV COM 7140

  10. The I-15 CORE Project, Utah Co, Utah THE RESULTS CFI DDI Widened I-15 with HOV COM 7140

  11. The I-15 CORE Project, Utah Co, Utah THE RESULTS CFI DDI Widened I-15 with HOV COM 7140

  12. The I-15 CORE Project, Utah Co, Utah THE FOLLOW-UP Governor says I-15 work vindicates controversial bid award More than $200 under budget Approximate 2 years ahead of schedule Positive public opinion of UDOT Positive write-ups in trade journals such as “Better Road” and the “AASHTO Journal” COM 7140

  13. The I-15 CORE Project, Utah Co, Utah THE QUESTIONS In terms of the public relations, could the scandal have been avoided? When they fired the whistleblower, UDOT tried the “scapegoat” approach, and said the whistleblower should not have revealed the information. If there was a breach of confidentiality that was a cause of termination, what would be an appropriate public relations strategy to neutralize UDOT from criticism? Would you view the heavy positive publicity for the project as a diversionary tactic or a bona fide effort to engage the public? In your opinion, why do you think UDOT was successful in rehabilitating its reputation? If you were the PR person for UDOT, what advice would you give the governor? COM 7140

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