First of all, I'm not complaining! I know many of our colleagues are really struggling right now. I'm lucky enough to be able to say that my firm (we're talking day job here) has been very busy lately with a number of very challenging transportation geotechnical projects. But most of them have some kind of accelerated time frames.

Owner and agencies are trying to spend use-it-or-lose-it type funds, trying to get projects out to bid this fiscal year, or just trying to take advantage of the competitive bidding climate of today's economy. I remember a time when you could comfortably spread out your work to keep people busy for a while instead of making a mad dash to get it all done. I don't even know what a normal project schedule is anymore.

A couple weeks ago I heard Victor Mendez, FHWA Administrator, speak at a conference in my home town of Tucson. He was talking about, among other things, how one of his priorities was to speed up the time it takes to deliver highway projects. He says from inception to construction completion it takes an average of 13-years, but he wants to cut it in half...

Looks like I had better get used to this new "normal" accelerated schedule. Regards, 

Randy Post, Owner/Editor - GeoPrac.net