Development of cost-sharing methodologies for utility works in road projects in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Roads Authorities in Sri Lanka are obliged to pay all costs associated with relocation and betterment works required/requested by utility service providers through the funds allocated for their initiated projects. Hence, unforeseen utility-related works make transferring a substantial portion of the allocated funds for road works. In some instances, contracts for utility projects were awarded when road works were nearing completion. In addition, there were no documented cost-sharing agreements between the roads authorities and utility service providers and no sound legislation that defines their powers. This burdens the project scope and impacts the Sri Lanka economy. In this context, identifying suitable remedial measures is essential to mitigate such impacts during the design and construction stages. Hence this research aims to develop methodologies for cost-sharing of utility works to resolve the influences of road and utility projects. A qualitative research method was adopted by selecting experts for semi-structured in-depth interviews using purposive sampling technique. . The research included conducting a desktop study of international cost-sharing practices and a document review for more data collection. Hence, this study will contribute to this sector’s knowledge gap to analyse the procedures and identify the areas to mitigate the utility work-related issues in Sri Lanka. It will also formulate cost-sharing methodologies for utility relocation, betterment works, and provision of new utility infrastructure in roads/infrastructure projects.