Cost Diverge in Road Construction Activities as a Function of Project's Characteristics

This study investigates the relationship between cost diverge in major road construction activities and project's physical characteristics. It is based on a sample of 100 road construction projects awarded in the West Bank in Palestine over the years 2004-2008. The investigated activities in this study are earthworks, base works, and asphalt works. The statistical analyses indicated that the average cost diverge in earthworks is -15.67%, in base works is 12.86%, in asphalt works is 18.54%, and in furniture works is 36.43%. Based on the collected data, regression models between costs diverge in each investigated activity and physical project characteristics (i.e. road width, road length, terrain condition, ground condition, and soil quality) are formulated.