COUNTYWIDE : Airport Project Ills Under Outside Study

Frustrated by the problem-plagued John Wayne Airport terminal construction project, the county has called in architects to determine what went wrong and why.

A spokeswoman at the Los Angeles office of Hill International Inc. confirmed Thursday that the engineering and architectural consulting firm has been retained to review the airport project on the county’s behalf.

Hill International’s job is to analyze the engineering and financial claims made by Taylor Woodrow Construction California Ltd., the prime contractor on the $60-million passenger terminal, according to a consultant involved in managing the airport project. The consultant, who asked not to be named, said the work of Hill International will probably be used in preparation for litigation after the terminal is completed. Taylor Woodrow and county officials have been feuding for more than two years over construction delays and payment disputes. The opening of the terminal was postponed once from April 1 to Sept. 16, with some subcontractors and other sources close to the project predicting that another postponement may be necessary.

Taylor Woodrow officials on Wednesday hand-delivered a letter to county officials reassuring them that the terminal would open on time, but no date was specified.