Reducing Risk, Schedule and Cost via Construction Manager at Risk Delivery – Hargus Lake Dam

In 2020, Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) authorized the rehabilitation of Hargus Lake Dam utilizing a Construction Manager at Risk (CMR) delivery method with HDR and Schnabel selected as the Engineer design team and The Ruhlin Company selected as the CMR. From the onset, the project budget was a concern given market fluctuations and supply chain disruptions stemming from COVID. As early as the preliminary design phase, the team worked collaboratively to solve issues and identify cost savings, which would not be possible using typical delivery methods. By all parties embracing the collaborative nature of the CMR approach from the start of design, the project was delivered under budget and nearly six months ahead of schedule, allowing for an additional recreation season, providing significant benefits to ODNR and Ohio residents.