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What is a work zone?
A work zone is a designated area on a street or highway where construction is taking place.
How do you recognize work zones?
Distinctive orange and black "BEGIN WORK ZONE" signs will alert motorists. These orange and black signs are reserved strictly for work zones. Throughout the work zone, orange and blue "Work Zone - STAY ALERT" signs will be displayed.
How should you react in a work zone?
Stay alert and be aware of your surroundings. Construction activity very close to the road involving workers and equipment can be very distracting. Be prepared to take action quickly. Expect the unexpected. If you are merging into another lane, try not to wait until the last minute. If a flagger stops you, be patient and realize the inconvenience is temporary. Allow ample space between your vehicle and the car in front of you. Avoid passing in the work zone. Be patient. Turn on your headlights.
Why is speeding dangerous in a work zone?
Speed is the number one contributing factor in work zone crashes. The speed limit is often lowered because of potentially hazardous conditions in the work zone. The posted speed limit will let you know what speed you should drive.
What is the penalty for speeding in a work zone?
Speeding in designated work zones in North Carolina can result in a significant penalty plus court costs.
Why should you slow down when you don't see anyone working?
Physical hazards - such as traffic shifts or lane reductions - may be present. Obey the posted speed limit.
What if you cause a fatal or serious injury in a work zone?
In North Carolina, if you injure someone in a crash (including crashes in work zones), you are responsible for a person's injuries and any traffic violations that are issued as a result of your involvement in the crash. If there is a fatality as a result of the crash (including crashes in work zones), you could be charged with vehicular manslaughter. The District Attorney reviews each case based on the circumstances and makes the decisions whether to bring charges against the driver.
Why do they cut holes into the road after it is just paved?
Actually, they are removing an asphalt core. With this core, a lab technician can determine the percent compaction of the asphalt pavement. If the minimum compaction percentage has not been met, the Contractor can be penalized or may be required to remove and replace the defective asphalt mix with an asphalt mix that meets the compaction specifications. Also, utility companies sometimes cut into the roadway to make repairs and/or service connections to utility lines that are located under the roadway. These utilities are typically water and/or sewer lines.
Are there any alternate ways to check for asphalt compaction that do not cut holes (asphalt cores) into the roadway?
A Nuclear Density Gauge is frequently used to check for asphalt compaction. This device allows the operator to check the compaction of the asphalt without cutting the pavement. However, in order to use the nuclear density gage, a test strip of asphalt must be constructed. Within this test strip, asphalt cores are taken in order to calibrate the nuclear density gage. Once this is accomplished, asphalt cores are not necessary again at this particular location.
Why do they roll the road with a rubber tire roller?
The rubber tire roller, which is also referred to as a pneumatic roller, provides some compaction. It also provides a kneading action that seals the surface of the mat. This helps prevent moisture from getting into the pavement.
How hot is asphalt pavement when it is placed?
The suggested temperature is usually around 300 degrees Fahrenheit.
Why is tar sprayed on the road before it is paved?
The substance sprayed on the old pavement is a liquid asphalt called tack. It is a mixture of asphalt & water or asphalt & solvent. It is heated so it can be sprayed. Its main purpose is to bond the old pavement with the new pavement.
What happens to the pavement that gets milled up?
This varies by the project, but most of the time it gets recycled and reused again in a RAP(Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement) asphalt pavement mix.
How long does it take to build a highway?
It takes several years from the time planning begins to the time road construction starts. Here are the steps involved in the highway construction process:
- Congestion and need are evaluated by NCDOT.
- Traffic studies and other planning is conducted.
- Alternate route studies are collected.
- Preliminary relocation studies are collected and evaluated.
- An environmental impact study is prepared.
- Preliminary engineering is accomplished and public hearings are held.
- Location of the corridor is approved.
- Design and detailed plans are prepared.
- Right of Way personnel contacts property owners.
- Real estate market studies, evaluations, appraisals and detailed relocation studies are conducted.
- Comprehensive appraisal and evaluation review by Right of Way representatives is conducted.
- Negotiations begin. Needed property is acquired by agreed settlement with the owner. Relocation assistance is provided when applicable.
- Payment is made to the property owner and the title is transferred.
- Condemnation of property is instituted, if necessary.
- Appeals are made, if necessary, with regard to real property tax reimbursement.
- Appeals are made, if necessary, with regard to relocation benefits.
- The highway project is advertised to contractors to submit their bids.
- The bids are reviewed by department members and contracts are awarded by the North Carolina Board of Transportation.
- The highway is built. This consists of some or all of the following (as appropriate to the particular project): utility relocations; installation of underground storm drainage systems; installation of utilities; construction of drainage structures; grading; curb and gutter; sidewalk; paving; construction of detours; construction of culverts and bridges; signal installation; signing; seeding; installation of pavement markings and pavement markers; etc.
- The highway is opened for public use.
Does the department use recycled materials in highway construction?
NCDOT uses various recycled materials in its construction operations. These include more than seven million scrap tires used as embankment fill material; 49,000 tons of recycled glass used as beads in pavement markings to make them easier to see at night; 14,000 tons of post-industrial asphalt shingles incorporated in the asphalt pavement; and recycled plastics used in traffic cones and barrels, drainage pipe, right of way fencing post and traffic separators.
Why are the grass shoulders of the road torn up when they re-pave a road?
The new asphalt leaves a drop off of 2 inches or more, and the grass shoulders are repaired to eliminate the drop off, making travel safe for the traveling public.
Do State Employees or Private Contractors actually build the work zone projects?
In most cases, Private Contractors perform the work you see taking place in a work zone. There are cases when Department forces are utilized to do projects, but these are usually small in nature.
Why can't I have a crossover for my subdivision?
The location of median crossovers on divided highways are determined by such criteria as distance between crossovers, median width, sight distance, etc. Please contract your local District Office for more information.
District Office: Bladen, Columbus
District Office: Cumberland, Harnett
District Office: Robeson
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NC DOT
NC DOH
NC GOV
DIVISION 6 ORGANIZATION