Workers Try to Get Tools at Now-Stopped VA Hospital Construction Project
AURORA, Colo. – Workers on the Veterans Affairs Hospital project in Aurora were back on the job site Thursday, not to work, but to pick up their tools and gear.
However, some workers told 7NEWS they were not allowed inside. Instead, some subcontractors are picking up the tools for their team and their employees will have to wait a little longer and pick up their tools at another location.
There are about 100 sub-contractors and 1,400 workers on the project.
On Tuesday, construction stopped at the hospital on Colfax Avenue near Interstate 225, after it was determined the VA breached its contract with Kiewit-Turner, when estimated completion costs exceeded $1 billion.
The United States Civilian Board of Contract Appeals ruled that the VA failed to design a project within the agreed upon budget of $604 million, and that the VA “does not have sufficient funds to pay for construction of the entire project as currently designed and has no plans to ask for money.”
“Kiewit-Turners already spent $100 million out of pocket to keep our sub-contractors afloat, to keep employees paid, and keep the project rolling for veterans,” said Tom Janssen, a spokesman for Kiewit-Turner. “But ultimately, we werent contracted to finance this project, we were contracted to build this project.”
The VA has said it’s still committed to finishing the hospital.
Wednesday, the Army Corps of Engineers, not the Department of Veterans Affairs, announced it would oversee the new hospital construction project in Aurora, according to a spokesperson with the office of Republican Congressman Mike Coffman.
The Colorado Delegation met with the VA on Wednesday prior to the VA agreeing to hand over responsibility for the project to the Army Corps.
Janssen said Kiewit-Turner will be working with the VA to pay costs still outstanding.
Tags: Veterans News
