Section 4: Design Phase

RR SOW
 and Traffic Control Plan
(TCP)

RRD will send a request to the district for CSJ and associated spreadsheet of projects on the replanking. The district shall upload the CSJ to TRIMS. The district shall also inform RRD the following:
  • TxDOTCONNECT project number and CSJ.
  • If the district or railroad will prepare and provide temporary traffic control.
  • If the district or railroad will apply asphalt road approach work.
RRD will prepare RR Scope of Work (RR SOW) using the tabulation spreadsheet or Form 1876. If applicable, the district may provide the TCP detailing the signage and possible routes at the crossing.
 All plan sheets and non-standard TCPs must be signed, sealed, and dated by a licensed professional engineer.
If the railroad develops the traffic control plan, then TxDOT Standard TCP sheets may be used as a guide. The railroad shall submit the actual TCP to the district a minimum of 30 days before the closure is planned.
Whenever practical, the highway should be
fully closed in both directions
 for 36 to 48 hours and traffic detoured during construction, allowing the railroad company to replank the entire roadway to reduce construction time and provide a more durable crossing surface. Closing one side at a time, a typical practice on roadway construction projects, is usually not feasible on replanking projects due to issues in matching grades on the crossing surface panels and mobilization of railroad company crews. However, the crossing may be replanked at night or on a weekend in some cases, and this should be noted on the
RR SOW
. Alternatively, a temporary crossing
(shoofly)
 adjacent to the roadway may be
used
 if the roadway cannot be closed.

Railroad Company Approval

RRD
 will issue a letter to each railroad company with crossings on the Exhibit L and associated crossing data. The railroad companies will review the list and comment on any crossings as necessary. After all comments are resolved, the railroad companies send a signed letter to
RRD
 to:
  • Approve crossings on the list.
  • Verify crossing data shown on the list.
  • Clarify who will perform replanking work (railroad company
    labor
     or contractor).

Cost Estimates

If a Master Agreement which includes a provision for lump sum payment does not exist,
RRD
 provides the Exhibit A or
RR SOW
 to the railroad company to produce an estimate for work involved in replanking the crossing.
The district
may
 prepare a cost estimate for labor and materials provided by the district, although this work is not funded
through
 the replanking program.
RRD
 will review and approve railroad company cost estimates prior to preparing the individual project agreement. For further information on reviewing railroad company cost estimates, see Chapter 2.