4.5.6 Requirement for Highway Closures during Certain Periods

Texas Administrative Code (TAC) § 22.12
states that if a proposed improvement of the state highway system requires the closing of a highway, the department will, before entering into a contract for the proposed improvement, coordinate the highway closure by communicating in person or by telephone, e-mail, or other direct method of communication with public offices from municipalities affected by the closure to avoid any adverse economic impact on the municipality during:
  • Periods of increased travel on the state highway system, including major state and federal holidays and school holidays; and
  • Other periods of high commercial activity in the State, including limited periods in which certain items are exempted from the sales tax holidays.
During the
development of the final PS&E
 of each project, the following should be completed:
Include Special Provisions to Item 7
 on the Spec List for projects as required.
Add one of the following notes to Item 7 of the General Notes:
  • If the project’s proposed timeline does not include any key dates / special events, whether there are road closures anticipated or not, then the following note is required under Item 7 of the General Notes,
    “No significant traffic generator events identified”.
  • If the project’s proposed timeline includes key dates / special events, regardless of whether the project’s traffic control design proposes roadway closures, the District should confirm the key dates / special events in the area. In addition, the following note is required to be included under Item 7 of the General Notes,
    “Roadway closures during the following key dates and/or special events are prohibited:”
    , with a list of events and/or dates.
  • If a road closure during key dates / special events is unavoidable, an Economic Analysis is required and will be performed by Texas A&M Transportation Institute (TTI), through TPP. Begin coordination with
    TPP – Systems Planning Section
     to provide the following information so that TTI can proceed with the economic analysis:
    • Description of the project;
    • Description of the road closure;
    • Dates of the closure location; and
    • Information on the key dates/special events