Constructability: A Quality Improvement Approach to Transportation Projects

Abstract

Pressures to develop transportation projects that are biddable, buildable, and maintainable may be greater today than ever before. As a result, many transportation agencies are concerned about the constructability and quality of design documents for roadway facilities. The Washington State Department of Transportation has performed a research study to develop a constructability review process (CRP) to improve the constructability of its projects. The CRP is composed of constructability reviews at various prescribed points in the project time line. The reviews incorporate constructability checklists and planned meetings among all of the disciplines involved. Implementation of the CRP is expected to reduce the number of construction change orders, the total cost of change orders, construction and maintenance staff, and the amount of resources and to lead to a “zero addendum” bid phase.

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References

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