Abstract:
The highway system of every country forms an integral part of its development. The
construction of this highway poses many challenges to inhabitants. Due to cash flow
difficulties and others like Variations/Changes in scope of project, highway
construction projects delays have become prevalent in Ghana. The effects of these
delays that manifest both directly and indirectly tend to be ignored by the authorities.
This research sought to identify the most significant causes and effects of delays and
suggests, effective ways to minimize/mitigate them. The study was conducted through
questionnaire survey supplemented with interviews among contractors and
consultants by assessing the importance they attach to factors causing delays and
ways in minimizing them. The research revealed the most significant effects of
highway construction delays as high interests paid on delayed claims and
compensations for fluctuation, traffic hold-ups and user delays, locked-up goods and
services in the communities, health hazards to users in traffic hold-ups for inhaling
carbon monoxide, soil erosion and higher labour and material costs. The rest are loss
of business to locals in the work zones, locked up capital in plant and equipment as
well as degrading landscape and aesthetics of towns and cities. Increased production
cost and depreciating incomes result into low quality of work and labour agitations.
The study identifies prompt payment, incentives for completion and realistic
calculations as the most effective ways of mitigating delays in highway construction
and its associated effects. The study also makes some recommendations on training of
personnel, well-resourced independent Road Fund and proposes authority for local
pressure groups to act as catalyst for early completion of projects and observance of
Environmental obligations.
Description:
A Dissertation in the Department of CONSTRUCTION AND WOOD
TECHNOLOGY EDUCATION, Faculty of TECHNICAL EDUCATION, submitted
to the School of Graduate Studies, University of Education, Winneba in partial
fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Master of Technology (Construction)
degree.
JULY, 2014