510 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 1-8

4-8. General Requirements.

Access/Haul Road Requirements

Construct and maintain roads to accommodate equipment safely and get approval from USACE supervisor, KO, or COR before use.
Ensure road safety features like berms, barricades, or curbs are in place to prevent vehicles from overrunning edges.
Design roads with proper drainage, crowning, and ditches, and manage water runoff effectively.

Road Construction and Maintenance

Build roads with adequate width for safe operation and accepted travel speeds, and post maximum speed limits.
Implement traffic control measures on single-lane, two-way roads, and maintain a right-hand traffic pattern on two-way haul roads.
Regularly maintain roads, controlling hazards like dust, ice, ruts, and ensure minimal mud or debris deposition.

Safety Measures

Install adequate lighting and traffic control devices in compliance with DOT Federal Highway Administration's MUTCD and chapter guidelines.
Construct horizontal curves with open sight lines, appropriate vehicle speed limits, and consider factors like roadway width and surfacing.
Equip machines with retarders based on grade and load weight, and design grades to not exceed specific percentages for safety.

4-9. Figures and Tables.

Not Applicable

4-10. Checklists and Forms.

Not Applicable.

Knowledge Check Choose the best answer for the question.

4-5. Roads constructed and maintained to accommodate equipment safely must be approved by _____.

the project CP

the USACE supervisor, KO, or COR

a supervisor or CP

local DOT representatives

You forgot to answer the question!

EM 385-1-1 Paragraph 4-8 (e.).

4-8. General Requirements. (e.)

e.  Access/Haul Roads.  Prior to construction or use of an access/haul road, a written Access/Haul Road Plan must be developed according to paragraph 4-7.  (4-8.e)

(1)  Do not move any equipment or vehicle upon an access or haul road unless the roadway is constructed and maintained to safely accommodate the movement of the equipment or vehicle involved and has been approved by the USACE supervisor or accepted by the KO or COR.

(2)  When road levels are above working levels, construct berms, barricades, or curbs to prevent vehicles overrunning the edge or end of embankment.  The height of the berms and curbs must be at least one-half the diameter of the tires on the largest piece of equipment using the roadway.

(3)  Roadways must have a crown and ditches for drainage. Intercept water runoff before it reaches a switch back or large fill area and drain it away from these areas in a suitable manner (for example, culvert).

(4)  Construct haul roads to widths suitable for safe operation of the equipment at the travel speeds proposed by the contractor and accepted by the KO or COR.

(5)  Post maximum speed limit signs on all roads, including access and haul roads.

(6)  Provide an adequate amount of turn-outs on single lane roads with two-way traffic. When turn-outs are not practical, the contractor must establish a traffic control system to prevent accidents.

(7)  Whenever possible, use a right-hand traffic pattern on two-way haul roads.

(8)  Horizonal Curves.

(a)  All curves must have open sight lines and as great a radius as practical.

(b)  Limit vehicle speed on curves so that vehicles can be stopped within one-half the visible distance of the roadway.

(9)  Grades.

(a)  When necessary, based on grade and machine and load weight, equip machines with retarders to assist in controlling downgrade descent.

(b)  Access and haul roads should be kept to 10 percent grade or less. There should be no more than 400 feet (121.9 m) of continuous grade exceeding 10 percent.

(c)  Grades may not exceed 12 percent.  Steeper grades may be allowed if sufficient evidence is provided to the USACE supervisor/KO or COR that all equipment using the haul road can operate on the designed slope, documented in the Access and Haul Road Plan and accepted by the local Chief of the SOHO.

(10)  Provide adequate lighting (see chapter 7).

(11) Provide traffic control lights, barricades, road markings, signs, and flaggers for the safe movement of traffic according to the DOT Federal Highway Administration's MUTCD and this chapter.

(12) Maintain all roads so that they stay in a safe condition.  Eliminate or control dust, ice, ruts, and similar hazards.

(13) Minimize the deposition of mud and or other debris on roads to the extent possible. Comply with state and local erosion, sediment, and runoff control requirements.

510 EM 385-1-1 Chapters 1 - 8