Design Exceptions Presented by David Joe Polly PE, PLS, WRE Senior Standards Engineer Roadway Engineering Unit

Project Goals As Safe As Practical On Time On Budget Correct the Problem

Items to Keep in Mind for Design Exceptions Justification Process for a Good Decision Start Discussion ASAP with ODOT –Difficult Design Exceptions Design Speed/ADA Requirements/Bridge Rail Allow Sufficient Time for Review NHS Design Exceptions Must also be Approved by FHWA Design Exception Process is Outlined in Chapter 13 of the HDM

Know the Standards Type of Project We have different standards based on type of project Location of Project STA, UBA, Urban, and Rural effect the standards Functional Classification Interstate Freeway and Rural Collector are different

Difficult Exceptions Design Speed

Difficult Exceptions ADA Requirements

Difficult Exceptions Bridge Rail

Difficult Exceptions Vertical Clearance

Construction staging can be an issue

Real Life Examples: Case 1 Specifically it is requested that the following design features not be further evaluated: horizontal alignment, vertical alignment, grades, lane width, shoulder width, bridge width and the correction of deficient bridge rails and missing ADA sidewalk features, roadway cross slopes, cut/fill/ditch slopes, access, and clear zone.

The Request: Case 2

Reviewer’s Comments: Case 2

The Request: Case 3

Reviewer’s Comments: Case 3

The Request: Case 4

Items to Remember Look at accident data Number and type of exceptions Cost by itself is not a good justification Look for ways to Mitigate –Striping –Signing –Illumination

Items to Remember Identify Design Exceptions ASAP Work with design exception review team in Salem –Christopher Henson Rural Roadway Engineer –Rich Crossler-Laird Urban Roadway Engineer –Kent Belleque Interchange Engineer –Dan MacDonald Roadside Safety Engineer –Dave Polly Standards Engineer Allow Proper Time for Processing