Section 2: Work Documents
Anchor: #b050005Traffic Control
Standard traffic signs that are well maintained and properly used promote public safety and gain the respect of the traveling public.
Erect warning and regulatory signs called for in the traffic control plan (TCP) at the appropriate locations. Require the contractor to cover signs placed prior to their need, and do not leave in place longer than necessary. Require the contractor to remove or cover signs that restrict the speed limit in a construction or maintenance work zones during any period for which restricted speed limit does not apply. Discuss the timing of sign erection and removal requirements at the Preconstruction Meeting. Locations of speed zone signs will be set by the Engineer.
Erect regulatory speed limit signs in the construction zone designating the limits of the roadway section where speed reduction is necessary for the safe operation of traffic and protection of construction personnel. Install the signs only to the limits needed. Even though the entire length of the project may have an approved City/County Ordinance, reduced speed limits are in effect only within the limits between the erected speed limit signs.
Regulatory Construction Speed Zones must have an applicable Commission Minute Order. Use Form 1204 to request a Regulatory Construction Speed Zone.
Advisory speeds are the desirable speeds for curves, intersections, or other locations where design standards or physical conditions of the roadway restrict safe operating speeds to values less than the maximum legal speeds or posted regulatory speed limit. Advisory speed signs may be erected within a regulatory speed zone to advise drivers of a safe operating speed to negotiate roadway features. A Commission Minute Order or City Ordinance is not required for advisory speed zones. Advisory speed zones are therefore more flexible as they may be changed without revising existing Commission minutes or ordinances.
Properly maintain all traffic control devices and ensure they are legible at all times, and in conformance with the contract, the Texas Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices for Streets and Highways, the Traffic Signals Manual and American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA) Quality Guidelines.
For more information on temporary traffic control for construction areas, refer to the Compliant Work Zone Traffic Control Device List. For information on construction speed zones, refer to the Procedures for Establishing Speed Zones.
Quarterly Traffic Control Inspections are to be completed by the district office in accordance with Section 4 of the Work Zone Safety and Mobility Guidelines.
Anchor: #b050020TCP Documentation
Document the TCP activities in the Daily Work Report (DWR) diaries. Report all discrepancies to the contractor immediately. Perform at a minimum two inspections per month (one during the day and one at night), and report discrepancies on Form 599. Consider increasing use of the form if discrepancies are not corrected within the expected time frames for priority 1 or priority 2 corrections.
Per Texas Administrative Code 43 TAC §5.10, “Collections of Debts,” the Department investigates incidents involving damage to highway property to identify the responsible party. If the Department has a reasonable claim and if the responsible party can be identified, the Department will seek reimbursement from the responsible party and/or the insurance company of the responsible party. If accidents occur, limit the documentation to the incident, date and time, and police incident number, noting which police department created the report. If there is damage to State Property by a third party, report the incident to the District maintenance section. Take several pictures of the damage.
Perform a detailed inspection of TCPs in the field immediately after traffic alignment changes. Documentation of these detailed inspections will be on Form 599. DWRs will state the phase to which traffic is switched. Document in the DWR changes to the TCP shown in the plans prior to or immediately after implementing the changes. Document changes that:
- Anchor: #LHAUFRCM
- alter the original TCP or Anchor: #PGJKRVRX
- make changes that increase or decrease sign or design traffic control requirements.
Refer to Chapter 4, Section 3 for more information regarding changes in TCP documentation.
Anchor: #b050021Open Records Requests for Form 599
File Form 599 separate from the project files in a folder labeled “DO NOT DISCLOSE - EXCEPTED FROM DISCLOSURE BY 23 USC §407.”
Forward all open records requests associated with barricade inspection checklists to the General Counsel Division (GCD) as soon as they are received. GCD will then facilitate communication with the Attorney General’s Office (AG).
The following GCD opinion applies to open records requests that pertain to the subject form.
“Barricade Inspection checklists (i.e., Form 599) fall under the category of safety information that federal law exempts from discovery, which makes them exempt from disclosure under the Public Information Act. The Attorney General’s Office routinely allows GCD to withhold these checklists, but not unless each time a request is received, GCD requests an opinion from the Attorney General’s Office within ten business days. The only time they may be given out is to the responsible contractor during routine monthly inspections.”
Based on this opinion, Form 599s, for both ongoing and completed projects, are not subject to disclosure except as noted above.
Anchor: #b050023Pedestrian and ADA Requirements
Pedestrian elements, including sidewalks, curb ramps and landings, pedestrian signal push buttons, crosswalks, etc., must be constructed to be accessible to all users, including disabled users. Ensure fixed objects such as sign and signal supports, controller cabinets, etc., are located where they will not obstruct the accessible path.
Ensure that information contained in the Design Division (DES) ADA Inventory Data Entry Program (access rights required) is current. As construction improvements take place, it is critical that this database be updated in order to track and report Department progress to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) on an annual basis.
See Section 3, “Inspection by Outside Organizations,” for more information related to accessibility requirements.
Anchor: #b050006Working Drawings
The contract may require that the contractor furnish working drawings such as:
- Anchor: #IBUCFVSM
- shop drawings, Anchor: #OAOTVOSP
- supplementary bridge plans, or erection drawings for bridge structure components, Anchor: #CXJNRPYC
- sign supports, Anchor: #BWHGKYXN
- illumination facilities, and Anchor: #WFNBGJDC
- other items.
A licensed professional engineer must sign, seal, and date working drawings in accordance with Article 5.2, Table 1 “Signature and Approval Requirements for Working Drawings,” or as otherwise specified in the plans. Handle the review and approval of these drawings and other required information according to instructions found in the specifications. Refer to Item 5 and the Department’s Shop Drawings webpage for requirements associated with working drawing submittals.