Civil Engineering Association

Guidance for Cost Estimation and Management for Highway Projects During Planning, Programming, and Preconstruction

This guidebook presents approaches to cost estimation and management to overcome the root causes of cost escalation and to support the development of consistent and accurate project estimates through all phases of the development process, from long-range planning, through priority programming, and through project design. A research team led by the Texas Transportation Institute carried out a comprehensive investigation into current and effective practices for cost estimation and management during the various planning and project development phases prior to construction. The project resulted in this practical guidebook. The guidebook should be of significant use to managers, practitioners, and decision makers interested in development and management of realistic and accurate cost estimates for transportation projects from the earliest stages of planning through final project design. The guidance provided is intended to provide methods and tools that will reduce unintended or unanticipated escalation of costs as transportation projects proceed through the development process.