Sample Risk List

Environmental Risks

External Risks

Design Risks

Engineering Services Risks

Right of Way Risks

Construction Risks

Project Management Risks

Organizational Risks

Environmental analysis incomplete

Landowners unwilling to sell

Design incomplete

Foundations utilizing Cast-In-Drilled-Hole or

Cast-In-Steel-Shell pile 30 in diameter or
greater may require tunneling and mining
provisions within the contract documents and
early notification of Cal-OSHA

Utility relocation requires more time

than planned

Inaccurate contract time estimates

Project purpose and need is not welldefined

Inexperienced staff assigned

Availability of project data and mapping

at the beginning of the environmental
study is insufficient

Local communities pose objections

Unforeseen railroad involvement

Permit work window time is

insufficient

Project scope definition is incomplete

Losing critical staff at crucial point of

the project

Bridges constructed at grade and then

excavated underneath may require tunneling
and mining provisions within the contract
documents and early notification of Cal-OSHA
New information after Environmental
Unreasonably high expectations from Inaccurate assumptions on technical Hazardous materials in existing structure or
issues in planning stage
Document is completed may require re- stakeholders
evaluation or a new document (i.e. utility
surrounding soil; lead paint,
relocation beyond document coverage)
contaminated soil, asbestos pipe, asbestos
bearings
andinto
shims
New alternatives required to avoid,
Political factors or support for project Surveys incomplete
Piles driven
fish habitat may require special
mitigate or minimize impact
changes
noise attenuation to protect marine species
Acquisition, creation or restoration of on Stakeholders request late changes
Changes to
Special railroad requirements are necessary
or off-site mitigation
materials/geotechnical/foundation
including an extensive geotechnical report for
temporary shoring system adjacent to tracks
Environmental clearance for staging or
New stakeholders emerge and
Bridge site data incomplete to DES Access to adjacent properties is necessary to
borrow sites required
request changes
resolve constructability requirements
Historic site, endangered species,
Threat of lawsuits
Hazardous waste site analysis
Existing structures planned for modification not
incomplete
riparian areas, wetlands and/or public
evaluated for seismic retrofit, scour potential and
park present
structural capacity
Design changes require additional
Increase in material cost due to
Unforeseen design exceptions
Foundation and geotechnical tasks (foundation
Environmental analysis
market forces
required
drilling and material testing) not identified and
included in project workplan
Unforeseen formal NEPA/404
Consultant design not up to
Bridge is a habitat to bats or other species
Water quality regulations change
consultation is required
Department standards
requiring mitigation or seasonal construction
Unforeseen formal Section 7
New permits or additional information Unresolved constructability items
Condition of the bridge deck unknown
consultation is required
required
Unexpected Section 106 issues
Reviewing agency requires longer
Complex hydraulic features
For projects involving bridge removal, bridge
expected
than expected review time
carries traffic during staging
Unable to meet Americans with
Verify that all seasonal constraints and
Unexpected Native American concerns Changes to storm-water
requirements
Disabilities Act requirements
permitting requirements are identified and
incorporated in the project schedule
Unforeseen Section 4(f) resources
Permits or agency actions delayed or Project in a critical water shortage
Complex structures hydraulic design requiring
affected
take longer than expected
area and a water source agreement investigation and planning
required
Project may encroach into the Coastal
New information required for permits Incomplete quantity estimates
Assumptions upon which the Advance Planning
Zone
Study is based on are realistic and verification of
these assumptions prior to completion of the
Project Report
Project may encroach onto a Scenic
Environmental regulations change
Unforeseen construction window
Design changes to alignment, profile, typical
Highway
and/or rainy season requirements
cross section, stage construction between
Advance Planning Study and the Bridge Site
Submittal
Project may encroach to a Wild and
Controversy on environmental
Unexpected environmental constraints that
New or revised design standard
Scenic River
grounds expected
impact bridge construction
Unanticipated noise impacts
Pressure to deliver project on an
Unforeseen aesthetic requirements
accelerated schedule
Project causes an unanticipated barrier Labor shortage or strike
Delay due to permits or agreements, from
to wildlife
Federal, State, or local agencies for
geotechnical subsurface exploration
Project may encroach into a floodplain or Construction or pile driving noise and
a regulatory floodway
vibration impacting adjacent
businesses or residents
Project does not conform to the state
implementation plan for air quality at the
program and plan level
Unanticipated cumulative impact issues

Unexpected geotechnical or
groundwater issues

Delay due to Right-of-Entry agreements for

geotechnical subsurface exploration

Resolving objections to Right of Way Change requests due to differing site Project scope, schedule, objectives,
appraisal takes more time and/or
conditions
cost, and deliverables are not clearly
money
defined or understood

Insufficient time to plan

Right of Way datasheet incomplete

or underestimated
Need for Permits to Enter not
considered in project schedule
development
Condemnation process takes longer
than anticipated
Acquisition of parcels controlled by a
State or Federal Agency may take
longer than anticipated
Discovery of hazardous waste in the
right of way phase

Temporary excavation and shoring

system design is not adequate
Falsework design is not adequate

No control over staff priorities

Unanticipated project manager

workload
Internal red tape causes delay
getting approvals, decisions

Unidentified utilities

Estimating and/or scheduling errors

Dewatering is required due to

change in water table

Lack of coordination/communication

Priorities change on existing program

Seasonal requirements during utility

relocation
Utility company workload, financial
condition or timeline
Expired temporary construction
easements
Inadequate pool of expert witnesses
or qualified appraisers

Temporary construction easements

expire
Electrical power lines not seen and in
conflict with construction
Street or ramp closures not
coordinated with local community
Insufficient or limited construction or
staging areas

Underestimated support resources or

overly optimistic delivery schedule
Scope creep

Inconsistent cost, time, scope and

quality objectives
Overlapping of one or more project
limits, scope of work or schedule
Funding changes for fiscal year

Changes during construction require

additional coordination with resource
agencies
Late discovery of aerially deposited
lead

Delay in earlier project phases

jeopardizes ability to meet programmed
delivery commitment
Added workload or time requirements
because of new direction, policy, or
statute

Experimental or research features

incorporated

Local agency support not attained

Unexpected paleontology findings

Public awareness/campaign not planned

Consultant or contractor delays

Buried man-made
Unplanned work that must be
objects/unidentified hazardous waste accommodated

Unresolved project conflicts not

escalated in a timely manner
Unanticipated escalation in right of way
values or construction cost

Functional units not available,

overloaded
Lack of understanding of complex
internal funding procedures

Lack of specialized staff (biology,

anthropology, geotechnical,
archeology, etc.)
Capital funding unavailable for right
of way or construction

Delay in demolition due to sensitive Unforeseen agreements required

habitat requirements or other
Long lead time for utilities caused by Priorities change on existing program
design and manufacture of special
components (steel towers or special
pipe)
Inconsistent cost, time, scope, and
quality objectives

Delay due to traffic management and lane

closure for geotechnical subsurface exploration

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May 5, 2007