What is meant by "New Work" in highway construction?

"New Work" in highway construction refers to any projects or tasks initiated by the Department that do not fall under previously established categories or items. This involves the creation or installation of fresh infrastructure or components that are not merely repairing or altering existing structures. The term emphasizes the development of new facilities, extensions, or enhancements that are beyond routine scopes of work.

The nature of "New Work" makes it distinct from updates to existing infrastructure, which would generally be categorized differently, focusing on maintenance or improvements rather than entirely new undertakings. While routine maintenance is critical to the upkeep of highway systems, it is not considered new work because it deals with existing assets rather than creating or installing new ones. Additionally, work completed by subcontractors can be part of a broader project, including both new and existing work, but does not in itself define what "New Work" signifies within the context of highway construction. Thus, the focus remains on the initiatives that the Department specifically designs as new projects, warranting separate categorization and management.