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.Category 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
D.Temporary traffic control devices are the contractor’s property unless otherwise indicated in the
contract.
1.All TTC devices must be clearly marked with the owner’s name and contact information.
E.Provide ATSSA traffic control supervisor in accordance with the contract.
F.When portable signs, devices, or trailers are no longer in use, remove or place them behind
positive protection. 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 TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CONTROL – GENERAL
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. 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 Standard Construction Details. Use TRM to accomplish this work unless the contract specifies an alternate method.
B.Place TRM in accordance with the applicable sections of this specification.
When temporary elimination of a drop-off hazard is not possible, follow the requirements of the Standard Construction Details. 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 TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CONTROL – GENERAL
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.
b.Show details of the plating design, the method of fastening the plates, plate thickness, span,
bearing, and the method of preventing plate movement.
d.The Department will not allow use of steel plates between November 1 and March 31,
without the engineer’s approval. 801.3.4 Temporary Pavement Markings.
A.Apply temporary pavement markings at the end of each day’s operation to all locations that
require permanent pavement markings before returning traffic to unrestricted roadway use.
B.Match temporary pavement markings to the permanent pavement markings shown in the
contract or as directed by the engineer.
1.Maintain retroreflectivity levels in accordance with the applicable temporary pavement marking
Section.
2.Refresh temporary pavement markings as required or as directed by the engineer.
3.Apply temporary pavement markings in accordance with the applicable temporary pavement
marking Section, the DE MUTCD, and DelDOT’s Temporary Pavement Markings Policy of the DE MUTCD, when the contract does not provide a layout for temporary markings.
C.Remove conflicting pavement markings as directed by the engineer in accordance with Section
868. The Department will not allow painting over the conflicting pavement markings unless specifically allowed by the contract.
D.When the contract does not provide existing pavement marking information, before beginning
construction, submit detailed drawings showing the existing elements for each project location. Include lane and shoulder widths, turn lane lengths, locations of stop bars, turn arrows, crosswalks, and railroad crossings in the drawings.
E.The engineer may require changes to the final pavement markings.
801.3.5 Travel Lane and Road Closure Restrictions.
A.The Department will not allow travel lane, turn lane, ramp, or road closures on interstates,
freeways, expressways, or principal arterials during the following holidays, unless otherwise noted in the contract:
1.Christmas Day
2.New Year’s Day
3.Memorial Day
4.Independence Day
5.Labor Day
Thanksgiving Day
7.Special Events
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CONTROL – GENERAL
B.Keep lanes open for a period of time that depends on the day of the week that the legal or
observed holiday falls. The following schedule determines the periods of time the lanes must remain open, unless otherwise allowed by the contract: Table 801.3-1. Holiday Lane Closure Restrictions by Day of the Week Day of Holiday or Event Time All Lanes Must be Open to Traffic Sunday 12:00 PM Friday through 5:59 AM Monday Monday 12:00 PM Friday through 11:59 PM Monday Tuesday 12:00 PM Monday through 11:59 PM Tuesday Wednesday 12:00 PM Tuesday through 11:59 PM Wednesday Thursday 12:00 PM Wednesday through 11:59 PM Thursday Thursday (Thanksgiving) 6:00 AM Wednesday through 11:59 PM Sunday Friday 12:00 PM Thursday through 5:59 AM Monday Saturday 12:00 PM Friday through 5:59 AM Monday
C.Do not close travel lanes, ramps, or roads within 1-mile of a designated polling place during the
primary and general elections that fall during an even numbered year.
D.Follow all additional restrictions that may apply as noted in the contract or as directed by the
engineer. 801.3.6 Non-Compliance.
A.The Department will consider failure to comply with the requirements of this section as
justification for suspension of work in accordance with Section 104.2.D. The Department will continue assessing time charges until the contractor corrects the deficiencies.
B.Non-compliance includes:
1.Failure to correct deficiencies within 24-hours of written deficiency notices related to temporary
traffic control.
2.Non-compliance with the DE MUTCD or the contract.
3.Unsafe operations.
4.Placement of non-compliant temporary traffic control devices.
801.4Method of Measurement.
The Department will not measure this item.
801.5Basis of Payment.
A.The Department will pay for temporary traffic control at the lump sum contract price. Price and
payment will constitute full compensation for:
1.Maintenance of traffic activities accepted by the engineer;
2.submitting TTCPs;
3.submitting certifications;
TEMPORARY TRAFFIC CONTROL – GENERAL
4.use of traffic cones;
5.correcting edge drop-offs; and
6.a certified ATSSA traffic control supervisor.
B.The Department will consider the cost to move temporary traffic control devices in accordance
with the TTCPs or as necessary to address safety issues as included in this item.
C.If the contractor does not complete the contract work within the allowable contract time,
including approved time extensions, the Department will hold the contractor responsible for providing and maintaining the necessary temporary traffic control devices required to complete remaining work. The Department will not pay for providing or maintaining traffic control beyond expiration of the contract time.
D.The Department will consider the cost of providing and placing steel plates as incidental to the
construction item.
E.The Department will consider personnel utilized to facilitate ingress and egress of the work zone
as incidental to Section 801 and make no additional payments.
F.The Department will pay for:
1.Placement of temporary pavement markings with other items on the Contract.
2.Placement of temporary warning signs in accordance with Section 810. 3.Providing and placing TRM in accordance with Section 403. ITEM DESCRIPTION UNIT 801000 MAINTENANCE OF TRAFFIC LS
Referenced in this section
Sections that cite this one
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Source: Delaware Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, 2026 Edition. Pages 431–0 of 786.
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