Section 3: District Responsibilities
Anchor: #i999486Project Lead Time
The district should coordinate the timing of the railroad crossing work with the approved highway program. Since securing an agreement from a railroad company normally requires six to twelve months, or longer, the district’s letter of request, exhibits, and other necessary data must be submitted to the Traffic Operations Division (TRF) as early as possible.
As examples, pavement overlay and stripping work are usually handled by a letter agreement and can be approved by the railroad more quickly because they involve little or no railroad force account work. More complex projects (new crossings, widening existing crossings, or constructing grade separations) require more time — not just for the railroad — but also for TRF and Design Division (DES) review and approval. Underpass projects require the most detailed review by the railroad because the structure will be carrying trains and shoofly tracks are usually necessary during construction. The following table shows minimum lead times for these types of projects.
|
Project Type |
Minimum Lead Time |
|---|---|
|
Road Jobs |
6 months |
|
New Crossings, Complex Road Jobs, and Overpasses |
9 months |
|
Underpasses and Projects Involving Track Construction or Relocation. |
12 months |
These lead time requirements mean that all plan layouts and agreements must be completed so they can be submitted to the railroad in advance of the contract letting date.
TRF normally notifies the district if a project is in jeopardy of meeting the letting date and advises the district of the consequences.
Anchor: #i999510Plan Layout (Exhibit A) Preparation
The district performs all studies and surveys necessary to prepare the plan layout, title sheet, and supporting information required for Exhibit A of the agreement.
To minimize revisions, Exhibit A should be as complete as possible. Revisions increase the time needed to obtain an agreement and could delay letting if the railroad objects to the revisions.
NOTE: All plan layouts prepared by the district must be signed, sealed, and dated by a registered professional engineer.
Anchor: #i999530Work Order
The district issues the work order to the railroad for all projects except those involving the installation of new warning signal devices. TRF issues work orders for the installation of new warning signal devices contracted under terms of a signal agreement separate from the agreement for the crossing work.
Anchor: #i999540Pre-construction Meeting
For overpass, underpass, and road construction projects of a critical nature, the district or its contractor should host a pre-construction meeting. Representatives from the railroad, TxDOT’s contractor, and TxDOT should attend the meeting. The construction schedule and individual points of contact are discussed.
Anchor: #i999550Construction Inspection
The district advises the railroad on the status of construction work on a regular basis and provides construction inspection while railroad forces are performing work.
The district issues the completion letter for the project.