Best Practice

BEST PRACTICE:

G4−16: Moving Lane Closures and Tapers at Mid−Day

DESCRIPTION:

A typical project lane closure includes the contractor closing as much lane as is anticipated to be constructed that day. With this practice, lane closures and tapers were moved at mid−day to where the contractor had completed operations up to that time. The length of lane closure remaining was that amount the contractor anticipated needing to complete the day's operations. This reduced lane closure distances by up to 4 km (2.5 miles).

REASON(S) FOR ADOPTING:

To eliminate delay during peak travel times and direction.

PRIMARY BENEFIT(S):

Moving up the lane closures decreased the length of traffic backups and the amount of time it took motorists to get through the work zone. The contractors realized increased production benefits by having their asphalt trucks arrive on the project quicker since trucks did not wait as long in traffic backups.

MOST APPLICABLE LOCATION(S)/PROJECT(S):

This practice of moving lane closures and tapers up to the mid−day production point is recommended to be included on all future Interstate and major freeway type projects. This practice is recommended for inclusion into the Illinois Department of Transportation standard specifications.

STATE(S) WHERE UTILIZED:

Illinois

SOURCE/CONTACT(S):

Tim Kell, Bureau of Construction, Illinois DOT
Telephone: (217) 782−6667