709MILE {KILOMETER} POSTS

MILE {KILOMETER} POSTS 604

The Contractor shall be responsible for any damage done to the signs or posts which occur from any cause prior to acceptance as mentioned in Article 709.05. Signs and posts are to be stored under cover and protected from the weather and other damage until they are erected. Mile {kilometer} post assemblies designated to be reset shall be carefully removed and reinstalled at the designated new location. Removal methods will, in general, be at the option of the Contractor provided such does not damage the assembly. Any damage caused by the Contractor's operation or on account of carelessness negligence, loss of materials or failure to conduct the work properly shall require replacement in kind at no additional cost. Reinstallation shall be in the same manner as for new installation as noted above in this Article.

709.04Public Convenience and Safety

The Contractor's attention is directed to Article 107.07 and the following: No highway will be closed to traffic for the purpose of erecting mile {kilometer} posts. The Contractor will be required, without extra compensation, to provide adequate and acceptable warning signs, temporary guide markers and/or flagmen for directing traffic during working hours. All of the above shall be in accordance with Part VI of the current MUTCD. Traffic may be shifted to one 12 foot {3.6 m} lane, allowing the Contractor temporary use of one 12 foot {3.6 m} lane for the loading and unloading of materials. No loading or unloading of any kind will be permitted along the lane or lanes designated for highway traffic, nor will equipment be allowed to traverse roadways or lanes against normal traffic flow. In addition, should the Contractor's equipment damage the shoulders, ditches, slopes or pavement during the performance of this work, he shall restore said areas to the original condition without cost to the State.

709.05Acceptance of Contracts for Mile {Kilometer} Posts Only

As soon as the installation of all mile {kilometer} posts on a route to be marked has been completed in accordance with the plans and specifications and to the satisfaction of the Engineer, the Engineer may make final acceptance of such work. After final acceptance of the mile {kilometer} posts on a particular route has been made, the Contractor will be relieved of any further maintenance of the mile {kilometer} posts for that particular route. Final acceptance of the entire contract will be made as soon as all work required by the contract has been completed and accepted.

709.06Method of Measurement

The measurement of Mile {Kilometer} Posts will be made for the actual number of complete mile {kilometer} post assemblies of each designated type, installed complete in place. The measurement of Mile {Kilometer} Posts Reset will be made for the actual number of complete mile {kilometer} post assemblies, regardless of type, removed and reinstalled, complete in place.

709.07Basis of Payment

The accepted Mile {Kilometer} Posts, furnished as directed and measured as noted above, will be paid for at the respective contract unit price bid for each of the items of the contract, which shall be full compensation for the furnishing and processing of all materials, fabrication, erection and assembling or assembly and delivery to the designated location, transportation, including excavation, backfilling and incidentals necessary to complete the work. The accepted Mile {Kilometer} Posts Reset, measured as noted above, will be paid for at the contract unit price bid, which shall be full compensation for the removal and reinstallation of the mile {kilometer} post assembly which includes preparation of the new area, restoration of the area, disposal of any surplus or excess material and for all equipment, tools, labor, and any miscellaneous hardware and materials or incidentals necessary to complete this item of work.

709-A Mile {Kilometer} Post, Type ____ - per each 709-B Mile {Kilometer} Post}, Reset ____ - per each ROADWAY SIGNS 605

ROADWAY SIGNS

710.01Description

This Section shall cover the work of furnishing and erecting roadway signs of the various types, sizes, wording, marking, etc., detailed by the plans in accordance with the latest edition of the MUTCD except as modified herein or by the plan details. The type and number of signs, sign supports, backing frames when required, foundations and reflectorization to be furnished and installed shall be as detailed on the plans. Concrete foundations, when required, shall be constructed as shown on the plans or as directed by the Engineer.

The items of work for Roadway Signs will indicate whether the sign is of a reflectorized or non-reflectorized type, and the kind of backing material. Sheeting used in the fabrication of sign faces shall be one of the following types unless required otherwise on the plans or in the proposal: TYPES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF SIGN SHEETING Type I Medium-intensity retroreflective sheeting, "engineering grade" Type I-N Non-reflective sheeting Type II Medium-high-intensity retroreflective sheeting, "super-engineering grade" Type III High-intensity retroreflective sheeting Type IV High-intensity retroreflective sheeting, "micro prismatic" Type V Super-high-intensity retroreflective sheeting, "micro prismatic" Type VI Elastomeric high-intensity retroreflective sheeting without adhesive, "micro prismatic" Type VII Sheeting previously classified as Type VII has been reclassified as Type VIII. The designation of Type VII has been discontinued. (ASTM D 4956 -09) Type VIII Super-high-intensity retroreflective sheeting (ASTM D 4956 Table 2), "micro prismatic" Type IX Very-high-intensity retroreflective sheeting, "micro prismatic" Type X Sheeting previously classified as Type X has been reclassified as Type VIII. The designation of Type X has been discontinued. (ASTM D 4956 -09) Type XI Super-high intensity unmetallized cube corner micro prismatic retroreflective sheeting. (ASTM D 4956-09, Table 10)

ROADWAY SIGNS 606

CLASSES AND DESCRIPTIONS OF SIGNS Class 1 Obsolete Class 1A Obsolete Class 2 Type IV Reflectorized Sheeting Background with the same Type Reflectorized Sheeting Cut-Out Copy. Type IV Reflectorized Sheeting Background with Digital Printing is also allowable. Class 2A Type IV Reflectorized Sheeting Background with Non -Reflectorized Cut-Out Copy For Multiple Extruded Panels, Type XI Reflectorized Sheeting Background with Digital Printing is also allowable. Class 3 Obsolete Class 4 Type IV Reflectorized Background with Screen Copy. Type IV Reflectorized Sheeting Background with Digital Printing is also allowable Class 5 Obsolete Class 6 Type IV Reflectorized Sheeting Background with Type XI Reflectorized Sheeting Cut-out Copy For Multiple Extruded Panels, Type XI Reflectorized Sheeting Background with Digital Printing is also allowable. Class 7 Obsolete Class 8 Obsolete Class 9 Type XI Reflectorized Sheeting Background with the sameType Reflectorized Sheeting Cut-Out Copy or Digital Printing. Class 10 Type XI with Screen Copy or Digital Printing When the Contractor has the choice of selecting the sheeting Type within a respective Class, the mixing of different sheeting types on signs on the same project will not be allowed unless shown otherwise on the plans or in the proposal.

In addition to the Classes noted above, signs will be designated by the method of fabrication as follows. At the Contractor’s discretion multiple panel signs may be made of multiple flat panels or multiple extruded sections.

A sign face which can be fabricated from a single sheet of material normally not in excess of 4 feet {1200 mm} in width.

A sign face which because of size can not be fabricated from a single sheet of material. These panel sections shall be fabricated from sheets not less than 4 feet {1200 mm} in width, except that only one sheet for any one sign may be cut to less than 4 feet {1200 mm} in width to fabricate signs which are not multiples of 4 feet {1200 mm} in width. Multiple flat panel sign sections shall run from top edge to bottom edge of sign face without horizontal joints, except that signs greater than 11 feet {3.4 m} in height may have a horizontal joint but no sign shall have more than one horizontal joint. The use of material sheets of greater width than the minimum 4 feet {1200 mm} noted to form sign panels will be acceptable; however, the backing, support, etc. must conform to the plan requirements for this classification of panel. All panel joints shall be provided with backing strips firmly affixed to the sign to keep the panel sections in proper alignment as detailed on the plans.

Multiple panel signs may be made of extruded sections. All extruded sections shall be 12 inches {300 mm} wide mounted horizontally and shall have no vertical joints. All panels shall be flat and straight. Multiple extruded panel signs shall be limited to Class 6 and Class 2A signs. Exceptions will be made to allow 6 inch {150 mm} wide extruded sections in cases where the height of a sign ROADWAY SIGNS 607

or exit panel dictates. There shall not be more than one 6 inch {150 mm} wide panel allowed per individual sign or exit panel.

710.02Materials

All materials furnished for use shall comply with the appropriate requirements of Division 800, Materials, and the requirements noted herein in this Section. Special reference is made to Section 880 for Sign Materials, Section 501 for Concrete, Section 502 for Steel Reinforcement, and Section 508 for Structural Steel. Sampling and inspection of sign materials will be done in accordance with the requirements given in ALDOT-245, "Procedures for Sampling and Inspection of Roadway Signs and Overhead Sign Structures." Design drawings covering details for legend and message layouts for sign panels will be shown on the plans. Any deviation from details shown in the plans or furnished the successful bidder must be approved by the Engineer. Letter series shall meet the requirements of the MUTCD, unless otherwise provided by plan details. Unless otherwise noted by plan details, signs shall meet Standard Highway Sign sign blank standards or shall have rounded corners. For guide signs square corners are allowed, but the border shall be rounded to the radius shown in the plans. In the event the plans do not contain a detailed layout for a specific sign, such as a route marker, the layout shall be as approved by the Engineer. Retroreflective signpost strips shall be selected from List IV-4, MISCELLANEOUS TRAFFIC CONTROL DEVICES in the MSDSAR manual.

710.03Construction Requirements

on the plans. Horizontal edges of sign shall be level and faces of signs shall be vertical.

be required to begin with the erection of signs, on that portion of the project that, as determined by the Engineer, will best serve the traveling public. In most instances sign work will of necessity be performed while the roadway is open to traffic. It is not intended that any section of road be left unmarked or in a hazardous condition; therefore, the Contractor shall plan his operation in such a manner as to accomplish the following, all of which shall be considered an integral part of the work required under this section.

public.

completed.

sign face after daylight hours unless warning markers, etc. are provided to warn the traveling public. In the same manner no holes or other hazardous condition shall be left without proper warning markers or delineation.

prosecuted until its completion.

to begin erection of signs within ten days after receipt of notice from the Engineer, even though the work on the roadway may not be completed and accepted by the State.

from any cause, save an unavoidable natural cause, until the work is complete and accepted by the State. Signs and posts are to be stored under cover and protected from the weather and other damage until they are erected.

the general guidance of the Contractor and any commission or omission shown or implied shall not be the cause for deviating from the intent of the plans and specifications. If any departures from the plans and specifications are deemed necessary by the Contractor, details of such departures and the reasons therefore shall be submitted to the Engineer for approval. The decision of the Engineer shall be final and mandatory. ROADWAY SIGNS 608

The Contractor shall not order posts until the length has been established in the field. If Geometric Controls are not set up, the Engineer shall stake out the location of each sign along the work. The Contractor, however, will be required to check all dimensions and clearances measured from such stakes and shall thereafter become responsible for orientation, elevation, offset and level of all signs erected. If Geometric Controls are set up, the contractor shall stake out the location of each sign along the work. The Contractor shall not order posts until the Engineer has reviewed the sign locations as staked. The Contractor will be required to provide all dimensions and clearances measured from such stakes and shall thereafter become responsible for orientation, elevation, offset and level of all signs erected Where beam posts are required the contractor shall set foundations and verify post lengths before ordering posts. No foundations shall be mounded to compensate for beam posts which are too short.

Positioning of sign faces shall be such as to eliminate or minimize specular (mirror like) reflection and provide maximum readability. Ground mounted signs shall be erected so that the face is truly vertical and at an angle to the roadway centerline as detailed by the plans unless otherwise directed by the Engineer. On curves, sign faces shall be oriented so as to be most effective, both day and night, to avoid specular reflection. Overhead signs shall be erected so that the sign face is at the vertical angle with the roadway indicated by the plans or directed and is in the proper position over designated traffic lanes. All sign panels shall be so mounted that the tops of panels or the messages on shaped panels are truly horizontal. Vertical and horizontal positioning of sign faces shall be as detailed by the plans or directed to provide the clearance and height required by MUTCD or noted on the plans.

The size, number and type of supports shall be shown on the plans. The support shall not extend above the sign panel, but in no case shall the support be less than 3 inches {75 mm} above the uppermost stringer mounting bolt. Cutting steel supports to length after they have been galvanized will be permitted provided the cutting is limited to sawing and the damaged area is re-galvanized as shown on the plans or directed.

Posts shall be installed as indicated by plans. The length of the posts or supports shall be determined as noted in this Section. Installation shall be accomplished in such a manner that the entire post is installed as one unit, unless shown otherwise by the plans, to ensure proper alignment, etc. of the post. All posts shall be checked with a spirit level for vertical alignment. Posts with breakaway features may be adjusted slightly by the use of special shims as indicated by plan details; major adjustments shall require removal and resetting. When breakaway features are incorporated into post assemblies, the requirements noted in this Item shall be complied with to ensure their functioning properly under field conditions. Tubular posts, after installation, shall be provided with a proper cap. Caps may not be required for perforated tubular posts.

When foundations require the use of concrete encasements, the posts shall be installed in pre-dug holes and backfilled with Class A concrete. Reinforcement, if required, shall be as detailed on the plans. When plans and soil conditions permit the installation of posts by driving, a method of driving will be required that will not damage the posts. Any damage in driving shall be cause for rejecting the post and requiring it to be replaced. In lieu of driving, the Contractor may elect to install the posts by pre-dug holes and backfilling with sand. The sand backfill shall be thoroughly flooded with water to ensure good compaction. If solid rock is encountered, the posts shall be placed in drilled holes and backfilled with concrete to the top of the rock as shown on the plans or directed and the remainder backfilled as noted above. ROADWAY SIGNS 609

Unless otherwise noted in the detailed plans, all bolts, nuts and washers used in the breakaway features shall be High Strength galvanized complying with the requirements of Article 836.33. The functioning of the breakaway design is dependent upon the proper installation of these bolts so that the residual tension specified by the plans is obtained. To accomplish this, the following requirements shall apply:  All bolts, nuts and washers of each diameter bolt required in the work shall be from the same manufacturer. Bolts used in each type connection (hinge, fuse or base) shall be so sized that all bolts for a particular type connection in a support structure are of the same length. Said length shall be the minimum plan specified length plus any additional length necessary to provide at least two exposed threads on the bolt after the connection has been properly tightened.  The torque necessary to obtain the residual bolt tension required by the plans shall be determined by a "bolt-tension calibrator." The Department will provide the "bolt-tension calibrator" for calibration of the Contractor's torque wrench for the various sizes of bolts.  The Contractor shall supply five sets of bolts, nuts and washers of each diameter to be used in the work for determination of the bolt torque necessary to obtain the residual bolt tension specified by the plans.

All posts and sign panels shall be in place prior to setting of the bolt tension for the base connections and the post fuse and hinge plates. After completion of the sign panel installation, all bolts, nuts and washers used in the hinge plates, fuse plates and base connections during the shipping and installation of the support assembly shall be removed and replaced with approved High Strength bolts, nuts and washers. Prior to use of the H.S. bolts, etc. they shall be checked to ensure they are free turning and are lubricated with a bee's wax based lubricant approved by the Engineer (some commercial wax products have proven satisfactory). Installation of the bolts, etc., may then proceed using the appropriate calibrated torque wrenches for the size bolt being installed. All lubricating and torquing of the H.S. bolts and nuts shall be performed in the presence of an inspector. Any bolt not installed in the presence of an inspector shall be removed and examined to ensure the nut is free turning for the full thread length (any binding shall be cause for rejection), lubricated and re-installed as noted. Setting of bolt tension may be achieved without the use of a torque wrench if special hardware is provided by the manufacturer of the approved breakaway device. The bolt hardware must be designed with an integral means for tightening the bolts to the required tension.

Framework for erecting sign panels shall be assembled and attached to the ground supports as provided on the approved drawings. All horizontal members of supporting frames shall be truly horizontal and at correct height so that the bottom of the sign shall be at the height above pavement specified and proper horizontal position. Erection of sign panels shall be done in a neat and workmanlike manner. Sign panels shall be attached to the supporting frames in accordance with the recommendations of the sign panel manufacturer. All nuts, bolts, screws and set screws shall be tightened securely. Signs shall be inspected at night by the Engineer, and if specular (mirror-like) reflection is apparent on any signs, its positioning shall be adjusted by the Contractor. When sign panels are noted to be re-installed on another support assembly, removal of the old panel from its supports shall be done in such a manner as to prevent damage to the panels; remounting shall be accomplished in the same manner noted for new panels. The use of dismantled hardware in remounting of the old panels is allowed; however, if the old hardware is unusable, the Contractor shall provide the appropriate new hardware necessary to install the panel.

The Contractor shall dismantle and remove all existing signs designated to be removed; however, when they are to be replaced with another sign, the new sign shall be in place before the old sign is removed unless otherwise ordered by the Engineer. Unless noted otherwise on the plans, the Contractor will be allowed to keep all sign panels that are designated for removal. ROADWAY SIGNS 610

All materials to be retained by the State (panels, supports and hardware) shall be removed in such a manner as to prevent undue damage and the materials stacked and stored at a site on the project designated by the Engineer, for later pickup by others. Care shall be taken during removal, handling and storage to protect the treated surfaces; especially sign faces; hardware shall be bagged or boxed; posts, especially those with breakaway features, shall be removed so that the bases are kept intact insofar as practical. Any damage to or loss of removed materials due to negligence on the part of the Contractor's removal methods shall be cause for ordering replacement in kind for the damaged or lost items. Any posts or mounting supports to be removed shall either be pulled or removed or, at the discretion of the Contractor, cut off and removed to a depth of not less than 1 foot {0.5 m} below the actual ground surface and the area backfilled with suitable material. The area shall be cleaned and dressed out in a manner consistent with the surrounding area.

The Contractor shall be required to remove all rejected and unused materials and debris from the right of way. The contractor shall restore shoulders and slope, including grass, to the original condition. Excess excavation will be disposed of off the right of way at the Contractor's expense, unless otherwise authorized by the Engineer, and other cleaning up as may be necessary to ensure the effectiveness and neat appearance of the work.

Attention is directed to the fact that sign panels as well as supports must be approved before installation will be permitted. In addition to normal inspections attention will be directed to inspection of the unit after installation to ensure that any damage caused by the installation operation or any defect which will affect the serviceability is promptly corrected. Attention is directed to the special inspection requirements noted in Subitem 710.03(d)2c when setting base plate, hinge plate and fuse plate bolt tensions.

Retroreflective Signpost Strips shall be installed according to the manufacturer’s recommendations. In addition, the strip should be at least 2 inches in width, it shall be placed for the full length of the support from the sign to within 2 feet above the near edge of the roadway, and its color shall match the background color of the sign, except that the color of the strip for the YIELD and DO NOT ENTER signs shall be red. The retroreflective strip shall not display any legend or other information.

710.04Method of Measurement

Completed and accepted Sign Face Panels will be measured in square feet {square meters} between the outside edges of the signs (includes frame and border). Installed and accepted posts will be measured in feet {meters} which will be the entire length of the installed post from tip to tip and includes any breakaway feature. Retroreflective Signpost Strips shall be measured per each. Unless a pay item is provided in the plans or proposal for the removal of Existing Roadway Signs, the removal, etc. of such signs will be considered incidental to the work and no measurement for pay purposes will be made. However, when the removal of existing signs is designated for pay purposes, measurement will be made on a lump sum basis for all signs designated to be removed.

710.05Basis of Payment

Sign Panels measured as noted above will be paid for at the contract unit price bid per square foot {square meter} which shall be full compensation for the sign face complete in place on its support assembly and includes all costs necessary for obtaining the material, processing, all copy, symbols, legend and the like, and for all hardware necessary to furnish and install the sign on its supports in accordance with plan details and for all equipment, tools, labor and incidentals necessary to complete the work. Posts measured as noted above will be paid for at the contract unit price per linear foot {meter} which shall be full compensation for the particular size post involved completely installed in its proper position. Said unit price bid shall include all costs necessary to obtain materials, fabrication, processing, excavation, erecting, backfilling, backfill material, concrete, steel, clearing, all hardware, and