Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability
Office of Program Policy Analysis and Government Accountability

Review of the Florida Department of Transportation's Performance in Controlling Cost Overruns and Delays When Building Roads and Bridges

Report 95-30, January 1996




Report Summary

  • Failing to complete transportation projects on time and within budget has been a chronic problem for FDOT. Projects completed during fiscal year 1994-95 had cost overruns that averaged $450,000 and took an average of 2 1/2 months longer to build than planned. These problems were generally attributable to five factors: 1) errors and omissions in project design plans; 2) inadequate coordination with local governments and utility companies; 3) problems identifying the scope of work that needs to be done; 4) changes made to project specifications after design plans are completed; and 5) damages to construction sites due to extreme weather.
  • FDOT is taking steps to address cost overruns and delays. However, additional steps are needed to help minimize these problems, including improving the quality of FDOT's review of design plans and expanding the Department's statutory authority to use innovative contracting methods such as design/build and cost-plus-time bids.
  • Report No. 97-22 Follow-up Report on the Florida Department of Transportation's Performance In Controlling Cost Overruns When Building Roads and Bridges (December 1997)
  • Report No. 96-85 Review of the Florida Department of Transportation Construction Bid and Contract Administration Process (May 1997); and
  • Report No. 96-21 Review of the Florida Department of Transportation's Performance in Controlling Construction Cost Overruns and Establishing Accountability for These Problems (November 1996)


Related Reports
  1. Assessing Privatization in State Agency Programs
    Report 98-64 February 1999
  2. Follow-Up Report on the Florida Department of Transportation's Performance In Controlling Cost Overruns When Building Roads and Bridges
    Report 97-22 December 1997
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
Copies of this report in print or alternate accessible format may be obtained by email OPPAGA@oppaga.fl.gov, telephone (850) 488-0021, or mail 111 W. Madison St., Room 312 Tallahassee, FL 32399-1475.
transportation, highway safety, cost overruns