Shorter Duration, Safer Work Zones, More Satisfied Travelers Successful Applications of Full Road Closure in Work Zones
Picture shows one direction of roadway fully closed to traffic with workers laying asphalt. The roadway is open in the opposite direction with traffic flowing.

"Without a doubt, closing the freeways allowed us to complete the work in a short amount of time, resulting in increased efficiency and a better product." - Ernie Savas, Regional Engineer, Michigan Department of Transportation

This is just one testimonial from a forward-thinking transportation official whose agency uses Full Road Closure to reduce congestion and crashes in work zones. This method uses facility closure and total traffic diversion, which may be for one direction or bi-directional traffic flow, to accelerate construction and reduce the negative impacts of work zones. With good planning, interagency communication, and pro-active outreach to businesses and communities, full closure can be successful and well-received.

Potential benefits of using full closure in work zones include:

  • Reduced project duration
  • Increased worker productivity
  • Improved safety
  • Improved product quality
  • Positive public sentiment
  • Cost savings

Weekend Full Closures Reduce Exposure to Work Zone Impacts.
The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) successfully used a full closure strategy to complete a major rehabilitation project on I-65 near Louisville. The project was the state´s first use of a sustained full closure. Originally estimated to take 90 days under part-width construction with maintenance of traffic, the project only took 104 hours over two weekends under the full closure method. The use of full closure reduced the exposure of the traveling public to the work zone, and impacts were reduced because the construction took place during off-peak periods. With the success of the full closure, the KYTC decided to use full closure on some future rehabilitation projects.


Picture shows a portion of the M-10 with the roadway surface removed and subsurface exposed. Pieces of construction equipment have full access to the facility and work unhindered.

Maintenance of Traffic Cost Reduced Significantly.
Full closure on the M-10 in Detroit, Michigan (Figure 1) allowed the project to be completed ahead of schedule. Access to some popular destinations would be limited during construction, making project timing and acceleration critical.

The bi-directional full closure enabled MDOT to:

  • Reduce standard maintenance of traffic cost by 75 to 90 percent
  • Reduce project duration by 71 percent
  • Allow for access to the Joe Louis Arena during hockey season

"M-10, the Lodge Freeway, is the main entrance to downtown Detroit. We chose to close an entire stretch of it in the downtown area in the summer of 2002 for reconstruction, opting to get it done quicker, at a lower cost, rather than spread the construction over two seasons. Travelers quickly found alternate routes, and the freeway reopened in two months, earlier than expected." - Maryann Mahaffey, President, Detroit City Council


Weekend Closures of I-84 Reduce Project Duration and Costs.
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) used full closure to repave the busiest road in the state. Rehabilitation on I-84 near Portland was originally scheduled for 2005, but the project schedule was moved up because of the bad condition of the roadway and availability of funding. To finish the roadwork before the end of the construction season, ODOT used two full closures (one direction at a time) to complete the project within a 10-day span, instead of 32 nights of work using traditional part-width construction. The use of full closure:

  • Reduced the overall cost of the project by $100,000; had the contract originally specified the use of full closure, ODOT engineers estimate that the total project cost of $2.5 million may have been cut in half
  • Reduced project time from an estimated 320 hours to 112 hours
  • Removed the traffic/work zone interaction, which reduced the exposure of traffic to work zones

I-95 Full Closure Improves Appreciation for DOT.
I-95 through Delaware serves as a major artery connecting the Northeastern corridor with the Southern states. A 12.1-mile section of I-95 was closed, one direction at a time over a 28-week period, to rehabilitate the road. Using full closure:

  • Improved public appreciation for Delaware DOT services
  • Reduced project duration by 75 percent
  • Removed the traffic/worker interaction, likely improving safety
  • Increased transit use through outreach and service enhancements; this greater use continued after project completion

Potential $10 Million and 30-Month Savings with Interstate Full Closure.
Picture shows a bridge crossing I-670 that is being expanded. Traffic flows on half of the bridge, with only the base constructed on the expanded section. The roadway surface has been removed from I-670 below the bridge with construction equipment having full access to the facility.

The Ohio Department of Transportation used full closure (Figure 2) during the rehabilitation of a major route through downtown Columbus, Ohio. The bi-directional reconstruction and widening project on I-670 is planned for completion in the fall of 2003, and is expected to save time and money, alleviate driver frustration, and potentially save lives.

The use of full closure is expected to:

  • Save costs, potentially up to $10 million
  • Maximize the available space for the contractor to work on a narrow project corridor
  • Reduce project time from four years to 18 months
  • Minimize the number of joints and seams, providing a higher quality ride

"Under the appropriate conditions, a full closure can be an effective way to complete projects faster and improve safety for highway workers and motorists." - Gordon Proctor, Director, Ohio Department of Transportation

More information on full closure in Work Zones may be found in Full Road Closure for Work Zone Operations: A Cross-Cutting Study

 Picture shows a section of the I-670 with roadway surface removed and base material exposed.



U.S. Department of Transportation Logo.
Federal Highway Administration
Work Zone Program
Room 3408, HOTO-1
400 Seventh St., SW
Washington, DC 20590


EDL#13794, FHWA-OP-03-086