AWWA DSS58726

This paper shares the author's experiences in the late 1980s with an innovative partnering initiative that turned out to be the forerunner of a fundamental change in the public sector construction industry. Also discussed are several processes that, as a result of the partnering initiative, are commonplace in Portland District and other places today. They include the practice of allowing the contractor to communicate directly with the engineering staff in the District office, and expediting value engineering proposals. The paper concludes by discussing lessons learned from the project.