Advice needed

[srbu]

I am currently working on a project in which part of the work requires shielding to be installed on the bottom flanges of bridge girders in selected areas. I have gone through all the information that my Project Manager has and was not able to find the girder spacings/lengths and the beam sizes/type. No measurements were taken on the site walk because it was performed before the owner decided to have the timber shielding included.
I asked advice from my PM about what to do. If there are no dimensions then how can we and the contractor quantify how much is needed with any accuracy? His answer to me was that the original plans of the structure were available and that the contractor will just have to ask the Owner for a copy.
It doesn't make any sense to me. If the plans are available then why wouldn't my PM want to get them so that we would be able to accurately label our drawings. Also, how will we ever come up with a quantity? I'm sure we can make an estimation, but what if we are grossly under or overestimated? Doesn't the engineer's estimate help Owner's determine whether to go with the project or to adjust the scope of the project to make it affordable?
The other thing that bothers me is that we are currently only showing the addition of the timber shielding onthe cross section and are not showing anywhere on the plan views where the shielding is to be installed or even where the existing shielding is located.
This is not the only item I feel that there is a problem with on this particular project. The last two projects I have worked on have been the same way. I have brought items like this to his attention before to only have him answer that this is the way it is done. I have been out of school for 8 months and with this company the same amount of time. I have worked with a heavy/civil contractor for three years before this and, personally if I was the contractor, would never bid on the jobs I have worked on or else I would have bid on them knowing there would be a lot of extras and a better chance to make more money on those extras do to the lack of information.
I would appreciate any advice on how I could better talk to my PM about such issues or even advice as to whether I am off track in my thinking and reasoning. I would talk to someone in the company but unfortunately it is a small office and there is no one I feel comfortable talking with here.

 

[kxyoung]

No big deal.

Have the contract address the issue in the specification and tell what is the shieding work involved, show a typical detail on the plan, and bid that task as one lump sum. Have the contractor field measure the dimensions, submit the propose design to the Engineer for approval.

Personally, I'm won't trust the As-Built that much.

 

[MASSEY]

I would 'guess' that your project manager is not an engineer. I would also 'guess' that this office really needs your help.

I would further 'guess' that this is a very good opportunity to learn, and eventually, you could replace your project manager.

You sound frustrated, this is an old thread, I'd be surprised if you are still there. If you are, work hard, if your not, good luck, if you are still frustrated, polish up your resume and split.