128.3 Pavement Rehabilitation Projects - Non - Freeway Roadways
- Summary 2003
- Report 2002
- See also: Research Publications
The district prepares a 3R Conceptual Study Report for all Resurfacing, Restoration and Rehabilitation (3R) projects on non-freeway roadways. All 3R projects are designed to certain design criteria for rural and urban highways. These design criteria are only to be used for 3R projects. The values for urban highways apply to any portion of a 3R project located within the limits of a city or town. Justification for varying from these criteria must be submitted as a Design Exception.
Approval and submittal of the 3R conceptual study report are detailed in EPG 128.10.
128.3.1 Project Information
Any deficiencies, in addition to those included in the originally identified need, that require correction will be explained in the letter of transmittal.
128.3.2 Traffic Data
The designer requests traffic data from Transportation Planning or the TMS database.
128.3.3 Pavement Data
Part I of the 3R Conceptual Study Report shall be submitted to Construction and Materials at an appropriate time that will allow 4 to 6 weeks for a pavement evaluation to be completed and the appropriate pavement solution(s) returned to the district. The Contruction and Materials pavement section will provide the district with practical rehabilitation option(s) or the district may recommend a rehabilitation option and submit it to the Construction and Materials Division pavement section for approval.
If the district elects to recommend a rehabilitation option to Construction and Materials pavement section for approval, then the Strategic Highway Research Program manual (publication FHWA-RD-03-031) titled "Distress Identifications Manual for the Long-Term Pavement Performance Project" is used to describe the pavement distress. The pavement distress type and severity is documented. Any drainage issues are also documented. The amount of pavement repair is also estimated and included in the submittal.
If the distresses are such that the district is considering reconstruction for a given project, then Part I of the 4R Conceptual Study Report is also submitted to the Constructiion and Materials Division. However, a straight-line profile of the existing pavement for each direction of roadway is not required. The designer should allow 4 to 6 weeks for the evaluation to be completed and recommendations to be returned to the district.
The requirements of project scoping (EPG 104 Scope) cause identification of needs and the development of solutions to occur early in the project development process. Because of the time delay between scoping a project and actual construction, significant changes to pavement condition including accelerated pavement deterioration may occur which can make the original scoped pavement rehabilitation strategy inappropriate.
For these reasons, the original pavement rehabilitation strategy, provided with the 3R report, is reviewed once the construction dollars for the project fall within one or two fiscal years beyond the current year of the STIP. Any significant changes in the pavement condition or other project data will be evaluated. The purpose of this review will be to ensure that the correct rehabilitation strategy is being used to address the pavement deficiency. This re-evaluation is conducted in a time frame that will allow any necessary adjustments to the estimated cost to occur prior to the inclusion of the construction funds in the current year of the STIP.
Should there be a need to change the recommended strategy, an approval process similar to that for the original 3R report will need to be followed for the revised strategy.
128.3.4 Geometric Data
The horizontal alignment, vertical alignment, and other features of the highway section are compared to adjoining sections. Any items within the clear zone are listed. A design exception, if necessary, is prepared and submitted for approval that reflects the minimum distance to objects in the clear zone.
128.3.5 Accident Data, Safety Enhancements, and Access Management
The accident data is obtained from the TMS database. The calculation for the project accident rate is shown in EPG 128.5. The designer carefully analyzes the accident data. Any unusual circumstances are noted and recommendations for correction are proposed. Safety enhancements such as guardrail or bridge modification, management of access, and the need for bicycle/pedestrian facilities are also discussed.
128.3.6 Construction Sequence, Traffic Control, and Construction Incentives
The 3R report will contain a discussion of how the construction of the improvement will affect the existing traffic and any recommendations for the construction sequence that will minimize those impacts. A discussion of the traffic control that will be used during construction and the necessity for any construction incentives to shorten the time that normal traffic flow is disrupted is also included in the report.
128.3.7 Project Cost Data
The 3R report contains a current estimate of the proposed costs of the improvements. Details on the preparation of project estimates can be found in EPG 104 Scope.
