Signals and Lighting

  1. Be familiar with 2545, 2565, and 3800-3850 sections of the Standard Specifications for Construction.
  2. Read Division S, SL, and SS Special Provisions and Plans that apply to the project.
  3. Upon award of the contract:  Within 15 days the contractor shall furnish to the Engineer a list of materials to be furnished for the project as outlined in Standard Specification 2565 and reviewed by E.S.S.
  4. The Contractor must contact the Electrical Services Section (ESS) 30 days in advance of needed equipment on the project to verify that the State furnished materials will be available.  Contractor must have the Traffic Engineering Request for Materials or Service “TE” number when requesting these materials.
  5. Check all materials delivered to the project for compliance to Specifications in accordance with the Schedule of Materials Control.
  6. Check the work area for existing damage including curb and gutter, pavement, pavement markings, drainage structures, sidewalks, turf, shrubs, and trees before the Contractor begins work.
  7. Gopher State One Call (GSOC) requires the Contractor performing the excavation on the project to contact (call or click) to request a locate ticket at least 48 hours in advance of planned excavation.  The Contractor should always check markings and GSOC Positive Response ticket status before beginning excavation.
  8. Components for signal and lighting systems are staked by the District Traffic Office.  If a conflict should arise with existing utilities above or below ground, such as power lines and drainage structures, or excavation has encountered rock, the staked location may be moved with consent from the District Traffic Office.
  9. Traffic Control for the project is the responsibility of the prime contractor and shall be in place when the contractor is working on or near roadway. Workers shall wear the correct safety equipment in good condition. Refer to the latest edition of FIELD MANUAL.
  10. No excavation shall begin without proper compaction equipment on the work site. Compaction of material shall be in accordance with the Contract Documents. Unprotected holes and trenches shall not be allowed and should be backfilled and compacted as soon as possible.
  11. Details for the construction of each type of concrete foundation and equipment pads are in the Contract Documents (Special Provisions, the Plans, the Standard Plates and Plans, and the Spec. Book).
  12. The tops of all handholes shall be set flush, or ½ inch below, the finished grade and not covered with dirt, sod, concrete, or blacktop.
  13. Verify that the Contractor contacted the MnDOT ADA Office for locating and staking pedestrian pushbuttons and ADA ramps before the ADA component installation Work begins.
  14. Ensure cabinets are transported in an upright position and protected from scratches and dents. Electronic equipment and connectors inside the cabinets must be secured or removed before a cabinet is transported.
  15. Ensure  materials and components are removed and salvaged in accordance with the Contract Documents.
  16. Verify  the correct signs are installed at the correct locations before the signal is activated.
  17. Ensure the Emergency Vehicle Preemption (EVP) is operational when the signal is activated.
  18. Activating and deactivating of the traffic signal shall be done in the presence of the Engineer (or their representative) and the District Traffic Office. The time and date must be recorded in the cabinet logbook and signed.
  19. Permanent pavement markings shall not be installed in adverse temperature or moisture conditions.
  20. All restoration and clean up should be completed and accepted before Contractor leaves the project. The Contractor is responsible for any watering to ensure the turf will be re-established.
  21. The Contractor shall furnish a field corrected (as-built) plan in accordance with Division S Special Provisions to the Inspector before leaving the job and before final payment is made so that a final plan can be complete.  Check Pay Items and Division S and SS Special Provisions for “As Built Drawings and GPS Coordinates” Pay Item 2011.601 (AS BUILT).
  22. Light foundations located in the clear zone, or when specified in the Contract, shall be installed flush with the ground line or sidewalk.
  23. Conduit, including end bells in light foundations shall have a projection of a minimum of ¼ inch to a maximum of 1 inch above the foundation top.
  24. Conduits need to be sealed with duct seal.
  25. Cables terminating in lighting bases shall extend 2 feet above the conduit in the foundations.
  26. Ensure anchor rod tightening for signal and lighting systems follows the MnDOT Anchor Rod Tightening Handbook and the proper Anchor Rod Tightening forms are submitted to the Inspector.
  27. Ensure the lighting system (including luminaires and wiring) is fully operational without interruption by requesting the Contractor to energize the cabinet for 12 hours during daylight prior to final acceptance.
  28. The Contractor shall submit field corrected plan sheets to the Inspector before the lighting system is activated.
  29. For additional information refer to the Signal and Lighting Field Guide .