Best Practice

BEST PRACTICE:

A1−6: Total Closures to Accelerate Work and Minimize Delay

DESCRIPTION:

Total closures of a section of road are used for a period of time to efficiently complete construction and minimize overall impacts to travelers.

Full road closure is designed to eliminate the exposure of motorists to work zones and workers to traffic by temporarily closing a facility for rehabilitation or maintenance. During full road closure, traffic is detoured, allowing workers full access to roadway facilities. A full closure approach may be used for an extended period of time, on weekends or nights, or directionally on a segment of roadway.

REASON(S) FOR ADOPTING:

The main reason to adopt the practice is to accelerate the completion of construction projects and to minimize delays.

PRIMARY BENEFIT(S):

The contractor can work without worrying about traffic in the work zone. The total time to construct a project and the cost of the project are reduced. Use of full road closure can also result in positive public sentiment, increased productivity, and increased safety.

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

All locations where alternate routes are available and/or access can be restricted for a period of time, and reducing project duration is important.

STATE(S) WHERE USED:

Ohio

SOURCE/CONTACT(S):

JP Blackwood, City of Columbus
Phone: (614) 645−6016
E−mail: jpblackwood@columbus.gov