9F-3: Proposal Mitigations

Two methods to address mobility and safety mitigation within the project proposal are:

• Adjusting the project schedule to limit when contractors can work, and/or
• Using innovative contracting to encourage contractors to complete their work quicker.

When these methods are used, the specific type (or types) of mitigation is included in the project proposal.  The following is a discussion of the specific mitigation types that may be used.

Adjusting the Project Schedule

The most common mobility and safety mitigation is to restrict construction and maintenance operations and related lane and shoulder closures to times of lower traffic volumes, either by restricting hours of the day, day of week, or season of the year.  These restrictions are stated in the project proposal.

Time of Day Restrictions (including Night Work)

Time of day restrictions are only for short term (daylight hours only) and night work where work can be suspended to allow traffic to use of all lanes on a daily basis.

Day of Week Restrictions

For work types that require intermediate or long-term lane and shoulder closures, day of week restrictions are often used if work can be completed and lanes reopened to traffic before traffic volumes increase and cause unnecessary and unacceptable delay and queuing.

Seasonal Restrictions

Occasionally, where traffic volumes are seasonal, the use of seasonal restrictions that allow the use of intermediate or long-term lane closures during lower traffic demand seasons is the preferred mitigation assuming the work can be completed during this low volume season.

Innovative Contracting

Innovative contracting is used to provide incentives and disincentives to contractors to reduce construction time and adverse impacts on traffic mobility and safety.  Use of these contracting techniques is determined by the District Office.  These mitigations are included in the project proposal.

Incentive/Disincentive for Early Completion

Incentives/Disincentives (I/D) for early completion of specific highway construction projects with critical closure activities may be assigned by the Department.

For the number of closure days remaining after completion of the critical closure activity, the Contractor will be paid the I/D daily rate as an incentive payment.  Maximum incentive payment will not exceed that amount shown on the proposal.  For the number of closure days used to complete the work required in a critical closure activity in excess of the specified closure days, the Contractor will be assessed the I/D daily rate.  There will be no maximum amount for the disincentive assessment.

Refer to Section 1111 of the Standard Specifications and Page 18 of the Lettings Guidelines for additional information regarding incentives/disincentives (I/D) for early completion.

Lane Rental with Incentive/Disincentive

Lane rental and time of day restrictions are usually used together to ensure the Contractor does not close lanes when traffic delays and queuing would be unacceptable.  Hourly lane rental typically results in fewer lane closures to accomplish the work by providing an incentive to the contractors to control their work and the work of their subcontractors.  Refer to page 19 of the Lettings Guidelines the and Developmental Specifications for Lane Rental (A + B Bidding with Incentive/Disincentive) for more information regarding lane rental with incentive/disincentive.

No Excuse Road Opening Bonus

The No Excuse Road Opening Bonus is an innovative contracting method to provide the contractor a predetermined lump sum incentive for reopening the roadway to traffic on a specified calendar date.  No Excuse Road Opening Bonus is a 2528 bid item. Refer to page 19 of the Letting Guidelines for more information regarding the no excuse road opening bonus.

Accelerated Schedule

An accelerated work schedule (see Article 1108.02, K of the Standard Specifications) may be used to ensure completion of the project or various stages of the project within the contract period.  With an accelerated work schedule, work is permitted on a 24 hour day basis and on Sundays and holidays, unless restricted by the contract documents.  An accelerated schedule may also be used with a completion bonus.

Chronology of Changes