IMPLEMENTATION OF PROJECT BUNDLING

Project bundling (PB) is a process through which transportation agencies use a single contract award to contract for the construction of multiple bridges or roadways. Users aim to combine multiple projects into a single contract for continued development. The practice began to gain wide acceptance in the U.S. about five years ago; and, with the support of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Every Day Counts initiative, more and more agencies are now considering and applying PB. As its use increases, agencies are developing statutes, rules, procedures, and guidelines for implementation. The FHWA formed a technical working group (TWG) to support the wider application of PB, and both authors are members of this group—the lead author acting as TWG Chair, and the second author as a TWG member. This paper explores the FHWA works to popularize a contracting process that shows great potential. It also provides a compelling case study of one its early successes.