Source: https://www.quantsurv.com/sectors/transportation/roads
Content format: Markdown version of the public page.
Content reviewed: 2026-10-13

# Roads and highways

Quantity surveying and claims support for highway construction, junction improvements and associated civil works.

## Commercial challenges and how we approach them

Road projects can combine earthworks, pavement, drainage, structures and utility interfaces across several work sections. Temporary traffic arrangements and phased access may be part of the construction package. The account needs to distinguish those agreed arrangements from permanent works and later changes to the scope or sequence.

### Traffic stages changing the construction sequence

#### The Challenge

A different traffic stage can change the cost without changing the finished road. Smaller work areas, extra setups and temporary surfacing all affect the way the job is delivered.

#### Our approach

We compare the priced stages and closure windows with the instructed arrangements. Additional traffic measures and return visits are assessed separately from permanent quantities, so they are neither lost in the road rates nor charged twice.

### Utility diversions holding up the alignment

#### The Challenge

Road widening and junction work can depend on several utility owners completing diversions. Delayed releases or unexpected assets may prevent planned earthworks and drainage from proceeding continuously.

#### Our approach

We establish which diversion had to finish before each road workfront could open. Programme updates and site records then show whether another area was available and what resources were actually affected. A claim should explain that dependency and the steps taken to reduce the impact, not merely point to a late utility completion date.

### Pavement condition and treatment depth

#### The Challenge

Planing can expose weak pavement that the investigation did not identify. The repair depth and treatment may then change under the engineer's instruction.

#### Our approach

We reconcile the survey baseline, exposed-condition records and engineer's instructions. The account distinguishes additional depth and treatment from work already included in the specified pavement solution.

### Drainage, earthworks and material balance

#### The Challenge

Revised levels or unsuitable material can change drainage depths, cut-and-fill quantities and disposal. Those changes may be spread across different subcontract accounts and missed in the overall forecast.

#### Our approach

We reconcile revised levels, cut-and-fill surveys and material movements across the earthworks and drainage accounts. A change to one package must not disappear from the overall forecast or be counted in both.

### Testing and opening a complete road section

#### The Challenge

Surfacing may be finished before safety barriers, signs, drainage checks and other opening requirements are complete. A postponed opening can extend traffic measures and create disputed attendance costs.

#### Our approach

We check what the section-completion milestone actually requires, including the associated signs, barriers and drainage checks. If opening moves, the assessment separates unfinished original work from changed opening arrangements and identifies the additional traffic-management period supported by the records.