The public infrastructure manager Rijkswaterstaat (RWS) faces challenges in effectively preparing and tendering projects for renovation and replacement (R&R) of bridges in the Primary Highway Network (Hoofdwegennet, HWN) and Primary Waterway Network (Hoofdvaarwegennet, HVWN). The project delivery framework for R&R projects, the ”R&R Approach,” has shown limitations for identifying the full scope of and accurately estimate costs in R&R projects, resulting in financial setbacks, project delays, and heightened risks to the long-term functioning of critical infrastructure.
The main aim of this thesis has been to identify the primary complexities in bridge renewal that cause financial setbacks and what mechanism underlie them, so that the causes of scope change and inaccuracy in the cost estimation can be mitigated through enhancement of the project delivery framework.