{"id":63033,"date":"2006-06-07T17:03:42","date_gmt":"2006-06-07T17:03:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/article\/creative-contracting_o"},"modified":"2006-06-07T17:03:42","modified_gmt":"2006-06-07T17:03:42","slug":"creative-contracting_o","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/business\/management\/creative-contracting_o\/","title":{"rendered":"Creative contracting"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n<div class=\"image-carousel\"\n\trole=\"region\"\n\taria-roledescription=\"carousel\"\n\taria-label=\"Image carousel\"\n\tdata-total-slides=\"4\"\n\t>\n\n\t<div class=\"image-carousel-top\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"carousel-counter\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"current-index\">1<\/span>\n\t\t\tof\t\t\t<span class=\"total-count\">4<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"image-carousel__hero-wrapper\">\n\t\t<button class=\"carousel-prev\"\n\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Previous slide\"\n\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"carousel-main\" aria-live=\"polite\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-slide active\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-slide-0\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-roledescription=\"slide\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Slide 1 of 4\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"false\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- Load the first image immediately at full size -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbde-2etmp-tcm111-1346375.jpg?w=250\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbde-2etmp-tcm111-1346375.jpg 250w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbde-2etmp-tcm111-1346375.jpg?resize=150,177 150w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbde-2etmp-tcm111-1346375.jpg?resize=97,114 97w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbde-2etmp-tcm111-1346375.jpg?resize=111,131 111w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"Dave Schneider (left) senior program manager, consults with Christopher Bentley, inspector, at the intersection of Hendricks Avenue and Landon Road to discuss the next phase of the storm sewer project.\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-caption=\"Dave Schneider (left) senior program manager, consults with Christopher Bentley, inspector, at the intersection of Hendricks Avenue and Landon Road to discuss the next phase of the storm sewer project.\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-slide hidden\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-slide-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-roledescription=\"slide\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Slide 2 of 4\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- Lazy load other main images with data-src to be loaded only when needed -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbdf-2etmp-tcm111-1346379.jpg?w=250\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbdf-2etmp-tcm111-1346379.jpg 250w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbdf-2etmp-tcm111-1346379.jpg?resize=240,177 240w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbdf-2etmp-tcm111-1346379.jpg?resize=155,114 155w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbdf-2etmp-tcm111-1346379.jpg?resize=178,131 178w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"The three key players in the Better Jacksonville plan--from left, Ed Hall, interim director of the department of public works; Alan Mosley, chief operating officer of Jacksonville; and Dave Schneider, senior program manager--have brought the street program to a new level by bringing in outside contracts. .\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"lazy-load-image\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-caption=\"The three key players in the Better Jacksonville plan--from left, Ed Hall, interim director of the department of public works; Alan Mosley, chief operating officer of Jacksonville; and Dave Schneider, senior program manager--have brought the street program to a new level by bringing in outside contracts. .\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-slide hidden\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-slide-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-roledescription=\"slide\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Slide 3 of 4\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- Lazy load other main images with data-src to be loaded only when needed -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe0-2etmp-tcm111-1346383.jpg?w=250\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe0-2etmp-tcm111-1346383.jpg 250w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe0-2etmp-tcm111-1346383.jpg?resize=243,300 243w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe0-2etmp-tcm111-1346383.jpg?resize=143,177 143w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe0-2etmp-tcm111-1346383.jpg?resize=92,114 92w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe0-2etmp-tcm111-1346383.jpg?resize=106,131 106w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"Construction contracts, such as this curbing project, can widely range in cost. Jacksonville is both bundling and separating contracts to attract multiple contractors.\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"lazy-load-image\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-caption=\"Construction contracts, such as this curbing project, can widely range in cost. Jacksonville is both bundling and separating contracts to attract multiple contractors.\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-slide hidden\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-slide-3\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-roledescription=\"slide\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Slide 4 of 4\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- Lazy load other main images with data-src to be loaded only when needed -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe1-2etmp-tcm111-1346387.jpg?w=150\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe1-2etmp-tcm111-1346387.jpg 150w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe1-2etmp-tcm111-1346387.jpg?resize=135,177 135w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe1-2etmp-tcm111-1346387.jpg?resize=87,114 87w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe1-2etmp-tcm111-1346387.jpg?resize=100,131 100w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"Dave Schneider, senior project manager for the Jacksonville, Fla., public works department, managed the roads portion of the Better Jacksonville plan for three years.\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"lazy-load-image\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-caption=\"Dave Schneider, senior project manager for the Jacksonville, Fla., public works department, managed the roads portion of the Better Jacksonville plan for three years.\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<button class=\"carousel-next\"\n\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Next slide\"\n\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"carousel-captions-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption active\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-caption-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"image-caption\" data-full-caption=\"Dave Schneider (left) senior program manager, consults with Christopher Bentley, inspector, at the intersection of Hendricks Avenue and Landon Road to discuss the next phase of the storm sewer project.\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"caption-preview\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDave Schneider (left) senior program manager, consults with Chri&#8230;\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"read-more-toggle\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"caption-full-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span id=\"caption-full-0\" class=\"full-caption hidden\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDave Schneider (left) senior program manager, consults with Christopher Bentley, inspector, at the intersection of Hendricks Avenue and Landon Road to discuss the next phase of the storm sewer project.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption hidden\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-caption-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"image-caption\" data-full-caption=\"The three key players in the Better Jacksonville plan--from left, Ed Hall, interim director of the department of public works; Alan Mosley, chief operating officer of Jacksonville; and Dave Schneider, senior program manager--have brought the street program to a new level by bringing in outside contracts. .\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"caption-preview\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe three key players in the Better Jacksonville plan&#8211;from left&#8230;\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"read-more-toggle\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"caption-full-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span id=\"caption-full-1\" class=\"full-caption hidden\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe three key players in the Better Jacksonville plan&#8211;from left, Ed Hall, interim director of the department of public works; Alan Mosley, chief operating officer of Jacksonville; and Dave Schneider, senior program manager&#8211;have brought the street program to a new level by bringing in outside contracts. .\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption hidden\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-caption-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"image-caption\" data-full-caption=\"Construction contracts, such as this curbing project, can widely range in cost. Jacksonville is both bundling and separating contracts to attract multiple contractors.\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"caption-preview\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tConstruction contracts, such as this curbing project, can widely&#8230;\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"read-more-toggle\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"caption-full-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span id=\"caption-full-2\" class=\"full-caption hidden\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tConstruction contracts, such as this curbing project, can widely range in cost. Jacksonville is both bundling and separating contracts to attract multiple contractors.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption hidden\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-caption-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"image-caption\" data-full-caption=\"Dave Schneider, senior project manager for the Jacksonville, Fla., public works department, managed the roads portion of the Better Jacksonville plan for three years.\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"caption-preview\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDave Schneider, senior project manager for the Jacksonville, Fla&#8230;\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"read-more-toggle\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"caption-full-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span id=\"caption-full-3\" class=\"full-caption hidden\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDave Schneider, senior project manager for the Jacksonville, Fla., public works department, managed the roads portion of the Better Jacksonville plan for three years.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"carousel-thumbnails-wrapper\" role=\"tablist\" aria-label=\"Thumbnail navigation\">\n\t\t<div class=\"carousel-thumbnails\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"thumbnail-wrapper active\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Go to slide 1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"carousel-slide-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-selected=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tab\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbde-2etmp-tcm111-1346375.jpg?w=150&#038;h=150&#038;crop=1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"thumbnail-wrapper \"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Go to slide 2\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"carousel-slide-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-selected=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tab\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbdf-2etmp-tcm111-1346379.jpg?w=150&#038;h=150&#038;crop=1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"thumbnail-wrapper \"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"2\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Go to slide 3\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"carousel-slide-3\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-selected=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tab\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe0-2etmp-tcm111-1346383.jpg?w=150&#038;h=150&#038;crop=1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"thumbnail-wrapper \"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"3\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Go to slide 4\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"carousel-slide-4\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-selected=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tab\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe1-2etmp-tcm111-1346387.jpg?w=150&#038;h=150&#038;crop=1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There&#8217;s nothing small about the plan known as Better Jacksonville. Launched in 2001 and involving billions of dollars in improvement, the Florida city&#8217;s massive initiative encompasses everything from the construction and improvement of facilities like a baseball park, courthouse, and libraries to environmental restoration and parks development projects.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But the largest, most costly, and potentially most publicly disruptive part of the Better Jacksonville plan is the roads improvement portion. When the Better Jacksonville plan launched, roads projects were budgeted at a total of $1.5 billion, which covered new and widened roads, rapid transit rights of way, road resurfacing, safety grade crossings, sidewalks, bike paths, and landscaping. Five years into the program, city officials now estimate that Better Jacksonville&#8217;s roads projects ultimately will cost more than $2 billion.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The scale of the road improvement initiative was necessary simply because it had been years\u2014in some cases, decades\u2014since much of the city&#8217;s infrastructure had been overhauled. City officials knew the volume of road work could be troubling to residents, but also saw the long-term benefits to the community.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe wanted to get ahead of the curve,\u201d said Ed Hall, interim director of the Jacksonville public works department. \u201cTraffic congestion problems were becoming an issue. The mayor at the time did some advertising to build public support for the major roadway and intersection improvements.\u201d<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">There currently are about 100 road repair and construction projects under way in Jacksonville, some overseen by the Jacksonville Transportation Authority and some by the city&#8217;s public works department.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cMost of the 68 public works projects are reconstruction projects,\u201d said Dave Schneider, senior project manager for the Jacksonville public works department. Though Schneider recently took over management of the city&#8217;s courthouse project, he managed the roads portion of Better Jacksonville for the past three years. \u201cTo date we have completed 22 of the 68 projects on the city&#8217;s list. We have construction under way on eight projects and design under way on the remaining 38.\u201d<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Given that scale, there was never a question about whether road work would be doled out to contractors. Every portion of the work is contracted out\u2014design, engineering, management, construction, and inspection.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cThat&#8217;s the way it&#8217;s always been here with the city,\u201d said Schneider. \u201cIt&#8217;s a matter of both cost and accountability. When you have people with contracts, they have to perform. It motivates the contractors to get the work done.\u201d<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But engaging enough contractors qualified to complete the varied volume of work presented one of Jacksonville&#8217;s biggest challenges, prompting the city to carefully consider some alternative approaches to its contracting process, said Alan Mosley, chief operating officer of Jacksonville and the city&#8217;s former director of public works. \u201cThere&#8217;s a lot of work in this community and the surrounding areas\u2014both private and public,\u201d he said. \u201cThe hurricanes certainly complicated that.\u201d<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>New approaches<\/b> <\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One of the first things the city did to accommodate the scale of its road work was to try and coordinate its projects with others being contracted around the city\u2014particularly those at the state level.<\/p><\/div> <!--nextpage-->\n\n<div class=\"image-carousel\"\n\trole=\"region\"\n\taria-roledescription=\"carousel\"\n\taria-label=\"Image carousel\"\n\tdata-total-slides=\"4\"\n\t>\n\n\t<div class=\"image-carousel-top\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"carousel-counter\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"current-index\">1<\/span>\n\t\t\tof\t\t\t<span class=\"total-count\">4<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"image-carousel__hero-wrapper\">\n\t\t<button class=\"carousel-prev\"\n\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Previous slide\"\n\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"carousel-main\" aria-live=\"polite\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-slide active\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-slide-0\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-roledescription=\"slide\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Slide 1 of 4\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"false\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- Load the first image immediately at full size -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbde-2etmp-tcm111-1346375.jpg?w=250\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbde-2etmp-tcm111-1346375.jpg 250w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbde-2etmp-tcm111-1346375.jpg?resize=150,177 150w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbde-2etmp-tcm111-1346375.jpg?resize=97,114 97w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbde-2etmp-tcm111-1346375.jpg?resize=111,131 111w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"Dave Schneider (left) senior program manager, consults with Christopher Bentley, inspector, at the intersection of Hendricks Avenue and Landon Road to discuss the next phase of the storm sewer project.\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-caption=\"Dave Schneider (left) senior program manager, consults with Christopher Bentley, inspector, at the intersection of Hendricks Avenue and Landon Road to discuss the next phase of the storm sewer project.\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-slide hidden\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-slide-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-roledescription=\"slide\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Slide 2 of 4\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- Lazy load other main images with data-src to be loaded only when needed -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbdf-2etmp-tcm111-1346379.jpg?w=250\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbdf-2etmp-tcm111-1346379.jpg 250w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbdf-2etmp-tcm111-1346379.jpg?resize=240,177 240w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbdf-2etmp-tcm111-1346379.jpg?resize=155,114 155w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbdf-2etmp-tcm111-1346379.jpg?resize=178,131 178w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"The three key players in the Better Jacksonville plan--from left, Ed Hall, interim director of the department of public works; Alan Mosley, chief operating officer of Jacksonville; and Dave Schneider, senior program manager--have brought the street program to a new level by bringing in outside contracts. .\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"lazy-load-image\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-caption=\"The three key players in the Better Jacksonville plan--from left, Ed Hall, interim director of the department of public works; Alan Mosley, chief operating officer of Jacksonville; and Dave Schneider, senior program manager--have brought the street program to a new level by bringing in outside contracts. .\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-slide hidden\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-slide-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-roledescription=\"slide\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Slide 3 of 4\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- Lazy load other main images with data-src to be loaded only when needed -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe0-2etmp-tcm111-1346383.jpg?w=250\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe0-2etmp-tcm111-1346383.jpg 250w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe0-2etmp-tcm111-1346383.jpg?resize=243,300 243w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe0-2etmp-tcm111-1346383.jpg?resize=143,177 143w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe0-2etmp-tcm111-1346383.jpg?resize=92,114 92w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe0-2etmp-tcm111-1346383.jpg?resize=106,131 106w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"Construction contracts, such as this curbing project, can widely range in cost. Jacksonville is both bundling and separating contracts to attract multiple contractors.\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"lazy-load-image\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-caption=\"Construction contracts, such as this curbing project, can widely range in cost. Jacksonville is both bundling and separating contracts to attract multiple contractors.\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-slide hidden\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-slide-3\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-roledescription=\"slide\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Slide 4 of 4\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- Lazy load other main images with data-src to be loaded only when needed -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe1-2etmp-tcm111-1346387.jpg?w=150\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe1-2etmp-tcm111-1346387.jpg 150w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe1-2etmp-tcm111-1346387.jpg?resize=135,177 135w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe1-2etmp-tcm111-1346387.jpg?resize=87,114 87w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe1-2etmp-tcm111-1346387.jpg?resize=100,131 100w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"Dave Schneider, senior project manager for the Jacksonville, Fla., public works department, managed the roads portion of the Better Jacksonville plan for three years.\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"lazy-load-image\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-caption=\"Dave Schneider, senior project manager for the Jacksonville, Fla., public works department, managed the roads portion of the Better Jacksonville plan for three years.\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<button class=\"carousel-next\"\n\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Next slide\"\n\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"carousel-captions-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption active\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-caption-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"image-caption\" data-full-caption=\"Dave Schneider (left) senior program manager, consults with Christopher Bentley, inspector, at the intersection of Hendricks Avenue and Landon Road to discuss the next phase of the storm sewer project.\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"caption-preview\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDave Schneider (left) senior program manager, consults with Chri&#8230;\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"read-more-toggle\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"caption-full-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span id=\"caption-full-0\" class=\"full-caption hidden\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDave Schneider (left) senior program manager, consults with Christopher Bentley, inspector, at the intersection of Hendricks Avenue and Landon Road to discuss the next phase of the storm sewer project.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption hidden\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-caption-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"image-caption\" data-full-caption=\"The three key players in the Better Jacksonville plan--from left, Ed Hall, interim director of the department of public works; Alan Mosley, chief operating officer of Jacksonville; and Dave Schneider, senior program manager--have brought the street program to a new level by bringing in outside contracts. .\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"caption-preview\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe three key players in the Better Jacksonville plan&#8211;from left&#8230;\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"read-more-toggle\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"caption-full-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span id=\"caption-full-1\" class=\"full-caption hidden\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe three key players in the Better Jacksonville plan&#8211;from left, Ed Hall, interim director of the department of public works; Alan Mosley, chief operating officer of Jacksonville; and Dave Schneider, senior program manager&#8211;have brought the street program to a new level by bringing in outside contracts. .\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption hidden\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-caption-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"image-caption\" data-full-caption=\"Construction contracts, such as this curbing project, can widely range in cost. Jacksonville is both bundling and separating contracts to attract multiple contractors.\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"caption-preview\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tConstruction contracts, such as this curbing project, can widely&#8230;\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"read-more-toggle\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"caption-full-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span id=\"caption-full-2\" class=\"full-caption hidden\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tConstruction contracts, such as this curbing project, can widely range in cost. Jacksonville is both bundling and separating contracts to attract multiple contractors.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption hidden\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-caption-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"image-caption\" data-full-caption=\"Dave Schneider, senior project manager for the Jacksonville, Fla., public works department, managed the roads portion of the Better Jacksonville plan for three years.\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"caption-preview\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDave Schneider, senior project manager for the Jacksonville, Fla&#8230;\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"read-more-toggle\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"caption-full-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span id=\"caption-full-3\" class=\"full-caption hidden\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDave Schneider, senior project manager for the Jacksonville, Fla., public works department, managed the roads portion of the Better Jacksonville plan for three years.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"carousel-thumbnails-wrapper\" role=\"tablist\" aria-label=\"Thumbnail navigation\">\n\t\t<div class=\"carousel-thumbnails\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"thumbnail-wrapper active\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Go to slide 1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"carousel-slide-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-selected=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tab\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbde-2etmp-tcm111-1346375.jpg?w=150&#038;h=150&#038;crop=1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"thumbnail-wrapper \"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Go to slide 2\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"carousel-slide-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-selected=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tab\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbdf-2etmp-tcm111-1346379.jpg?w=150&#038;h=150&#038;crop=1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"thumbnail-wrapper \"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"2\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Go to slide 3\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"carousel-slide-3\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-selected=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tab\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe0-2etmp-tcm111-1346383.jpg?w=150&#038;h=150&#038;crop=1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"thumbnail-wrapper \"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"3\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Go to slide 4\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"carousel-slide-4\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-selected=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tab\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe1-2etmp-tcm111-1346387.jpg?w=150&#038;h=150&#038;crop=1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe&#8217;re trying to better understand when the DOT is bidding its work, because we&#8217;ve found limited resources out there throughout the southeast, especially due to the effects of all the hurricanes,\u201d said Hall.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">One consistent challenge was getting contractors to want to bid on a contract full of stipulations by virtue of the fact that the city is bidding it out, said Schneider. \u201cBeing government, our contractors have to be pre-qualified,\u201d he said. \u201cIf you&#8217;re pre-qualified and submit the low bid, you get the job.\u201d<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Because that type of bidding doesn&#8217;t always yield the best quality work\u2014or even the lowest cost\u2014Jacksonville is working on a new structure in which cost would not be the only consideration. In that format, 75% of the consideration of a contractor would be based on pricing, but the remaining 25% would be based on other contractor characteristics, including change order history, schedule compliance, environmental compliance, quality, and safety.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cSometimes the low bidder might have the lowest price, but not the best schedule compliance,\u201d said Schneider. \u201cWe want to try to mix price and other factors together. It will help the city get a better mix of price and quality.\u201d<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The other step Jacksonville&#8217;s public works department is taking to try to attract and retain contractors for its roads projects is varying the size of contracts\u2014both bundling them together to make them bigger, and breaking them apart to make them smaller.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cIf we have several projects in the same geographic area, we&#8217;re looking to bundle those up to make them more attractive, so one bidder can pick up four or five projects,\u201d said Schneider. The city has been bidding out about one contract per month, he said, but he&#8217;s hopeful that rolling up several projects would create more demand.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI don&#8217;t know that there&#8217;s a great sense of urgency that you have to win one bid, because you know there will be another next month,\u201d said Schneider. \u201cThis will make it more urgent. We&#8217;re hoping that will motivate them to cut their margin down and give us better prices.\u201d<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Jacksonville also is looking at the opposite of bundling\u2014at pulling out portions of contracts such as the landscaping piece and creating smaller projects that would be attractive to a different set of outfits. \u201cWe have quite a few smaller contractors in town that haven&#8217;t engaged because most projects are in the $8 million to $12 million range,\u201d said Schneider. \u201cThere are lots of contractors with capacity for $1 million to $3 million projects.\u201d<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rex Huffman, senior vice president for the Jacksonville\/Orange Park division of Gibbs &#038; Register, a contractor headquartered in Orlando, said that approach makes projects more appealing to his firm. \u201cWe like the size of the projects. We don&#8217;t take on the huge ones,\u201d he Huffman. \u201cThe city has done a good job creating different sized projects to attract different types of contractors.\u201d<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Gibbs &#038; Register currently has two roads projects under way in Jacksonville, Huffman said\u2014one where a turning lane is being added ($4.2 million) and one where the road is being widened ($2.7 million). He said 90% of the work his firm does is for cities and counties, and the varied size contracts is a helpful tool for getting contractors interested.<\/p><\/div> <!--nextpage-->\n\n<div class=\"image-carousel\"\n\trole=\"region\"\n\taria-roledescription=\"carousel\"\n\taria-label=\"Image carousel\"\n\tdata-total-slides=\"4\"\n\t>\n\n\t<div class=\"image-carousel-top\">\n\t\t\n\t\t<div class=\"carousel-counter\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"current-index\">1<\/span>\n\t\t\tof\t\t\t<span class=\"total-count\">4<\/span>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"image-carousel__hero-wrapper\">\n\t\t<button class=\"carousel-prev\"\n\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Previous slide\"\n\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\n\t\t<div class=\"carousel-main\" aria-live=\"polite\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-slide active\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-slide-0\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-roledescription=\"slide\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Slide 1 of 4\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"false\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- Load the first image immediately at full size -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbde-2etmp-tcm111-1346375.jpg?w=250\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbde-2etmp-tcm111-1346375.jpg 250w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbde-2etmp-tcm111-1346375.jpg?resize=150,177 150w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbde-2etmp-tcm111-1346375.jpg?resize=97,114 97w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbde-2etmp-tcm111-1346375.jpg?resize=111,131 111w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"Dave Schneider (left) senior program manager, consults with Christopher Bentley, inspector, at the intersection of Hendricks Avenue and Landon Road to discuss the next phase of the storm sewer project.\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-caption=\"Dave Schneider (left) senior program manager, consults with Christopher Bentley, inspector, at the intersection of Hendricks Avenue and Landon Road to discuss the next phase of the storm sewer project.\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-slide hidden\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-slide-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-roledescription=\"slide\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Slide 2 of 4\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- Lazy load other main images with data-src to be loaded only when needed -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbdf-2etmp-tcm111-1346379.jpg?w=250\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbdf-2etmp-tcm111-1346379.jpg 250w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbdf-2etmp-tcm111-1346379.jpg?resize=240,177 240w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbdf-2etmp-tcm111-1346379.jpg?resize=155,114 155w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbdf-2etmp-tcm111-1346379.jpg?resize=178,131 178w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"The three key players in the Better Jacksonville plan--from left, Ed Hall, interim director of the department of public works; Alan Mosley, chief operating officer of Jacksonville; and Dave Schneider, senior program manager--have brought the street program to a new level by bringing in outside contracts. .\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"lazy-load-image\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-caption=\"The three key players in the Better Jacksonville plan--from left, Ed Hall, interim director of the department of public works; Alan Mosley, chief operating officer of Jacksonville; and Dave Schneider, senior program manager--have brought the street program to a new level by bringing in outside contracts. .\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-slide hidden\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-slide-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-roledescription=\"slide\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Slide 3 of 4\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- Lazy load other main images with data-src to be loaded only when needed -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe0-2etmp-tcm111-1346383.jpg?w=250\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe0-2etmp-tcm111-1346383.jpg 250w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe0-2etmp-tcm111-1346383.jpg?resize=243,300 243w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe0-2etmp-tcm111-1346383.jpg?resize=143,177 143w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe0-2etmp-tcm111-1346383.jpg?resize=92,114 92w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe0-2etmp-tcm111-1346383.jpg?resize=106,131 106w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 250px) 100vw, 250px\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"Construction contracts, such as this curbing project, can widely range in cost. Jacksonville is both bundling and separating contracts to attract multiple contractors.\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"lazy-load-image\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-caption=\"Construction contracts, such as this curbing project, can widely range in cost. Jacksonville is both bundling and separating contracts to attract multiple contractors.\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-slide hidden\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-slide-3\"\n\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tabpanel\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-roledescription=\"slide\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Slide 4 of 4\"\n\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<!-- Lazy load other main images with data-src to be loaded only when needed -->\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<img\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrc=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe1-2etmp-tcm111-1346387.jpg?w=150\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsrcset=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe1-2etmp-tcm111-1346387.jpg 150w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe1-2etmp-tcm111-1346387.jpg?resize=135,177 135w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe1-2etmp-tcm111-1346387.jpg?resize=87,114 87w, https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe1-2etmp-tcm111-1346387.jpg?resize=100,131 100w\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tsizes=\"(max-width: 150px) 100vw, 150px\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"Dave Schneider, senior project manager for the Jacksonville, Fla., public works department, managed the roads portion of the Better Jacksonville plan for three years.\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"lazy-load-image\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tloading=\"lazy\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-caption=\"Dave Schneider, senior project manager for the Jacksonville, Fla., public works department, managed the roads portion of the Better Jacksonville plan for three years.\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t<button class=\"carousel-next\"\n\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Next slide\"\n\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\">\n\t\t\t<span class=\"icon\" aria-hidden=\"true\"><\/span>\n\t\t<\/button>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"carousel-captions-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption active\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-caption-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"image-caption\" data-full-caption=\"Dave Schneider (left) senior program manager, consults with Christopher Bentley, inspector, at the intersection of Hendricks Avenue and Landon Road to discuss the next phase of the storm sewer project.\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"caption-preview\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDave Schneider (left) senior program manager, consults with Chri&#8230;\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"read-more-toggle\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"caption-full-0\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span id=\"caption-full-0\" class=\"full-caption hidden\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDave Schneider (left) senior program manager, consults with Christopher Bentley, inspector, at the intersection of Hendricks Avenue and Landon Road to discuss the next phase of the storm sewer project.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption hidden\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-caption-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"image-caption\" data-full-caption=\"The three key players in the Better Jacksonville plan--from left, Ed Hall, interim director of the department of public works; Alan Mosley, chief operating officer of Jacksonville; and Dave Schneider, senior program manager--have brought the street program to a new level by bringing in outside contracts. .\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"caption-preview\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe three key players in the Better Jacksonville plan&#8211;from left&#8230;\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"read-more-toggle\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"caption-full-1\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span id=\"caption-full-1\" class=\"full-caption hidden\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe three key players in the Better Jacksonville plan&#8211;from left, Ed Hall, interim director of the department of public works; Alan Mosley, chief operating officer of Jacksonville; and Dave Schneider, senior program manager&#8211;have brought the street program to a new level by bringing in outside contracts. .\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption hidden\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-caption-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"image-caption\" data-full-caption=\"Construction contracts, such as this curbing project, can widely range in cost. Jacksonville is both bundling and separating contracts to attract multiple contractors.\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"caption-preview\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tConstruction contracts, such as this curbing project, can widely&#8230;\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"read-more-toggle\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"caption-full-2\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span id=\"caption-full-2\" class=\"full-caption hidden\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tConstruction contracts, such as this curbing project, can widely range in cost. Jacksonville is both bundling and separating contracts to attract multiple contractors.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption hidden\"\n\t\t\t\t\tid=\"carousel-caption-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"carousel-caption__inner\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p class=\"image-caption\" data-full-caption=\"Dave Schneider, senior project manager for the Jacksonville, Fla., public works department, managed the roads portion of the Better Jacksonville plan for three years.\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"caption-preview\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDave Schneider, senior project manager for the Jacksonville, Fla&#8230;\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button type=\"button\" class=\"read-more-toggle\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-expanded=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"caption-full-3\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tRead More\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span id=\"caption-full-3\" class=\"full-caption hidden\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tDave Schneider, senior project manager for the Jacksonville, Fla., public works department, managed the roads portion of the Better Jacksonville plan for three years.\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<div class=\"carousel-thumbnails-wrapper\" role=\"tablist\" aria-label=\"Thumbnail navigation\">\n\t\t<div class=\"carousel-thumbnails\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"thumbnail-wrapper active\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Go to slide 1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"carousel-slide-1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-selected=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tab\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbde-2etmp-tcm111-1346375.jpg?w=150&#038;h=150&#038;crop=1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"thumbnail-wrapper \"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Go to slide 2\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"carousel-slide-2\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-selected=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tab\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbdf-2etmp-tcm111-1346379.jpg?w=150&#038;h=150&#038;crop=1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"thumbnail-wrapper \"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"2\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Go to slide 3\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"carousel-slide-3\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-selected=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tab\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe0-2etmp-tcm111-1346383.jpg?w=150&#038;h=150&#038;crop=1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<button class=\"thumbnail-wrapper \"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tdata-index=\"3\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\taria-label=\"Go to slide 4\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-controls=\"carousel-slide-4\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-selected=\"false\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\ttype=\"button\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\trole=\"tab\"\n\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/zonda-develop.go-vip.net\/concrete-construction\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/10\/2025\/06\/tmpbe1-2etmp-tcm111-1346387.jpg?w=150&#038;h=150&#038;crop=1\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\taria-hidden=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\talt=\"\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\tclass=\"thumbnail\">\n\t\t\t\t<\/button>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n<div class=\"wp-block-group is-layout-constrained wp-block-group-is-layout-constrained\"> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cEven the Florida DOT will try to split up the contracts to attract contractors of different sizes so that there&#8217;s plenty of room for the little guys and the big guys,\u201d said Huffman.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><b>Cost considerations<\/b> <\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The other potential roadblock to the successful completion of the Better Jacksonville plan\u2014particularly when it comes to the road repair and construction projects involved\u2014is the mounting cost of materials. \u201cAsphalt, pipe and concrete\u2014those will be the killers,\u201d said Huffman of Gibbs &#038; Register.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Where the bidding process is concerned, one of the steps Jacksonville officials have considered is having contractors bid to an index of costs, a step that he said would alleviate some of the risk from contractors who have to anticipate the rising cost of materials when they enter their bids.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cWe&#8217;ve thought about having them bid as though they&#8217;re going to do the job tomorrow, and as the index changed, we would adjust pricing,\u201d he said. \u201cWe think that we can get better prices doing that.\u201d<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Currently, Jacksonville&#8217;s road work contracts only include an index for asphalt, but skyrocketing costs for other materials is prompting the city to consider broadening the practice. \u201cGiven the fact that it looks like concrete and steel are not going to stabilize any time soon, we&#8217;re looking at bidding to an index for those too,\u201d said Schneider.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Huffman said that approach would have great appeal to contractors, which often pay far more for concrete and pipe than they bid, he said. \u201cThey would be doing themselves a great service if they did that\u2014especially with pipe, asphalt, and concrete,\u201d he said. \u201cIf the city did that, it would show a lot of creativity, and they&#8217;d get a lot of respect from contractors. It would also save the city money.\u201d<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Despite the assorted challenges, Jacksonville&#8217;s roads projects are still moving forward, and the city is finding the quality of work it desires for the projects. \u201cWe&#8217;re confident we can maintain the quality\u2014it&#8217;s getting contractors to commit to do the work that&#8217;s the bigger issue,\u201d said Hall.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And so far, the contractor shortage hasn&#8217;t become a dire situation, but Schneider said he can foresee the day when it will. Even then, however, it is important to the city to keep as much work local as it possibly can.<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cI don&#8217;t think we&#8217;re there yet, but at some point down the road we will reach capacity,\u201d said Schneider. \u201cThis is the Better Jacksonville plan. Our preference is that Jacksonville companies do the whole plan.\u201d<\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"> <\/p> <p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"> <\/p> <\/div> ","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>There&#8217;s nothing small about the plan known as Better Jacksonville. Launched in 2001 and involving billions of dollars in improvement, the Florida city&#8217;s massive initiative encompasses everything from the construction and improvement of facilities like a baseball park, courthouse, and libraries to environmental restoration and parks development projects. But the largest, most costly, and potentially [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":0,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"scheduledNewsletterDates":[],"_scheduled_newsletter_id":0,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"zonda_content_type_url_append":"_o","zonda_dfp_zone":"","zonda_exclude_recommended_contents":false,"zonda_exclude_most_popular":false,"zonda_exclude_tagged_results":false,"zonda_eyebrow":"","zonda_last_newsletter_date":"2099-12-31T23:59:59.999-05:00","zonda_original_url":"","zonda_pdf_version":0,"zonda_print_headline":"Creative contracting","zonda_promo_abstract":"There's nothing small about the plan known as Better Jacksonville. But the largest, most costly, and potentially most publicly disruptive part of the Better Jacksonville program is the roads improvement portion.","zonda_promo_headline":"","zonda_promo_image":0,"zonda_subheadline":"Jacksonville keeps the road work going, and keeps it local"},"tags":[],"news_item_type":[28],"section_10":[83098],"subject":[1023,30151],"organization":[],"award":[],"person":[],"product_type_10":[],"content-group":[],"event":[],"location":[],"state":[313],"brand":[21460],"jlc-category":[],"year_tax":[],"sponsor":[],"coauthors":[88540],"class_list":["post-63033","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","news_item_type-article","section_10-management","subject-alternative-materials","subject-roadways","state-florida","brand-public-works"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v28.2 (Yoast SEO v28.2) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Creative contracting<\/title>\n<meta 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