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    Design-Build Traffic Control Plan (DBTCP)​

    Design-Build Traffic Control Plans is an innovation that improves project delivery by exploring ways to provide greater contractor flexibility in constructing the project. This innovation expanded the use of the DBTCP contracting provision within Pennsylvania and established procedures for its use on minor, moderate, and complex projects.

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    How Does It Work?

    Current policy and procedures allow the low-bid contractor to finalize the traffic control plan based on the construction phasing and schedule. The final traffic control plan is reviewed by PennDOT district and central offices and Federal Highway Administration representatives. In contrast to traditional Design-Bid-Build (DBB) projects, this project delivery innovation allows the contractor and designer to work together to develop traffic control plans that are more responsive to flexible construction phasing and schedules.

    What Are The Benefits?

    DBTCP offers greater flexibility, improved efficiency, and better schedule control during the design and build phases of a project. It allows the contractor and design consultant to work closely on the final design of the traffic control plan and for flexibility in selecting materials, construction methods, and available resources. The revised process also reduces the need for change orders because the construction team is responsible for the completeness and quality of the final traffic control plan. The construction team can explore cost savings, respond to schedule changes, and receive input from other members involved in the construction of the project.  

    Innovation in Motion

    The DBTCP saw success on the Interstate 70 improvement project in PennDOT District 12. The new process allowed the general contractor to better use its experience and innovation to deliver a more efficient traffic control plan that saved time and money. 

    Cars driving through a construction zone on a highway.

    The I-70 project involved improving the interstate in Westmoreland County from east of Interchange 49 at Smithton Borough to east of Interchange 51 in South Huntingdon Township. The work included rebuilding Interchange 51, replacing a bridge over Route 31, adding a 10-foot median and 12-foot shoulders and improving the sight distance for two horizontal curves. Additional improvements were also made to Routes 31 and 3061 and Smithton Pike. 

    Lessons learned, including providing conceptual cross sections at critical locations, such as grade separations, to contractors and releasing the unofficial plans as early as possible, were applied to a subsequent I-70 project in the district.