Navigating the complexities of road construction and transportation projects requires a solid understanding of the roadway permitting process. In this blog post, we will guide you through the essential information you need to know about permitting your construction activities within a road right of way.
Roadway Encroachment Permitting Process:
The first step is to determine the ownership of the road in question. This could be the Department of Transportation (DOT), the county, or the municipality. Once you’ve established the ownership, you need to survey the crossing location and identify any utilities within the road right of way. During the surveying process, it is essential that the road right of way be established. This will allow you to determine where your impacts are taking place.
Once surveying is completed, you’ll need to develop drawings that include cross sections according to the standards set by the relevant agencies. You’ll also need to develop a traffic control plan, which may need to be specific to your construction activities. The standards for both the drawings and traffic control plan may vary greatly depending on the agency overseeing the road. Once your documents are ready, you can submit them either via mail or through an online portal.
After submitting your documents, you will go through a review process with the respective agency. In some instances, this process can be time consuming with a lot of back-and-forth interaction with the agency. In other cases, an approval is received rather quickly. This approval will be communicated to you through mail or email, confirming that you can proceed with your project.
Roadway/Heavy Haul Analysis & Bonding Process:
To ensure the safe and efficient delivery of loads and equipment to the project area, a roadway/heavy haul analysis is necessary. This analysis begins with a desktop review to determine the roadways best suited for the project. Factors such as pavement quality, turn radius, and low hanging wires are taken into consideration.
Following the desktop review, a field assessment is conducted to verify the suitability of the selected roadways. During this assessment, the responsible governing body for each roadway is identified. Meetings with the governing body may be necessary, or online tools can be used to determine roadway weight limits and bonding requirements.
During this process, you will need to assist the operator with creating or obtaining necessary agreements with the governing body. This involves working closely with them to meet their specific requirements. Additionally, heavy haul permits and bonds will need to be obtained from a broker. Video recording the roadways prior to construction or roadway use is also important for documentation purposes.
To ensure compliance, a Heavy Haul Mapping is created, and all acquired permits are compiled in a binder. This binder is provided to the operator before the start of the project. Throughout the construction phase, interaction with the governing body may be necessary. Finally, a thorough review of the roadways is conducted upon completion of construction, and all permits and bonds are closed with assistance from the operator.
Key Takeaways for Engineering and Land Services Groups:
Mastering the permitting process for roads is vital for any construction or transportation project across the U.S. By following these steps and working closely with the relevant authorities, you can ensure a smooth permitting process, adhere to regulations, and ultimately deliver your project successfully.
Learn more about Keystone’s services and contact us today if you have any questions about road permitting.
