Text from 'Full Freeway Closures' PowerPoint Presentation

Slide 1

Full Freeway Closures

Recent Success Stories In Kentucky

Kentucky Transportation Cabinet

Slide 2

Why Choose Full Closure Of Two Major Interstates?

Slide 3

The Answer

Photo 1: Heavy traffic on a highway.

Photo 2: Roadside Changeable Message sign that reads "PREPARE TO BE ANNOYED"

Speaker notes:

Our local district office and the community expressed to the Cabinet that this level of service is unacceptable

Slide 4

Advantages Of Full Closures

Impact on customers (travelers) is for a much shorter duration than traditional part width-construction.
Use of detour is a safer driving environment than being stuck in traffic in traditional part width construction.
Safer working environment for the contractors.
Receive a higher quality end product.

Slide 5

Disadvantages Of Full Closures

Limited locations it can be used.
More coordination and planning needed up front.
More expensive?

Speaker notes:

While some might think it would be more costly to perform construction under a full closure, it is actually no more expensive if you factor in the users' costs from the delays caused by traditional methods.

Slide 6

Kentucky’s First Experience with Full Closures

I-65 in Louisville, Kentucky

A 90 Day Project in 107 Hours

2000

Slide 7

Traditional Traffic Control vs. Full Closure

Using Traditional methods, work would have taken approximately 90 working days as opposed to two weekends for the full closure.
Using traditional methods, estimates showed severe traffic congestion throughout the day (6am-6pm).
Using a full closure has larger impact on the traveling public, but for a much shorter duration. This holds with the Cabinet's philosophy of, "Get In, Get Out, & Stay Out."
Using a full closure gave the Cabinet the opportunity to complete supplemental needed repairs in the work zone.

Slide 8

Facts About the I-65 Project

ADT of 130,000 vehicles (approximately 50% commercial truck traffic)
Work zone six miles in length
Replaced bridge expansion joints (17NB & 27SB)
Resealed bridge expansion joints (2NB & 6SB)
Patched bridge decks (5 Bridge NB & 5 Bridges SB)

Slide 9

I-65 Detour

The total detour length was 20 miles; however, the detour was only 7 additional miles longer than the original route.
Twelve side streets were partially or completely closed during the two weekends.

Diagram: Map shows I-65 running north-south and alternative detour route, I-264, running east and north to I-64, north to I-265 and west back to I-65.

Slide 10

Kentucky’s Second Experience with Full Closures

I-64 in Louisville, Kentucky

An Eight Month Project in 8 Weekends 2001

Slide 11

Traditional Traffic Control vs. Full Closure

Using Traditional methods, work would have taken approximately eight months as opposed to 8 weekends for the full closure (the Cabinet estimated 15 weekends).
Using traditional methods, traffic modeling showed severe traffic congestion throughout the day with possible backups of 15 miles.
Using a full closure has larger impact on the traveling public, but for a much shorter duration. This holds with the Cabinet's philosophy of, "Get In, Get Out, & Stay Out."
Full closure allows the Cabinet the opportunity to complete supplemental needed repairs in the work zone.

Slide 12

Facts About the I-64 Project

ADT of 100,000 vehicles
Work zone 3.3 miles in length
135,000 tons of asphalt placed (paved approximately 13 lane miles)
Poured 428 CU.YDS. Of concrete overlays on bridges and in the tunnels
New barrier walls placed on the bridges & inside the tunnels
10 acres of sod placed in the median
40,000 tons of stone used on shoulders and for road repairs
30,000 feet of guardrail installed/replaced (1/3 rustic guardrail)
Installed video cameras, vehicle detectors, & variable message signs
New lighting system placed in the tunnels
90 new street lights installed

Slide 13

I-64 Weekend Project

The Faster Way to Go

Project Description

Interstate 64 will be closed between the Watterson Expressway (I-264) and Spaghetti Junction. The project will consist of pavement rehabilitation, repairs within the Cochran Hill Tunnels, new guardrails and signage, and an improved aesthetic relationship with Cherokee and Seneca Parks. Costing $21 million, this is the first significant repair project along this portion of I-64 since the road was built in 1970.

Description of Detour

Travelers are encouraged to use I-71 as an alternate route. Detour signs and local law enforcement will be along the detour route to assist motorists. For detour and closure information call the I-64 hotline (502)-367-6411 or visit www.kytc.state.ky.us

Duration of Project

The closures will be every weekend beginning August 10^th and lasting through November 19^th. Interstate 64 will be closed in both directions each weekend from 9:00 p.m. Friday to 6:00 a.m. Monday morning.

Diagram: Map shows I-64 and an alternate detour route to the north, I-71, both running east-west from Spaghetti Junction to Watterson Expressway (I-264).

Speaker notes: Detour is approximately 3 miles longer than the original route (directly down I-64)

Slide 14

Steps to Insure Success

Public Awareness/Public Information Campaign

Partnering with the media
Newspaper & Radio Advertising
Personal visits to businesses & residents along work zone
Use of ITS systems (TRIMARC)
Sent flyers to trucking industry
Placed information on CB radio
Cabinet setup a local phone number to give information

Photo: Newspaper advertisement stating the following: I-65 closed for repairs. I-65 will be closed for repairs from Watterson Expressway to Spaghetti Junction. I-64 & I-71 will be open at the Kennedy Bridge. Southbound, September 15-18, 9 p.m. Friday until 6 a.m. Monday. Thanks to our team of Highway Super Heroes. The second leg of the 90 day job to repair I-65 will be completed in one weekend. Photo of 8 highway workers with the quote: "We stand for Truth, Justice and the Kentucky Highway."

Speaker notes:

Numerous interviews with local media.
Cabinet sought the media out to cover the story (proactive vs. reactive)
Gave media extensive access to the project
Door hangers on all houses within two block radius of the work zone.
Placed information on TRIMAC signs one week in advance of the closures.
Mailed over 40,000 flyers to truckers showing detour and times of closures on both weekends.

Slide 15

Steps to Insure Success (CONT'D)

A Sound Traffic Control Plan

Advance signage/Intensive signage
Comprehensive Traffic Control Plan
Involvement of local and state police
Used helicopters to monitor traffic flow

Speaker notes:

Placed numerous signs approaching and along detour to inform drivers. Had variable message signs as far out as Tennessee state line NB and Indianapolis SB.
Placed wreckers along detour route in locations where a wreck could close the detour so impact to traffic could be minimized.

Slide 16

Results

No major backups
No traffic accidents
Public's needs better served
More respect for the Cabinet from the community
Safer, more efficient work zone environment

Slide 17

Lessons Learned

Full closure is a viable traffic control alternative.
Public awareness is vital to the success of full closures.
Public prefers full closures as compared to traditional traffic control methods.