Attachment C.pdf

601.1 601.1.2

DIVISION 600

MAINTENANCE AND CONTROL OF TRAFFIC

SECTION 601

WORK ZONE TRAFFIC CONTROL

601.1 Description

601.1.1 General

This section contains specifications for the materials, equipment, construc tion, measurement, and payment for work zone traffic control conducted within the highway right-of-way in conformity with the Plans, the Specifica tions, or as directed by the RCE.

The sections in Division 600 specify provision, fabrication, installation, performance, maintenance, relocation, and removal requirements of all traffic control devices, methods, and procedures as required by the Plans, the SCOOT Standard Drawings, the Special Provisions, the Supplemental Speci fications, the manufacturer's requirements and specifications, the latest edi tion of the FHWA Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices adopted by the Department, hereinafter referred to as MUTCD, and the RCE.

The MUTCD, in effect when the Contract Proposal was advertised, pro vides the minimum requirements for installation, operation, and maintenance of all traffic control devices.

For all sections in Division 600, the term "the Specifications" includes these Standard Specifications, the Special Provisions, the Supplemental Specifications, the Supplemental Technical Specifications, SCOOT Qualified Product Lists, SCOOT Qualified Product POlicies, all SCOOT Construction and Traffic Control Policies, and all documents of any description including notes on the Plans and the SCOOT Standard Drawings that provide direc tions, provisions, and requirements pertaining to the method and manner of performing the work, the quality and quantity of materials furnished, and the measurement and payment of work required to satisfactorily complete the project. All of these documents are the current edition in use by the Depart ment.

601.1.2 Traffic Control Plan

Provide a Traffic Control Plan for the maintenance and control of traffic during work within the highway right-of-way. This includes work by the Con tractor, subcontractor, sub-subcontractor, supplier, or anyone working within the highway right-of-way. Include in the Traffic Control Plan procedures and guidelines for providing for the safe passage of traffic through and/or around the project area with the intent of minimizing inconvenience to the traveling public. Ensure that the Traffic Control Plan is in conformity with the require ments of these specifications, the Plans, the SCOOT Standard Drawings, the

601.1.2 601.1.3

Special Provisions, the Supplemental Specifications, the manufacturer's re quirements and speciflcations, the MUTCD, and the RCE.

2 Traffic control includes provision, installation, maintenance, repair, re-placement, relocation, and removal of all traffic control devices used for regu lating, warning, or directing traffic. All items remain the property of the Con tractor unless otherwise indicated in the Specifications or on the Plans.

3 Obtain approval for any Traffic Control Plan revisions due to modifications of the Plans, the plan quantities, the Specifications, and the project staging as presented in the Traffic Control Plan. Final approval of such revisions will be pending upon review by the DCE. Provide the RCE with a written request for each revision to the Traffic Control Plan not less than two weeks before im plementation of the proposed revision.

4 Do not use off-road construction equipment or vehicles on portions of roadways open to the public. Include details for the use of all construction equipment or vehicles on portions of the roadway that are open to the travel ing public in accordance with the Traffic Control Plan.

5 When the Specifications or the Plans do not cover a necessary traffic con-trol condition, obtain approval from the RCE for a plan of traffic control before beginning the work that requires traffic control.

6 The RCE is responsible for requesting the assistance of the South Carolina Highway Patrol or local law enforcement when necessary unless the Contract includes a specific bid item for providing law enforcement assistance.

601.1.3 Restrictions

The Department reserves the right to restrict the installation of lane clo sures on Interstate highways and high volume primary routes when the pres ence of a lane closure would hinder normal traffic flow during holidays, ex tended holiday periods, weekends, special events, or any time traffic is un usually heavy. The Department's right to restrict construction operations in cludes, but is not limited to, lane closures, road closures, shoulder closures, pacing operations, or any operation that would affect the efficient flow of traffic as determined by the RCE. Do not close travel lanes of high volume high ways during peak traffic periods or at any time the traffic volume exceeds the numerical values determined to be acceptable by the RCE. Do not close lanes or streets with high volume commuter traffic in cities and urban areas during peak traffic periods unless otherwise specified and approved by the

RCE.

2 As stated above, the Department reserves the right to restrict construction operations when the continuance of the work would hinder normal traffic flow during extended holiday periods. An extended holiday period is hereby de fined as those days preceding and following a holiday that experience signifi cant increases in the volume of traffic due to the holiday as determined by the Department. The Department reserves the right to increase an extended holiday period if excessive traffic volumes occur during the days before and after the established extended holiday period. Extended holiday periods in-

601.1.3 601.1.4 clude, but are not limited to, the week of ThankSgivin~, the weeks before and after Christmas, and the weeks before and after the 4t of July. Submit inquir ies to the RCE regarding specific days of an extended holiday period not less than two weeks before entering into an extended holiday period. Make inquir ies annually due to the progressive nature of the calendar.

3 The Department prohibits lane closures on multilane primary routes and Interstate highways during holidays, holiday weekends, or special events unless otherwise directed by the Department. A holiday occurring on a week day may require an extension of the holiday restrictions due to the proximity of the weekend as determined by the RCE. The Department defines most holiday weekends as from 12:00 noon of the Friday before the weekend or of the day before the holiday until 6:00 a.m. of the Monday after the weekend or the day after the holiday. The Thanksgiving holidays are defined as from 12:00 noon of the Wednesday before Thanksgiving Day until 6:00 a.m. of the Monday after Thanksgiving Day. The Christmas holidays are defined as from 6:00 a.m. of December 23rd through 6:00 a.m. of January 3rd. The RCE may extend Christmas holiday restrictions due to the proximity of the weekend.

Easter holidays are defined as from 12:00 noon of the Thursday before Easter until 6:00 a.m. of the Tuesday after Easter. Special events are events gener ating excessive traffic as determined by the RCE.

4 Observe all time restrictions regarding lane closures, road closures, shoul-der closures, or pacing operations. The RCE may extend these time restric tions as traffic conditions warrant. The Department reserves the right to sus pend a lane closure or road closure if the RCE determines the resulting traffic backup is excessive. Observe and maintain all job specific time restrictions as specified by the Plans, the Specifications, and the RCE. Install and re move lane closures, including all relative traffic control devices and signs, within all time restrictions. Coordinate work activities requiring lane closures, road closures, shoulder closures, or pacing operations in accordance with all restrictions.

601.1.4 Contractor's Responsibility

These specifications set forth specific procedures and requirements and do not relieve the Contractor of any responsibilities incurred by the Plans, the SCOOT Standard Drawings, the Specifications, the manufacturer's specifica tions, the MUTCD, and the RCE.

2 The Contractor is responsible for maintaining the Traffic Control Plan as required by the Plans, the Specifications, the MUTCD, and the RCE. Ob serve all requirements of the Traffic Control Plan, and ensure that all subcon tractors working on the project site observe all requirements of the Traffic Control Plan. Before beginning any work, submit a plan for constructing the project and maintaining traffic to the RCE and obtain the RCE's written ap proval for the submitted plan before beginning the work.

3 Schedule and arrange all work, equipment, and materials to ensure the least inconvenience and the utmost in safety to the traveling public and to the Contractor's and the Department's forces. In observance of all safety regula-

601.1.4 601.2.1 tions set forth by the Specifications, each Contractor, subcontractor, sub subcontractor, or anyone working on contiguous and overlapping projects must coordinate work activities as determined by the RCE.

Maintain the travel patterns directed by the Traffic Control Plan and execute the construction schedules expeditiously. Provide the RCE with not less than a two-week prior written notification of any impending changes in the traffic patterns, including, but not limited to, lane closures, road closures, shoulder closures, and flagging operations and obtain RCE approval for each event that modifies the travel patterns, such as lane closures, road closures, shoul der closures, and flagging operations.

Provide individuals properly trained in traffic control practices in accordance with Department requirements. Ensure that these individuals provide quality assurance of the installation and maintenance of the Traffic Control Plan.

Have a person in charge of the traffic control on the job site at all times when construction activities are in progress. Also, have a person available 24 hours a day in case of an emergency or failure of traffic control devices.

The Traffic Control Plan may require installation and maintenance of detour signs outside the immediate project limits. In such cases, the Contractor is responsible for installing and maintaining these detour signs as required by the Plans, the Specifications, and the RCE.

The Contractor is responsible for maintenance of the traffic from time the Contractor installs the permanent or initial temporary construction signs until the project reaches substantial completion of work. Conduct weekly daytime inspections of the project traffic control devices and configuration to determine the adequacy, effectiveness, and maintenance requirements of the Traffic Control Plan. Conduct a monthly nighttime inspection and an inspection whenever the traffic pattern is changed. Due to conditions uncharacteristic to a roadway without construction, prudent revisions may be necessary to pro vide for the protection of the traveling public and the safety of all personnel working on the project site.

The Contractor is responsible for installation, maintenance, and perform ance of all traffic control devices. Install, maintain, and ensure the perform ance of these traffic control devices as required by the Plans, the Specifica tions, and the device manufacturer'S specifications.

601.2 Materials

601.2.1 Storage of Materials and Equipment

The Contractor and subcontractor are prohibited from storing material and equipment adjacent to a roadway in an unsafe manner. When the right-of way and space is available, store material and equipment at the greatest pos sible distance from the near edge of the adjacent travel lane.

2 On urban roadways with limited right-af-way and on rural roadways, store material and equipment not closer than 15 feet from the near edge of the adjacent travel lane when space is available. Whenever space is limited and

601.2.1 601.4.1 the 15-foot clear distance is not available, store material and equipment at the greatest possible distance from the near edge of the adjacent travel lane and supplement the complete length of the storage area with portable plastic drums spaced at 5-foot intervals.

3 On Interstate highways, do not store material and equipment closer than 30 feet from the near edge of the adjacent travel lane.

4 Utilize areas protected by guardrail or temporary concrete barrier when available. See Subsection 605.4.3.2 and 605.4.3.3 for restrictions on storing materials and equipment behind temporary barriers.

5 These requirements for storage of material and equipment also apply to parking of employee's personal vehicles and storage of portable sign supports and other traffic control devices when not in use.

601.3 Equipment

Ensure that the equipment necessary for the proper construction of the work is on site, in acceptable working condition, and approved by the RCE as to both type and condition before the start of work under this section. Provide sufficient equipment to enable prosecution of the work in accordance with the project schedule and completion of the work in the specified time.

601.4 Construction

601.4.1 General

Provide advance warning arrow panels during the closure of a travel lane of a multilane roadway. The taper section of a lane closure requires not less than two arrow panels. If the Plans do not provide locations for the arrow panels during a lane closure, place one arrow panel at the beginning of the taper and another arrow panel at the end of the taper. These locations are for normal traffic conditions.

2 Ensure adequate sight distance when selecting the location of the taper for a lane closure. These locations may require adjustments due to horizontal and vertical alignments or due to some other type of physical obstruction that may prevent attaining adequate sight distance.

3 Install a changeable message sign as specified herein when required in a lane closure setup. Utilize changeable message signs in all lane closures installed on high-volume, high-speed multilane roadways. Using changeable message signs in lane closures installed on low-volume, low-speed multilane roadways are optional unless otherwise indicated on the Plans or directed by the RCE. Install and use a changeable message sign within a lane closure setup in conformity with the SCOOT Standard Drawings. Make certain that the pre-programmed messages are in accordance with the SCOOT Standard Drawings when used as part of the traffic control setup for lane closures. Use only messages pertinent to the requirements of the traffic control situation and the traffic conditions for display on a changeable message sign. At no time should the messages displayed on a changeable message sign duplicate the

601.4.1 601.4.1 legends on the permanent construction signs.

4 When a .recurring lane closure is not imposed for a period exceeding 24 hours, remove the changeable message sign from the roadway and place it in a predetermined area on the project site approved by the RCE where the sign is not visible to passing motorists.

5 On roadways with posted speed limits of 45 mph or less, where any work in the shoulder requires personnel, tools, equipment, materials, vehicles, etc., to encroach within 1 foot of the near edge of the adjacent travel lane, conduct the work under a lane closure setup instead of a shoulder closure.

6 On roadways with posted speed limits of 50 mph or greater, where any work in the shoulder requires personnel, tools, equipment, materials, vehicles, etc., to encroach within 1 foot of an adjacent travel lane on primary routes or within 10 feet on Interstate highways, conduct the work under a lane closure setup instead of a shoulder closure.

7 Properly delineate all travel lanes through construction zones to provide motorists with a clear and positive travel path. Reflectorize all traffic control devices in place on a project site during the hours of darkness. Portable plas tic drums are the preferred traffic control devices for use at night; however, the Contractor may use reflectorized cones at night during emergencies. The Contractor may substitute oversized cones for plastic drums during nighttime lane closures; however, the oversized cones are prohibited for use in shoul der closures during the hours of darkness. Plastic drums are the only traffic control devices permitted for use during nighttime shoulder closures.

8 During, but not limited to, widening projects, whenever two-lane, two-way traffic is separated by a relocation of one direction of the traffic and results in a vacant travel lane adjacent to a travel lane open to traffic, install portable plastic drums within the vacated travel lane immediately upon the traffic relo cation. Allowing multiple lanes of traffic to travel in the same direction on adjacent travel lanes separated by yellow centerline pavement markings is strictly prohibited. Install portable plastic drums in the same manner as re quired for a lane closure as indicated by the SCOOT Standard Drawings and directed by the RCE.

9 When working adjacent to or over travel lanes, ensure that dust, debris, tools, and equipment from the operation does not endanger motorists. When working over traffic, provide suitable safety platforms to catch falling materi als, equipment, or objects. Arrange these safety platforms so that they do not encroach on the vertical clearance necessary in the areas as determined by the Department.

10 When not in use, remove portable sign supports and all other traffic control devices from within 15 feet of a travel lane of a primary route and from within 30 feet of a travel lane of an Interstate highway. Ensure that all portable sign supports lie flat with the legs in the retracted position when not in use.

11 Conduct inspections of the project specified in paragraph 7 of Subsection

601.1.4 to determine the adequacy, effectiveness, and maintenance require-

601.4.2 601.4.3 ments of the traffic control devices. Repair or remove damaged traffic control devices from the job site. Immediately replace those traffic control devices removed from the job for repairs or due to failure with duplicated devices in proper operational condition. Maintain the required level of reflectivity and color by keeping all signs, barricades, drums, and cones clean and replacing damaged signs and traffic control devices. Take not more than 3 days to correct deficiencies and replace or repair traffic control devices that do not meet the Plans, SCOOT Standard Drawings, the Specifications, manufac turer's specifications, and the MUTCD unless otherwise directed.

601.4.2 Construction Vehicles

On roadways open to public travel, ensure that the Contractor's trucks and other construction related vehicles travel in the direction of normal roadway traffic. However, when these vehicles are operating within a closed travel lane, they may travel in either direction as necessary.

2 When working within the rights-of-way of access-controlled roadways such as Interstate highways, the Contractor's vehicles may only change direction of travel at interchanges. These vehicles are prohibited from crossing the entire roadway from right side to the median or vice versa. Use a flagger to control the Contractor's vehicles when these vehicles attempt to enter the roadway from a closed lane or the median area. Ensure that the flagger does not stop traffic, cause traffic to change lanes, or affect traffic in any manner. The Con tractor's vehicles may not disrupt the normal flow of traffic or enter the travel lane of the roadway until a sufficient gap is present.

601.4.3 Daytime and Nighttime Work

The Department defines the conditions of daytime and nighttime in accor dance with the level of natural light provided by the sun measured by a light meter. The terms "Daytime," "Hours of Daylight," or any similar term refers to a level of illumination greater than or equal to 54 Lx or 5 fc. The terms "Night time," "Hours of Darkness," or any similar term refers to a level of illumination less than 54 Lx or 5 fc.

2 In areas where work is being performed during the hours of darkness, fur-nish, place, and maintain lighting facilities capable of providing light of suffi cient intensity to facilitate good workmanship and proper inspection at all times. Arrange the lighting so that it does not produce glare or diminish the motorist's visibility.

3 Illuminate the work area by any combination of portable lights, standard electric lights, existing streetlights, etc., that provides the necessary illumina tion indicated in the following table.

601.4.3 601.4.5

Area of Illumination Work Activity Minimum Illumination Level Lx (fc)

General Cleaning,Sweeping, 54 (5) Tacking,Painting,etc.

TasksAroundEquipment Milling,Paving,Rolling, 108(10)I (50 footAhead/Behind) etc.I

601.4.4 Drop-offs and Changes in Elevation Adjacent to Travelway

Do not allow grade elevation differences and drop-offs greater than 1 inch adjacent to or between adjacent travel lanes open to traffic during surface planing and milling operations. If the grade difference exceeds 1 inch, either mill or surface plane the adjacent travel lanes or pave the milled travel lanes as necessary to eliminate the grade elevation differences before opening the travel lanes to traffic.

Do not allow drop-offs greater than 2 inches next to traffic or within 6 feet or less of the near edge of an adjacent travel lane; however, if the Contractor is actively working in the immediate vicinity, a drop-off of more than 2 inches is permitted. Eliminate these drop-offs at the end of each day's work and at the completion of the construction activities.

During the rough grading operations, provide for the safe movement of traffic by excavating the earth next to the travel lane open to traffic to a 6: 1 slope until the fine grading begins. During the fine grading operations, pro vide for the safe movement of traffic by placing a material approved by the RCE next to the travel lane open to traffic at a 6:1 slope. Prepare the 6:1 slope at the end of each workday as necessary.

Do not allow drop-offs greater than 2 inches between adjacent travel lanes open to traffic during paving operations. Acceptable drop-offs on multi-lane facilities are limited to not more than one drop-off between adjacent travel lanes carrying traffic in the same direction. Begin the necessary work to eliminate acceptable drop-offs between adjacent travel lanes open to traffic within 3 working days of creating the drop-offs unless otherwise directed by the Plans or the RCE. Observe all restrictions regarding grade elevation dif ferences and lane closures by maintaining an approved construction sched ule. Obtain the RCE's approval of the schedule for all milling, paving, or any similar operations before beginning the work.

601.4.5 Excavations Adjacent to Travelway

On roadways with posted speed limits of 45 mph or less, do not sustain an open excavation within 15 feet of an adjacent travel lane during anytime the Contractor is not actively engaged in construction activities directly related to the excavation or present at the site of the excavation. Either close the adja cent travel lane or install and maintain temporary concrete barrier wall to pro tect these open excavations whenever not actively engaged in work activities directly related to the excavation or not present at the site of the excavation.

601.4.5 601.6

2 On roadways with posted speed limits of 45 mph or less, close both adja cent shoulders during excavation work in a grassed median area if the work is within 15 feet of both adjacent travel lanes.

On roadways with posted speed limits of 50 mph or greater, do not sustain an open excavation within 30 feet of an adjacent travel lane during anytime the Contractor is not actively engaged in construction activities directly related to the excavation or present at the site of the excavation. Either close the adjacent travel lane or install and maintain temporary concrete barrier wall to protect the open excavation whenever not actively engaged in work activities directly related to the excavation or not present at the site of the excavation.

On roadways with posted speed limits of 50 mph or greater, close both adjacent shoulders during excavation work in a grassed median area if the work is within 30 feet of both adjacent travel lanes.

Comply with all requirements for shoulder closures and lane closures as necessary when construction activities for catch basins or similar features are in progress.

During the construction of catch basins and other structures, the RCE will be the judge of which excavations or exposed structures within the construc tion limits are susceptible to contact with errant vehicles. Provide protective covers for excavations (i.e. catch basins) located within 6 feet or less of a travelway with metal plates capable of sustaining vehicular traffic unless oth erwise directed by the RCE. Delineate, with two or more 3-foot Type II barri cades or four or more portable plastic drums, excavations and structures (i.e.

completed catch basins or any structure that can be an obstruction to a vehi cle) located within 30 feet of a travel way as directed by the RCE. Utilize either the Type II barricades or the portable plastic drums for delineation pur poses; however, do not mix Type II barricades and portable plastic drums for delineation purposes. Disregard the requirement for metal plates and de lineation if guardrail or temporary concrete barrier protects the excavation or structure.

601.5 Measurement

The quantity for the pay item Traffic Control is paid for on a lump sum ba sis; and therefore, no specific measurements are made for this item.

2 Traffic control needed during repair or replacement of damaged or malfunc-tioning traffic control devices is considered incidental work for the item Traffic Control.

3 Traffic control needed during application of temporary or permanent pave-ment markings is considered incidental work for the item Traffic Control.

601.6 Payment

Work under this section is paid for in the lump sum pay item Traffic Control as specified in Subsection 107.12 and includes traffic control devices and work necessary for the proper protection of the traveling public and the con-

601.6 601.6 struction work zone, except where the Contract includes other pay items for specific traffic control devices.

Payment for Traffic Control is made as indicated in the following schedule.

Percent of Contract Completion Percent of Traffic Control Paid

1 - 5 20

6 - 15 40

16 - 29 60

30 - 49 70

50 - 69 I 80 f--

70 - 89 90

90 - 100 100

3 Payment is made in accordance with the above schedule as long as the adequacy of the traffic control measures are satisfactory within the guidelines set forth by the Plans, the SCOOT Standard Drawings, the Specifications, and the MUTCD as determined by the RCE. The RCE may assess appropriate reductions in payment when the Contractor does not use or maintain traffic control devices as required by the Plans, the SCOOT Standard Drawings, the Specifications, and the MUTeD.

The RCE will notify the Contractor when the traffic control is not being pro vided as specified. If the Contractor fails to provide the appropriate traffic control, the RCE will immediately suspend all work activities until the Contrac tor corrects the conditions. The RCE has the authority to withhold partial payment for work on the Contract if the traffic control is not provided as re quired.

When the Contract requires payment for Traffic Control on more than one project, each project is considered separately.

Payment for Traffic Control is full compensation for providing the proper traffic control during all stages of construction and includes furnishing, prepar ing, fabricating, installing, maintaining, removing, relocating, repairing, or re placing traffic control devices and signs as necessary, and all other materials, labor, hardware, equipment, tools, supplies, incidentals, and miscellaneous items necessary to fulfill the requirements of the pay item in accordance with the Plans, the Specifications, and other terms of the Contract.

Payment for Traffic Control does not include payment for permanent con struction signs, temporary concrete barrier, portable terminal impact attenu ators, changeable message signs, temporary pavement markings or pave ment markers, or any other item with a contract unit bid price.

Payment includes all direct and indirect costs and expenses required to complete the work.