Understanding the Phases of Roadway Design & Construction

Designing and constructing a roadway is far more complex than pouring asphalt. It’s a carefully planned, multi-phase process that balances engineering precision, regulatory compliance, and public safety — all while staying on schedule and within budget. At AASH Consultants, we bring decades of experience navigating these phases with clarity and confidence for our clients.

Here’s a breakdown of the typical phases of roadway design and construction and what each one involves.

Planning & Feasibility

Before any design work begins, a thorough evaluation of the project scope, objectives, and potential constraints is critical. This phase includes:

• Feasibility studies

• Environmental impact assessments

• Preliminary cost estimates

• Right-of-way reviews

This step ensures the project is viable, cost-effective, and aligned with the goals of the client and community.

Preliminary Design

Once the project is approved, engineers begin shaping the basic framework of the roadway:

• Initial horizontal and vertical alignments

• Conceptual layouts

• Utility impact evaluations

• Public input sessions

Preliminary design lays the foundation for decision-making and identifies any major challenges early in the process.

Detailed Design & Engineering

This is where precision takes over. During this phase, the design is refined and finalized to prepare for construction:

• Final roadway geometry

• Drainage and grading plans

• Traffic control design

• Pavement specifications

• Utility coordination

• Permitting

All drawings and technical documents are completed to ensure clarity for contractors and regulatory approval.

Procurement & Bidding

With final plans in place, the project moves into the procurement phase. This involves:

• Preparing bid documents

• Advertising the project

• Responding to contractor questions

• Selecting a qualified construction team

This step ensures the best value and fit for the project based on experience, cost, and timeline.

Construction

Construction officially begins with site prep and staging. Throughout this phase, consultants like AASH play a critical role in:

• On-site construction management

• Quality assurance and inspection

• Schedule monitoring

• Change order review

• Coordination with stakeholders

Our team helps ensure the project stays on track, follows the design intent, and meets all safety and quality standards.

Closeout & Final Inspection

Once the work is complete, the final steps ensure a smooth handoff:

• Punch lists and final inspections

• Documentation review

• As-built drawings

• Final payments and approvals

This phase confirms that the project meets all contractual and regulatory requirements — and that it’s ready for public use.

Every phase of roadway design and construction plays a vital role in a project’s success. At AASH Consultants, we’re committed to managing each step with precision, integrity, and communication — ensuring safe, efficient, and lasting infrastructure for the communities we serve.

Need support with an upcoming project? Contact us to see how we can help guide your roadway project from concept to completion.