The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)

Federal Highway Administration

Wisconsin Division

January, 2010

Jason P. Spilak, PE, ARRA Engineer

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Agenda

Introduction Wisconsin statistics Federal Highway’s expectations 2010 areas for improvement Conclusion

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Introduction

Congratulations on 2009 success– Transparency (Reporting)– Delivery was successful

Challenges for 2010– All funds committed by March 2nd

– No ARRA funding changes after September 30th

– Notice to Proceed & Expenditures soon after award

Statistic from 2009

There are 72 counties in Wisconsin and our FHWA ARRA engineer made it to 68 of them.

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2009 Wisconsin statistics

  Wisconsin 2009 ARRA Projects    

     

Region Total Inspections Resurfacing Bridges

NW 25 24 11 14

NC 38 30 20 13

NE 26 26 7 13

SW 32 22 10 19

SE 15 9 4 3

Total  136 111    

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FHWA Expectations

Proper contracting procedures to be followed– Advertising & Awarding– NTP following award & work commencing

All parties to abide by and enforce the contract; both the letter and spirit thereof.

“Not Business as Usual” for ARRA means:– Stop poor practices– Enforce contract provisions

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FHWA Expectations (continued)

The WisDOT is accountable for the local program.

All parties that work on ARRA projects must:follow all requirements prior to meeting local

desires, or risk losing federal funds

Federal reporting requirements must be adhered to without exception.

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Areas for Improvement in 2010

Examples from 2009– Safety– Pavements– Environmental– Bridges– DBE and contract compliance

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Safety

General– Fall protection– Trench safety– Protective clothes– Confined space entry

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Fall Protection

Walkway without railings or tie off system

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Trench Safety

Pipe installation 20+ feet in the ground without trench box

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Personal Protective Devices

No shirt No hardhat No reflective clothes

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Safety (continued)

Work Zone– Eliminate unsafe traffic barriers– Use only safe end terminals– Crash tested systems installed correctly– Beam guard installed same day as removed– Drop off criteria identified and protected

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Safe Barriers

Ensure barrier is in acceptable condition when delivered to the project

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Safe End Terminals

Use in correct situations

Place in safe location

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Ensure Correct Installation

Safety systems do not work if they are not installed correctly

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Unsafe conditions

There needs to be an effort to replace rail systems the same day they are removed, or make necessary accommodations as the specifications dictate.

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Drop Off Conditions

Grade for safety or protect public from hazard.

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Pavements

No paving in the rain. No water curing asphalt. Concrete pavement cured per specification.

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Paving in the rain

Not a good practice.

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Moisture curing asphalt

Also not a good practice, warranty or no warranty.

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Concrete curing

Make sure curing compound application timeframes specified are followed.

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Environmental

Permits need to be on site.

Erosion and Sediment control is important.

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Bridges

Understand and follow “Buy America” provisions for steel and cast iron products.

– Certification for all manufacturing procedures.

Reinforcing steel needs to be laid out and poured per design and plan details.

Do not proceed with “critical” items of work without proper inspection.

Ensure inspectors are “comfortable” to inspect the project they are assigned to.

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Reinforcing Steel

Poor practice. Chair misaligned. Steel not tied correctly.

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DBE & Contract Compliancy

Emergency phone numbers posted. DBE waiver in project files on site. Project Board location is important.

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Emergency Contact Information

This information needs to be current and posted on project where the public can see it during “off-hours”.

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Project Compliancy Board

Location and employee accessibility is important.

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Conclusion

2009 was very successful Most projects went well Some project had “challenges” 2010 can be even better than 2009 Be Safe!