12.1 Approach

The following elements were considered when developing this conceptual opinion of probable construction costs for each phase of the project .

• yUse of recent cost information from similar projects : Recent bid prices for overhead utility underground conversion projects within the Town of Palm Beach and other similar , local coastal communities were used for the development of unit prices for this planning-level conceptual opinion of probable construction costs .

• yUse of comprehensive construction costs : Final bid prices for similar projects were used to develop unit costs that were applied to the overall program . This allows for inclusion of many smaller scale costs that may otherwise be overlooked during the master planning process .

• yUse of a consistent unit cost application methodology : Since it is not feasible to perform detailed design for the entire program at this time , bid prices from similar projects were used to create sample model project areas for single-family residential , commercial , and multi-family residential areas . These sample areas were

then scaled up based on the linear footage of overhead to underground conversion required in any given phase .

12.2 Sample Project Area Development

To develop unit costs that could be applied to quantities for a large-scale program area , unit costs associated with various “ sample projects ” representative of larger areas within the Town were developed . Kimley-Horn first used the sample projects to model the conversion of overhead utilities to an underground location within an assumed area . Kimley-Horn then prepared quantity estimates for the sample project area . Construction work elements estimated for the sample projects included the following :

• yConstruction general conditions ( mobilization , maintenance of traffic , bonds , survey , etc .)

• yFPL , AT & T , and Comcast main conduit installation

• yCable and equipment installation

• yService conduit installation

• yDirect Costs from FPL , AT & T , and Comcast for their labor , equipment , and materials related to both installation and demolition activities

• yPavement restoration

• ySite restoration

• yLandscaping for equipment screening

Based on the types of areas that exist within the Town , four sample project areas were developed to project costs across the Town-wide project . A summary of these four sample projects are described below :

1 . Residential Area / Roadway Installation ( i . e . Phase 1N , 2N , 2S , 3N , 3S , 4N , 5N , 6N , 7N , 7S ) – Units Costs were developed for this sample project area that considered installation of underground utility infrastructure within road right-of-way in a single family residential area where service lines would be converted from the rear to the front street .

2 . Residential Area / Non-Roadway Installation ( i . e ., Ibis Isle / Phase 1S ) – Unit costs for this sample project area were similar to the sample project above with the exception that costs associated with asphalt trench repair for installation of underground infrastructure within the roadway were removed . Costs were added to consider additional sodding requirements and potential driveway restoration associated with a conduit installation off the roadway .

3 . Midtown Area / Roadway Installation ( i . e . Phase 4S , 5S , 6S , 8 ) – Unit Costs for this sample project were developed considering overhead utility undergrounding within road right-of-way in a commercial area . This sample project included higher costs related to general conditions and maintenance of traffic , higher quantities of electrical and communication backbone , increased electrical and communications equipment density , and increased restoration costs .

4 . South End / Non-Roadway Installation ( i . e ., Phase 1S , except Ibis Isle ) – Unit costs for this sample project were developed for a representative section of a portion of the Town south of Sloan ’ s Curve . Equipment , feeder , and communication backbone costs are similar to the Midtown sample area with the exception that restoration costs are anticipated to be less because most infrastructure can be installed outside of the paved roadway .

12.3 Project Area Line Item Unit Costs

Based on the unit prices and quantities developed for each sample project area , total costs for each sample project area could be