Evaluations of Ways and Procedures to Reduce Construction Costs and Increase Competition (0-6011-S)

This project summary report summarizes the research performed in Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Project 0-6011. The purpose of this research was to investigate factors contributing to soaring construction costs and identify methods to reduce or contain construction costs without jeopardizing quality. A literature review, interviews with engineers, and fact-finding workshops revealed a number of internal and external factors affecting the increase in construction costs and methods to address them. Researchers performed a qualitative assessment of the performance of the identified methods and developed comprehensive guidelines on how to modify projects to reduce initial construction costs while maintaining equal or better performance. The research team found that some cost-increase factors can be addressed using cost-reduction methods. In selecting such methods it is important to consider cost-saving potential versus impacts on performance measures including schedule, quality, and safety. To maximize their effects, these methods should be applied systematically from the very early stages of project development to post-letting.