TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CONTROL – GENERAL
422 DIVISION 800 — TRAFFIC
801.1Description .
This work consists of providing temporary traffic control to maintain vehicular, bicycle, and pedestrian traffic through the project work zone. Temporary traffic control device categories are defined by type, such as :
A.Category I – Devices including traffic cones, plastic traffic drums, portable delineators, and
channelizers.
B.Category II – Devices include barricades and portable sign supports.
C.Category III – Devices include crash cushions, truck mounted attenuators, temporary railing,
temporary barrier, and end treatments for temporary railings and barriers.
801.2Materials.
A.Crashworthy temporary traffic control devices per the DelDOT Temporary Traffic Control
Approved Product List: https://deldot.gov/Business/prodlists/pdfs/APL_TTCDevices.pdf
B.Categor y I through Category III temporary traffic control devices , in accordance with MASH –
Certification of compliance with MASH is required.
1.Category I devices – The manufacturer or contractor may self -certify that the devices meet the
MASH criteria.
2.Category II and III devices – Provide devices selected from the Approved Products List and MASH
eligibility letter, including all applicable attachments required for each type of device.
C.Submit documentation requesting approval of temporary traffic control devices 14-days before
the start of work. Submission requirements and instructions for source information are listed on DelDOT’s website: https://deldot.gov/Business/prodlists/index.shtml . The Department approves temporary traffic control devices based on:
1.Self-Certification
2.Approved products lists
801.3Construction.
A.Place temporary traffic control devices in accordance with the contract and DE MUTCD . Follow the
manufacturer’s installation instructions.
B.Maintain temporary traffic control devices throughout the project duration. Replace damaged
temporary traffic control devices within 24 -hours of notification or when directed by the engineer.
C.Maintain temporary traffic control devices at a minimum in a “marginal” condition in accordance
with the brochure entitled “ Quality Guidelines for Temporary Traffic Control Devices ,” available from the American Traffic Safety Services Association (ATSSA). The engineer may reject a temporary traffic control device that does not meet the “marginal” condition. TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CONTROL – GENERAL
423 D. Temporary traffic control devices are the contractor’s property unless otherwise indicated in the contract.
E.Provide ATSSA traffic control supervisor in accordance with the contract.
801.3.1 General Temporary Traffic Control and Traffic Maintenance.
A.Maintain a work zone that protects the travelling public and persons working on the project. If
necessary, implement additional safety measures not expressly required by the contract to ensure the safety of all persons.
1.The contractor may adjust longitudinal dimensions for maintenance of traffic configurations to
fit field conditions.
C.Inventory existing signs within the contract limits.
1.Maintain existing signs that must remain in place during the project as noted in the contract or
as directed by the engineer.
2.Remove other existing signs and store.
D.Always maintain access within the project limits.
1.Businesses and Residences.
a.Coordinate temporary driveway or entrance closures for tie -in purposes with the engineer and
the property owner in advance of the closures.
2.Regarding bus stops, unless otherwise directed by the contract or the engineer:
a.Maintain an area for the bus vehicle to safely pick -up and drop -off passengers.
b.Provide an accessible path for pedestrians to safely access the bus stop.
3.Regarding bicycles and pedestrians:
a.Maintain existing access.
E.Conduct construction operations in a manner that minimizes delays to traffic.
1.Follow the requirements of the memorandum titled, “Temporary Traffic Control within
Intersections ,” of the DE MUTCD for work within intersections or in close proximity to intersections.
2.Schedule work in the vicinity of traffic signals to minimize the time during which the signal
operates without detection.
3.Set temporary traffic control devices on the work zone side of the pavement marking, if
possible, when closing a lane adjacent to an open lane.
4.Do not close lanes unless a construction activity requiring a lane closure is taking place or will
take place within 1 -hour of closure, except for buffer lanes on high volume or high -speed roadways. Reopen lanes immediately upon completing the work. Shorten the lane closure for moving operations as work progresses, and as traffic conditions warrant, to keep the length of the closure to a minimum. Conduct construction operations in a manner that minimizes disruption to traffic during peak hours and periods of heavy traffic flow. The Department will stop the contractor’s operations if, in the opinion of the engineer, such operations are unnecessarily impeding traffic. TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CONTROL – GENERAL
424 801.3.2 Notifications to the Engineer.
A.Notification to the engineer for road closures and detours.
1.Submit notification no less than 14 calendar days before the start of detours and road closures.
2.Obtain the approval of the chief traffic engineer, or designee, a minimum of 48 hours in advance
of proposed restrictions beyond those specified in the contract.
B.Loop detectors at signalized intersections.
1.Submit a schedule 7 calendar days in advance of the proposed start date of work. Obtain
engineer approval before the start of work.
2.Notify the Transportation Management Center (TMC) 48 -hours in advance of cutting a loop
detector and immediately notify the TMC after reinstalling the loop detector.
C.Written notice to property owners, businesses, and residents.
1.Provide written notice 48 -hours in advance of the start of construction work including the
following:
a.The scope of work, working hours, anticipated start and completion dates, and a summary of
construction activities that might interfere with property access.
b.A schedule and access coordination plan.
c.The contractor’s name, address, and a Department contact phone number.
D.Provide written verification to the engineer that the property owners and residents were notified.
E.Failure to give proper notice may result in suspension of work in accordance with Section 104. 2.D.
F.Before obstructing a fire hydrant, notify the local 911 center and provide the engineer with
written confirmation of the notice. 801.3.3 Pavement Edge Drop -offs and Vertical Differences.
A.At the end of each workday, correct all pavement edge drop -offs and vertical differences, in
accordance with the DE MUTCD .
1.Use TRM to accomplish this work unless the contract specifies an alternate method. Place TRM
in accordance with the applicable sections of this specification.
B.When temporary elimination of a drop -off hazard is not possible, follow the requirements of
Section 6G.20 of the DE MUTCD . Mark and protect the drop -off hazard with temporary barriers, barricades, or warning signs.
C.Use steel plates to cover unprotected open trench areas accessible by vehicular traffic within the
clear zone that will not receive backfill material before the end of the day.
1.Provide and install steel plates in accordance with the Standard Construction Details .
2.Submit steel plate shop drawings prepared and signed by a professional engineer registered in
the State of Delaware when using steel plates larger than those specified in the Standard Construction Details . Obtain approval before starting construction. Ensure that the shop drawings:
a.Show the intended method to brace, sheet, support, or shore the excavation to prevent a
trench failure.
Source: Delaware Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, 2025 Edition. Pages 432–434 of 779.