7.4.3 TCP Miscellaneous Details

Miscellaneous layouts and details are included in the plan set to depict items such as detours, temporary ramp details, temporary retaining wall/shoring details, etc. Specific information on the design of detours is provided in
Section 7.4.3.1
.
7.4.3.1 Detour Plans
Detours may be required to maintain traffic during certain construction stages. Detours may include rerouting traffic to existing parallel routes, constructing temporary paved routes, or a combination thereof. Impacts to existing parallel routes and the capacity to handle additional traffic must be analyzed. Improvements to detour routes may be needed, such as pavement overlay, bridge widening, bridge replacements, adjustment to signal timing or intersection improvement for truck turning movements.
Detailed layout and arrangement of construction signs, construction pavement markings, traffic control devices, and interim drainage facilities must be provided for each detour. Coordinate with the District Pavement Engineer to obtain detour pavement designs. Plans must include typical section, grade, stopping sight distance, horizontal curve radii, and superelevation, as appropriate. Refer to the RDM for temporary traffic control criteria. Consult the TMUTCD and the Traffic Standards to develop the TCP.
Considerations in developing detour plans include:
  • Determine if a temporary construction easement is required and coordinate this with District environmental and ROW staff;
  • Coordinate detour plans with local entities and major traffic generators;
  • Evaluate impact on existing utilities (e.g., access utility cover and clearances);
  • Make sure that nontypical and transition areas are modeled accordingly;
  • Consider safe operation for motorcycles, pedestrians and bicyclists in all stages of construction including pavement markings, traffic control devices, and barriers;
  • Consider impacts to schools, emergency vehicles, pedestrians, bicyclists, and neighborhoods due to traffic rerouting;
  • Detours must be designed to operate at the existing regulatory speed whenever possible. When this cannot be accomplished, an advisory speed may be used or a Request for Regulatory Construction Speed Zone (Form 1204) must be submitted. Design the detour to meet the approved lowered construction speed limit; and
  • Provide continuous safe access to all properties during construction. Staging and detour design must consider property owner access, and this must be included in the plans.
Coordination and preliminary approval of road closure/detour plans is initiated when a road closure or detour is first considered.
7.4.3.2 Approval Of Road Closure/Detour Plans
Closing a roadway during construction may impact local governments and businesses, emergency services, school districts, and the post office. Coordinate with entities such as the post office, county, city, school district, major employers, and emergency vehicle response teams to minimize the impact of a road closure on the community. Discussion and preliminary approval of road closure/detour plans is initiated when a road closure or detour is first considered.
On-system roadways must not be closed, unless highly unusual circumstances exist. On-system closures require an executed signed Form TEA30A “Agreement for Temporary System Closure of State Right of Way” obtained from CSD.
Impacts to off-system roadways may result from completely closing a roadway to rehabilitate or replace a bridge or from using an off-system facility as a detour route for an on-system closure. These impacts must be coordinated with the affected local entities. Obtain written concurrence from entities having jurisdiction over affected roadways. Place signed local entity concurrence documents in the project File of Record (see
Table 7-1
).
For all temporary road closures, prepare a Temporary Road Closure Approval Memorandum to be signed by the District Engineer that contains the following information:
  • Project description;
  • Detour route map (include location of the project site, the detour route including length and current physical condition, the amount of traffic (ADT), and the percentage of trucks using the road to be closed);
  • Anticipated road closure duration;
  • Recommendations to expedite project completion (i.e., calendar days, liquidated damages); and
  • Documentation of required notifications, concurrence letters and/or agreements.
Submit a signed copy of the District Engineer’s Temporary Road Closure Approval Memorandum to DES with the RTL plans and supporting documents.
Impacts to the traveling public due to detours may be calculated in the form of road user costs. If these impacts are substantial, a special provision may be included in the PS&E to require payment of increased liquidated damages by the contractor. Refer to the TxDOT.gov Road User Costs webpage for information on calculating road user costs.