4.5.2 Key Points Regarding General Notes
Refer to the TxDOT.gov
for specific best practices in developing General Notes.
The General Notes are project specific. The contents should be adapted to each project based on the scope of work, bid items and specifications such as:
- Call out modified standard plan sheets at the beginning of the General Notes;
- Add District contact info for contractor questions - name, email, phone;
- Include specific notes as required including Traffic Generator Events, Safety Contingency, and Erosion Control; and
- Include project-specific general notes as needed.
Avoid use of notes furnishing quantities that are subject to change because of sequence of construction operations (e.g., designating portions of unclassified road excavation as rock excavation or foundation course) has resulted in confusion in interpretation and in some cases litigation in which the department has been successfully contested.
Where quantities for subsidiary items are available and are accurate, they should be shown but should be labeled
“FOR CONTRACTOR’S INFORMATION ONLY”
.Word all proposed plan notes so that they are clear, concise and can have only one meaning.
Per Standard Specification Item 7, Section 2.3, a safety contingency force account is required for all projects and the following note must be used:
“The Contractor Force Account ‘Safety Contingency’ that has been established for this project is intended to be utilized for work zone enhancements, to improve the effectiveness of the Traffic Control Plan, which could not be foreseen in the project planning and design stage. These enhancements will be mutually agreed upon by the Engineer and the Contractor’s Responsible Person based on weekly or more frequent traffic management reviews on the project. The Engineer may choose to use existing bid items if it does not slow the implementation of the enhancement.”