FULL FREEWAY CLOSURES

RECENT SUCCESS STORIES IN KENTUCKY

WHY CHOOSE FULL CLOSURE OF TWO MAJOR

INTERSTATES?

THE ANSWER

ADVANTAGES OF FULL CLOSURES

• Impact on customers (travelers) is for a much shorter duration than traditional part width-construction.

• Use of detour is a safer driving environment than being stuck in traffic in traditional part width construction.

• Safer working environment for the contractors.

• Receive a higher quality end product.

DISADVANTAGES OF FULL CLOSURES

• Limited locations it can be used.

• More coordination and planning needed up front.

• More expensive?

KENTUCKY’S FIRST EXPERIENCE WITH FULL

CLOSURES

I-65 in Louisville, Kentucky

A 90 Day Project in 107 Hours

2000

TRADITIONAL TRAFFIC CONTROL VS. FULL CLOSURE

• Using Traditional methods, work would have taken approximately 90 working days as opposed to two weekends for the full closure.

• Using traditional methods, estimates showed severe traffic congestion throughout the day (6am-6pm) .

• Using a full closure has larger impact on the traveling public, but for a much shorter duration. This holds with the Cabinet’s philosophy of, “Get In, Get Out, & Stay Out.”

• Using a full closure gave the Cabinet the opportunity to complete supplemental needed repairs in the work zone.

FACTS ABOUT THE I-65 PROJECT

• ADT of 130,000 vehicles (approximately 50% commercial truck traffic)

• Work zone six miles in length

• Replaced bridge expansion joints (17NB & 27SB)

• Resealed bridge expansion joints (2NB & 6SB)

• Patched bridge decks (5 Bridge NB & 5 Bridges SB)

I-65 DETOUR

The total detour length was 20 miles; however, the detour was only 7 additional miles longer than the original route.

• Twelve side streets were partially or completely closed during the two weekends.

KENTUCKY’S SECOND EXPERIENCE WITH FULL

CLOSURES

I-64 in Louisville, Kentucky

An Eight Month Project in 8 Weekends

2001

TRADITIONAL TRAFFIC CONTROL VS. FULL CLOSURE

• Using Traditional methods, work would have taken approximately eight months as opposed to 8 weekends for the full closure (the Cabinet estimated 15 weekends).

• Using traditional methods, traffic modeling showed severe traffic congestion throughout the day with possible backups of 15 miles .

• Using a full closure has larger impact on the traveling public, but for a much shorter duration. This holds with the Cabinet’s philosophy of, “Get In, Get Out, & Stay Out.”

• Full closure allows the Cabinet the opportunity to complete supplemental needed repairs in the work zone.

FACTS ABOUT THE I-64 PROJECT

• ADT of 100,000 vehicles• Work zone 3.3 miles in length• 135,000 tons of asphalt placed (paved approximately 13 lane miles) • Poured 428 CU.YDS. Of concrete overlays on bridges and in the tunnels• New barrier walls placed on the bridges & inside the tunnels• 10 acres of sod placed in the median• 40,000 tons of stone used on shoulders and for road repairs • 30,000 feet of guardrail installed/replaced (1/3 rustic guardrail)• Installed video cameras, vehicle detectors, & variable message signs • New lighting system placed in the tunnels• 90 new street lights installed

STEPS TO INSURE SUCCESS• Public Awareness/Public Information Campaign

• Partnering with the media

• Newspaper & Radio Advertising

• Personal visits to businesses & residents along work zone

• Use of ITS systems (TRIMARC)

• Sent flyers to trucking industry

• Placed information on CB radio

• Cabinet setup a local phone number to give information

STEPS TO INSURE SUCCESS (CONT’D)

• A Sound Traffic Control Plan

• Advance signage/Intensive signage

• Comprehensive Traffic Control Plan

• Involvement of local and state police

• Used helicopters to monitor traffic flow

RESULTS

• No major backups

• No traffic accidents

• Public’s needs better served

• More respect for the Cabinet from the community

• Safer, more efficient work zone environment

LESSONS LEARNED

• Full closure is a viable traffic control alternative.

• Public awareness is vital to the success of full closures.

• Public prefers full closures as compared to traditional traffic control methods.