Define project; road project estimate

A project is a set of planned, interrelated activities with a clear objective, definite scope, limited time and a fixed budget. A road project is the construction (or upgrading) of a road of a defined standard between two points.

Estimation of a road project

1. Survey and design data: reconnaissance and detailed survey, centre line, longitudinal section, cross-sections, traffic and soil (CBR) data, design standard (Nepal Road Standard 2070), drainage and structure design.
2. Quantities are taken out from the drawings:
   • Earthwork in cutting and filling from cross-sections (mean-area or prismoidal method); rock excavation separately.
   • Sub-base, base course, wearing course (bituminous or concrete).
   • Drainage: side drains, culverts, causeways, bridges.
   • Protection works: retaining and breast walls, gabion, bio-engineering.
   • Road furniture: signs, kilometre stones, guard stones, markings.
3. Rates from the District Rates and norms, with lead and lift for materials and plant (roller, grader, paver, tipper).
4. Abstract of cost: the cost of all items is totalled; overhead and profit, physical contingency (5%), supervision and administration, environmental mitigation, price adjustment and VAT 13% are added.
5. Report: introduction, design standards, quantities and rate analysis, abstract, specifications, drawings and construction programme.

Land acquisition and utility shifting are included as separate heads.