The consistent achievement of high-quality construction requires a strong commitment throughout the highway agency. It is most important that top management be committed to quality and that the commitment be conveyed to and perceived by the agency's inspection staff. Under traditional highway specifications it is very difficult, if not impossible, for management to consistently project this commitment. The use of quality assurance (QA) specifications can alleviate these problems. QA specifications can be a tool that aids top management in promoting and achieving construction quality.