determined from the measurements. For example, if the average of the measurements is 65 % of the target retro reflectivity, payment for the striping will be 65 % of the contract unit price. If the average of the 3 retro reflectivity measurements is 50 % of the target retro reflectivity, or less, the sublot shall be removed and replaced without extra compensation. Any portion of the striping that is determined by the Engineer to be noticeably inconsistent with the overall striping and measures less than 50 % of the target retro reflectivity shall be removed and replaced without extra compensation. The Contractor may request that Referee Testing be performed. Referee Testing will be performed by the Contractor with the Department’s device and under the supervision of the Department’s inspector or project manager. The results of any Referee Testing will be the final measurements used for payment, regardless of whether or not the measurements are greater than or less than the original measurements performed by the Department. Warranty requirements for Class W marking materials are included in MSDSAR manual, List V-4.
i.Removing Stripe and Markers. Existing traffic stripe (permanent or temporary), markers and adhesive shall be removed by a method that will not damage or disfigure the appearance of pavement surfaces that will be visible at the completion of construction. Burning the old stripe will not be permitted. Hiding the old stripe by covering it with a striping material that is colored to match the appearance of the pavement surface will only be allowed if approved in writing by the Engineer. Covering the old stripe will only be considered for hiding what may remain of the stripe on rough pavement surfaces like Open Graded Friction Course after other methods of removal have failed to adequately remove the old stripe. The Contractor shall propose the type, color and application rate the striping material for review and approval by the Engineer. There will be no extra compensation given for furnishing and applying striping material to hide an existing stripe. Removal of traffic stripe, existing or temporary, will be paid for as a separate item of work.
j.Placement Location. The Engineer will set the limits of no-passing zones. The Contractor shall provide all other controls required to place the stripe in accordance with the details shown on the plans or as directed by the Engineer. The Contractor shall mark the surfaces prior to the placement of the stripe to insure that the stripe will be installed in the required location. The Contractor may be required to adjust the operation of the striping equipment to cover the width and length of existing stripe.
k.Width and Length Placement Tolerances.
1.Permanent Striping. A tolerance of 1/2 of an inch {13 mm} over or 1/8 of an inch {3 mm} under the required width will be allowed, provided the variation is gradual and does not detract from the general appearance. Segments of broken line may vary up to 1 foot {0.3 m} from the required length. Segments shall have neat edges without mist or drip. Variations from the control guide up to 1 inch {25 mm} will be allowed provided the variation does not increase or decrease at a rate of more than 1/2 of an inch {13 mm} in 20 feet {7.5 m}. Lines that do not meet these tolerances shall be removed and replaced, without additional compensation. Establishment of tolerances does not relieve the Contractor of responsibility to construct as closely as practicable to exact plan dimensions.
2.Temporary Stripe. The width of the temporary stripe shall not exceed4 inches {100 mm}, but shall have a 1/2 inch {13 mm} under tolerance. Traffic marking tape shall have a nominal 4 inch {100 mm} width. The tolerance for the lengths of the temporary broken stripe sections shall be 1 foot {0.3 m} under and 1 foot {0.3 m} over the length specified in Subitem 701.03(e)5.a. Strict compliance to alignment on underlying surfaces will not be required provided a reasonable straight line of markings is obtained. The tolerances for placement on a wearing surface shall be the same as those for permanent striping.
3.Failure to Meet Width and Length Placement Tolerances. Permanent or temporary striping placed on a final wearing surface that does not meet the tolerances specified shall be removed and replaced without compensation. This includes areas where the permanent striping does not match the alignment, spacing, etc. of the temporary stripe, leaving the temporary stripe exposed. Portions, or as much as the entire pavement surface, shall be overlaid with a bituminous plant mix layer in extreme cases of disfigurement of the pavement due to stripe removal. The Engineer will make the final determination of the severity of the disfigurement, the requirement for the extent of the overlay, and the material and placement requirements for the plant mix required for the overlay. The Contractor shall place the overlay without compensation.
l.Protection Of Traffic Stripe. Traffic shall be prevented from crossing traffic stripe that is not dried, cured or taken a set to bear the traffic. The Contractor shall use a sufficient number of flagmen or other protection for the stripe to prevent traffic from damaging the newly applied stripe. Sections of traffic stripe that have been marred or picked up by traffic shall be repaired and the pavement shall be cleaned outside the limits of the stripe. Repair and cleaning shall be done by the Contractor without extra compensation.
m.Protection Of Traffic. The Contractor shall furnish and place without extra compensation all warning and directional signs required to direct, control and protect the traveling public while marking and striping operations are in progress. Temporary barricades and signs of the design shown on the plans or directed by the Engineer shall be placed as shown on the plans at the beginning and end of the section that the Contractor proposes to stripe in one operation. As soon as the striping material has dried or cured sufficiently in any one section to permit traffic to cross the traffic line, the temporary barricades and signs shall be moved ahead to the next section. Barricades and signs shall not be left in place overnight. The striping equipment shall be operated in a manner to cause the least disruption to the normal flow of traffic.
701.04 Method of Measurement.
a.Items 701-A, 701-B, 701-C, 701-E, 701-F, and 701-G. Solid or broken traffic stripe (Items 701-A, and 701-C) will be measured in miles {kilometers} along the centerline of each stripe either by direct measurement and computation to the nearest 0.001 mile {0.001 kilometer} or by odometer to the nearest 0.001 mile {0.001 kilometer}. Solid, broken, or dotted traffic stripe (Items 701-B, 701-E, 701-F and 701-G) will be measured in linear feet {meters} along the centerline of the stripe to the nearest linear foot {meter}. The length of broken traffic stripe and dotted traffic stripe complete in place and accepted will include the gaps shown on the plans as a part of the traffic line design but will not include the length of any other gap or section omitted by the Engineer. Each width of traffic stripe will be measured separately for payment.
b.Items 701-D and 701-H. Any traffic stripe, existing or temporary, removed as directed (Items 701-D and 701-H) will be measured in the same manner noted for placement of the type stripe involved. Removal of markings or legends will be measured and paid for under the appropriate item provided in Section 703.
701.05 Basis of Payment.
a.Unit Price Coverage. The length of Solid or Broken Traffic Stripe, Item 701-A, and the length of Solid or Broken Traffic Stripe, Item 701-G, measured as noted above, will be paid for at the respective contract unit prices and shall be full compensation for the stripe including the cleaning of the pavement, the furnishing and applying of the striping material, and for all equipment, tools, labor and incidentals necessary to complete the item of work. The length of Dotted Traffic Stripe, Item 701-B, measured as noted above, will be paid for at the contract unit price which shall be full compensation for furnishing all materials of the appropriate color consistent with the use of the stripe in accordance with the plan details, the preparation of the pavement, the application of the striping material, and for all equipment, tools, labor and incidentals necessary to complete this item of work. The length of Solid or Broken Temporary Traffic Stripe, Item 701-C, and the length of Solid or Broken Temporary Traffic Stripe, Item 701-E, and Dotted Temporary Traffic Stripe, Item 701-F, measured as noted above, will be paid for at the respective contract unit prices which shall be full compensation for the furnishing of all materials, of the appropriate color consistent with the use of the stripe in accordance with the requirements of the plan details and the MUTCD, the preparation of the SECTION 703 TRAFFIC CONTROL MARKINGS AND LEGENDS surface, the placing of the material, the maintenance of the traffic stripe, and for all equipment, miscellaneous materials, tools, labor and incidentals necessary to complete the item of work. The length of existing or temporary Solid or Broken Traffic Stripe Removed, Item 701-D, and the length of Solid, Broken, or Dotted Traffic Stripe Removed, Item 701-H, measured as provided above, will be paid for at the contract unit price which shall be payment in full for all materials, equipment, tools, and labor necessary to complete the work. When the traffic stripe to be removed consists of pavement markers used as traffic stripes the cost of removing markers, marker adhesive, and existing paint, plastic or tape located between the markers shall also be included in the price.
b.Payment will be made under Item No.: 701-A Solid/Broken Color, Class * Type ** Traffic Stripe - per mile {kilometer} 701-B Dotted Class * Type ** Traffic Stripe - per linear foot {meter} 701-C Solid/Broken Temporary Traffic Stripe (***) - per mile {kilometer} 701-D Solid/Broken Traffic Stripe Removed (***) - per mile {kilometer} 701-E Solid/Broken Temporary Traffic Stripe (***) - per linear foot {meter} 701-F Dotted Temporary Traffic Stripe (***) - per linear foot {meter} 701-G Solid/Broken Color, Class * Type ** Traffic Stripe - per linear foot {meter} 701-H Solid/Broken/Dotted Traffic Stripe Removed (***) - per linear foot {meter} * Specify "1", "1H", "2", "2T", "3", or “W”. ** Specify "A" or "B". *** Specify "Paint", "Plastic", "Tape", etc., only if required. SECTION 703 TRAFFIC CONTROL MARKINGS AND LEGENDS
703.01 Description.
This Section shall cover the work of placing permanent or temporary traffic control markings and legends at the locations shown on the plans or where directed by the Engineer. Preformed thermoplastic markings may be used for permanent striping, and for other circumstances as designated by the Engineer. This Section shall also cover the removal of existing or temporary traffic control markings and legends.
703.02 Materials.
a.General. Materials shall be furnished in accordance with the requirements given in Sections 856 and 857. The required dimensions, color, type of material and reflectivity will be shown on the plans. The required type of material will be designated by "Class" and "Type" in accordance with the requirements given Section 701 Class 1H, Class 2, and Class 2T materials shall be in compliance with the formulations given in the tables in Section 856 for each class. Class 1, Class 3, Class W, Preformed Traffic Markings, and Drop On Glass Beads shall be one of the materials shown on List V-3, Temporary Traffic Marking Materials, and List V-4, Permanent Traffic Marking Materials. These lists are in the Department’s MSDSAR. Information concerning these lists is given in Subarticle 106.01(f) and ALDOT-355. Preformed traffic markings and legends shall also meet the requirements given in Article 856.09. All preformed traffic markings and legends shall meet the dimensions as shown in the plans and shall meet the tolerance requirements given in Item 703.03(c)1.
703.03 Construction Requirements.
a.Acceptance Program for Traffic Marking Materials. The guidelines for the evaluation and acceptance of traffic marking materials are given in the procedure ALDOT-420 "Acceptance Program for Traffic Marking Materials". These guidelines shall be followed in the furnishing and placement of traffic markings and legends.
b.Temporary Traffic Markings and Legends. Temporary traffic control markings and legends shall be furnished and placed in accordance with all of the requirements given in Section 701 for Temporary Traffic Stripe except for the placement tolerances for length and width. The length of the markings and legends shall be no greater than 2 inches {50 mm} over or 1 inch {25 mm} under the required length. The width of the markings and SECTION 703 TRAFFIC CONTROL MARKINGS AND LEGENDS legends shall be no greater than 1/2 of an inch {12 mm} over or 1/2 of an inch {12 mm} under the required width.
c.Permanent Traffic Markings and Legends.
1.Applicator Applied Traffic Markings and Legends. Permanent traffic control markings and legends shall be furnished and placed in accordance with all of the requirements given in Section 701 for permanent traffic stripe except for the following: Any type of equipment may be used that produces acceptable results; Class 2 thermoplastic shall be placed to produce a minimum uniform thickness of 0.125 inches {3.0 mm}. The length of the markings and legends shall be no greater than 2 inches {50 mm} over or 1 inch {25 mm} under the required length. The width of the markings and legends shall be no greater than 1/2 of an inch {12 mm} over or 1/2 of an inch {12 mm} under the required width Beads may be hand placed.
2.Preformed Traffic Markings and Legends.
a.General All preformed traffic markings and legends shall be applied in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations. Preformed thermoplastic may be applied to asphalt and concrete surfaces. Asphalt pavement shall be allowed to cure for a period of 14 calendar days before the application of the thermoplastic. Concrete pavement shall be allowed to cure for a period of 30 calendar days before the application of the thermoplastic. All preformed traffic markings and legends shall be a minimum uniform thickness of 0.125 inches {3.0mm}.
b.Surface Preparation Prior to the Application of Preformed Thermoplastic. Areas to be striped shall be thoroughly cleaned of all dirt, oil and other debris in a way that will not damage the pavement surface. Curing compound on concrete surfaces shall be removed by grinding, wire brushing, sand blasting or other effective means. Striping shall not begin until the Engineer has inspected the pavement surface and has informed the Contractor that striping may begin.
c.Weather Conditions for the Application of Preformed Thermoplastic. Preformed thermoplastic shall not be placed during rain or mist or if the pavement surface is wet. All preformed thermoplastic markings and legends shall be placed per the manufacturer’s recommended directions. The Engineer shall be furnished a copy of these recommendations for installation inspection purposes.
d.Composition of Preformed Thermoplastic. The preformed thermoplastic shall consist of high quality materials, pigments and glass beads or other reflective material uniformly distributed throughout their cross-sectional area, with a reflective layer of spheres or other reflective material embedded in the top surface.
3.Specialty Traffic Markings and Legends. Specialty Traffic Markings and Legends shall be placed where indicated on the plans and in accordance with the Special Drawings or plan details. Specialty Traffic Markings and Legends shall meet all of the requirements given in Subarticle 703.02(a) and Item 703.03(c)2.
d.Retro reflectivity of Traffic Markings and Legends. The white and yellow pavement markings shall attain an initial retroreflectance of not less than 250 mcd/lx·m2. All pedestrian crosswalks, bike lane symbols and messages in a proposed bike lane shall attain initial retro reflectivity of not less than 250 mcd/lx·m2. The Engineer will measure the retro reflectivity of emplaced preform thermoplastic material for each color at 5 random locations throughout the project selected in accordance with the requirements given in ALDOT Procedure 210. If the average of the 5 retro reflectivity measurements is 85 % of the target retro reflectivity, or greater, the stripe will be accepted without a price adjustment for retro reflectivity. If the average of the 5 retro reflectivity measurements is less than 85 % and greater than 50 % of the target retro reflectivity, the stripe will be paid for at a percentage equal to the percentage SECTION 703 TRAFFIC CONTROL MARKINGS AND LEGENDS determined from the measurements. For example, if the average of the measurements is 65 % of the target retro reflectivity, payment for the stripe will be 65 % of the contract unit price. If the average of the 5 retro reflectivity measurements is 50 % of the target retro reflectivity, or less, the stripe shall be removed and replaced without extra compensation. Any portion of the stripe of the stripe that is determined by the Engineer to be noticeably inconsistent with the overall striping and measures less than 50 % of the target retro reflectivity shall be removed and replaced without extra compensation. Retro reflectivity measurements will be made in accordance with the requirements given in ALDOT-422 with the exception of the sampling frequency. Measurements will be made between 7 and 30 calendar days after the completion of the placement of all stripe.
e.Removing Markings or Legends. The removal of traffic markings and legends shall be done in accordance with the requirements given in Section 701.
703.04 Method of Measurement.
The area of Traffic Control Markings or Legends (Items 703-A, 703-B, 703-H, and 703-I) complete in place and accepted will be the sum of the areas shown on the plans for each marking and legend constructed within the required placement tolerance. The Removal of Traffic Control Markings or Legends (Item 703-C) shall be measured in the same manner as prescribed above except that it shall cover only the area from which the markings were actually removed. The area of Temporary Traffic Control Markings or Legends, (Items 703-D and 703-E) complete in place and accepted, will be the sum of the areas shown on the plans for each marking and legend constructed within the required placement tolerance. No measurement for payment will be made for the removal of temporary markings or legends, the removal of such being classified as incidental to the Items of Temporary Traffic Control Markings and Temporary Traffic Control Legends.
703.05 Basis of Payment.
a.Unit Price Coverage. The accepted square feet {square meters} of Traffic Control Markings or Legends, Items 703-A, 703-B, 703-H, and 703-I, measured as provided above, will be paid for at the contract unit price bid which shall be full compensation for the item complete in place and includes the cleaning of the pavement, furnishing and applying the markings or legends, and for all materials, equipment, tools, labor and incidentals necessary to complete the work. The accepted square feet {square meters} of Traffic Control Markings or Legends Removed, Item 703-C, measured as provided above, will be paid for at the contract unit price bid which shall be full compensation for the item complete in place and includes traffic control for removal, all necessary materials, equipment, tools, labor and incidentals necessary to complete the work. The accepted square feet {square meters} of Temporary Traffic Control Markings or Legends, Items 703-D and 703-E, measured as noted above, will be paid for at the contract unit price bid which shall be full compensation for the item complete in place and includes the cleaning of the pavement, furnishing and applying the markings or legends, traffic control for placing, and for all materials, equipment, tools, labor and incidentals necessary to complete the work.
b.Payment will be made under Item No.: 703-A Traffic Control Markings, Class ____ , Type ____ - per square foot {square meter} 703-B Traffic Control Legends, Class ____ , Type ____ - per square foot {square meter} 703-C Removal of Traffic Control Markings or Legends - per square foot {square meter} 703-D Temporary Traffic Control Markings - per square foot {square meter} 703-E Temporary Traffic Control Legends - per square foot {square meter} 703-H Specialty Traffic Control Markings – per square foot {square meter} 703-I Specialty Traffic Control Legends – per square foot {square meter}
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Source: 2026 Standard Specifications for Highway Construction, 2026 Edition. Pages 600–604 of 826. View official source ↗