Meeting Minutes > SCDOT/CAGC Joint Cooperative Committee

Attendees:
Bradley Smith, Sloan Construction Co.
Clarke DeHart, C. R. Jackson Inc.
Jason Edmonds, Ashmore Bros. Inc.
Lindy Hallman, US Constructors Inc.
Peter Yeh, SCDOT
Charlie Smoak, SCDOT
Mark Lester, SCDOT
Robbie Isgett, SCDOT
Wilson Elgin, SCDOT
Will McConnell, SCDOT
Chris Lacy, SCDOT
Ed Eargle, SCDOT
Todd Steagall, SCDOT
Rob Bedenbaugh, SCDOT
Sammy Hendrix, CAGC

The meeting was called to order by Mark Lester.

Old Business

None

New Business

Improve the Effectiveness/Efficiency of the Submittal Process

This issue was discussed at the Joint Committee meeting. It concerns the submittal process for small projects that sometimes are completed before the actual submittal processed. Danny Shealy noted this information is used to provide information to the Commission.

Todd Steagall stated this is being discussed on the short time line projects.

CPM Scheduling Requirements for Small Projects

The Road Subcommittee is handling this matter and a special task force committee has been formed to look at improvements in scheduling.

Mark Lester asked for clarification of the issue.

Sammy Hendrix provided that the information is not always correct either due to the contractor not providing or timely input by DOT. We need to determine where the communication gaps are and correct.

Sammy Noted some contractors have received delinquency letters on projects that are essentially complete. These projects are showing up on reports as delinquent that are presented to the commission.

Jason Edmonds added that the required narrative does not seem to be incorporated into the DOT's review of the contractor's progress on a project. Contractors are receiving delinquency letters on projects that are complete or substantially complete based on the CPM update from the previous month. It is our understanding that the narrative was intended to give contractors a way to explain these situations. The narrative is not playing into the process. Jason Edmonds noted that this concern really applies to all DOT projects with CPM scheduling requirements.

Night Work/ADT

Sammy noted the letting schedule is not always clear about night work when contractors are bidding the work. Another concern is the quality of work when done at night.

Clarke DeHart - Some strip maps are clear as to what is expected. Others are not. Sometimes it is the pre-con meeting when contractors find out what day, what time of day (night or day work), holiday or seasonal restrictions, etc. This is information that is needed for the bidding process, not after the fact. It seems to be more of a regional problem on all resurfacing. Interstates are not a problem, but more the US and primary routes that are an issue. And, some busy city streets have to be night work.

SCDOT responded that daytime work does slow traffic. On the larger projects it is in the bid. We are trying to get more information to put in the bid process. The districted need to be sure to provide information on lane restrictions, etc.

Right now is it 800 cars per hour per lane for US and primary routes and 1000 per hour per lane for interstate routes. These numbers came from a Clemson study.

Clarke added that night work is different than day work with weather and other issues. Rain during the early day can delay work for short time, whereas at night it can mean no work at all. It can be a major factor.

Sammy also added that the motoring public can be confused at night with the lights, the drums, etc. It is really not safer to do night work. It may also be more costly for both DOT and the contractors. We do not want to delay the public, but delaying the contractor can be costly. Whether to close lanes is a state rule not federal.

Jason added that he rode through a residential area where night work was being done and there was a lot of noise for the homeowners to deal with. Jason also noted the strip maps in D3/D2 are good about identifying schools, etc. where you have to work around certain times of the day. They are particularly good about listing in the notes if a road has to be paved at night.

Sammy added the Road subcommittee will also look into. This committee is planning and why it is discussed here.

Paving - Season vs. Temperature Limitations

This feeds into scheduling on restrictions on when contractors can work which also effects the temperature limitations. Paving work is based on the temperature.

Sammy talked with Danny Shealy about looking at the eastern part of the state having a longer season for paving work.

Ed Eargle noted there are lab and material issues. We do get warm days after September and sometimes even into December.

Clarke noted an issue is the night temperature and when they begin to drop. Night work cannot be done even it the day temperature is warm enough.

Robbie Isgett added strip maps are being looked at and we need to find a way to get better data on the traffic flow.

Detours/Lane Closures

The question is who, and how, the decision made for detours and/or lane closures.

Mark Lester replied it is made during the initial planning by the project team. The example of I-385 was discussed at length. DOT actually met with the Wal-Mart distribution center and they were receptive. A detour decision is made early in the scoping process.

Asphalt or concrete decisions are made later and was not a factor in the detour decision for I-385.

Pipe on Cross Sections

Ed Eargle provided some history that CAGC had request this be shown and the contractors agreed to pay 50% of the cost. The money has been received and DOT is ready to go. Peter Yeh provided a handout and explanation of how this will look. This program will enhance the information, cut additional cross sections, show beginning and ending station. Every pipe will have an ID. If you can implement now, that is okay to do so.

Constructability Reviews

Sammy asked if these are still beneficial. DOT agrees they are. There is a lot of value and in the future we hope to be able to do more of these and as early in the process as possible before plans are finalized.

The next meeting will be moved to Wednesday, October 21 due to a conflict with DOT on the regular meeting date.

The meeting was adjourned.