In a recent Maven’s Notebook commentary, DCA Executive Director Graham Bradner shares how engineering, transparency and industry-standard cost estimating are guiding development of the Delta Conveyance Project.

“The Delta Conveyance Project is among the most significant water infrastructure investments in the state’s history. The project demands a high standard of technical rigor, transparency and realism in how costs and risks are assessed.

The most recent early-stage estimate, published in 2024, is designated generally as a Class 4 estimate under guidelines from the Association for the Advancement of Cost Engineering. Early-stage estimates are intended to support planning, feasibility analysis and alternatives evaluation. They do not represent final construction pricing.

As the project advances, the estimate will mature. Before participating water agencies consider funding decisions, the cost estimate will advance to a Class 3 level, supported by additional geotechnical data, more detailed engineering and independent peer review. This staged approach allows uncertainty to be reduced over time and supports informed, transparent decision-making.”

Read the full commentary in Maven’s Notebook.