material and administrative costs and profit based on the scope of work required. Each subcontractor's estimation of the scope of work is influenced by the subcontractor's own interpretation of the plans and specifications, and is based also on each subcontractor's assumptions as to the respective performance responsibilities of the general contractor and the many other subcontractors. Mistakes and inconsistencies of interpretation of the plans and the scope of each bid are difficult, if not impossible, to avoid in traditional bidding.
Experience has taught contractors and subcontractors to add very substantial allowances to the bid price for the resulting contingencies, uncertainty, delays and dispute resolution costs. Likewise, owners and lenders of necessity also must allow for these contingencies and uncertainties, increasing the cost of capital and loan administration. In addition,Image: Getty

Mariam Dansoko, a three-year-old girl, was crossing the street near Yankee Stadium with her mother yesterday when she noticed an approaching car. “Mommy, the car is coming,” she said. By the time her mother turned around, the driver of the oncoming Nissan Altima struck Mariam, giving her injuries that later killed her. The driver was not arrested at the scene and will likely not be charged with a crime.



Mariam and her mother were crossing East 164th Street at the time of the crash, and the car made a left turn into the crossing from Gerard Avenue. As Streetsblog points out, traffic lights at that intersection do not have a dedicated turn phase, meaning that pedestrians and turning automobiles are signaled to proceed simultaneously, and it is theoretically