Successful bids in the projects we examined averaged 6% below the Florida Department of Transportation's (FDOT) official preliminary estimates. Final construction costs averaged 9% above the award amounts, resulting in $32 million in cost overruns.
FDOT paid about $2 million above average bid prices for increased quantities of planned work. FDOT could avoid paying these premium prices by adopting a policy to pay only reasonable unit prices when quantity overruns occur.
FDOT advance payment practices for certain items resulted in $90,000 in potential lost interest earnings to the state. FDOT could avoid the loss of potential interest earnings by retaining a portion of the payment for certain contract items.

Highway Construction and Engineering and Transportation System Maintenance Programs
Report 99-29 January 2000
Follow-Up Report on the Florida Department of Transportation's Performance In Controlling Cost Overruns and Establishing Accountability for These Problems
Report 98-24 December 1998
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
Review of the Florida Department of Transportation's Performance in Controlling Construction Cost Overruns and Establishing Accountability for These Problems
Report 96-21 November 1996

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.