FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

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HOW DID YOU ADDRESS RISK MANAGEMENT?

Projects over $100 million are considered to be Category III risk. We looked at different threats coming up with around 70+ risks, giving each one a probability multiplier and score for cost and time impact. Scores over 16 are considered high risks and thus given a rationale and strategy to mitigate these risks. Ones to highlight a re cost estimates having a high risk in cost and condemnation of the Mountain Top Cafe having a low risk in cost, but an extremely high risk in time, taking more than 6 months to resolve.

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Further Information can be found in the Risk Management section of this website found under Project Deliverables.

HOW MUCH GRADING ARE YOU PLANNING TO DO ON THE HILL SIDE?

We had to realign the 138 in order to avoid grading sections and have a lot of fill sections and provide max comfort speed and to move the vertical crest away from the horizontal curve and reduce sight distance.

WHAT KIND OF ANALYSIS DID YOU DO FOR DESIGN ALTERNATIVES AND DID YOU LOOK INTO ROUNDABOUT?

We wanted to look into at grade sections as much as possible, we looked into three main design that included a roundabout at grade intersection. However, the cost of it and lack of its ability to provide for the continuous movement because of the larger radiuses that we need to use in order to maintain a design speed of 65 mph, the delay that was associated with it was still not enough to meet the purpose and needs of this project.

DID YOU LOOK FOR IT FOR THE RAMP INTERSECTION?

Yes, the issue with that is that if we did do that it would also cut into the mountains side which will cause significant earthwork.we determined that the cost associated with was not enough benefit for us to do that when we can just provide a two lane facility off and on ramps and then merge them down into one lane which provided a LOS of A for both AM and PM conditions.

WHAT IS THE GREEN-T INTERSECTION?

The green T is a design that was done by a Virginia department of transportation. It is implemented in a number of locations and most of the time not with this amount of traffic. It is mainly for one left turn lane but for this purpose in order to accommodate an at grade intersection  we had to drastically increase the capacity of all of the movements. However, the eastbound traffic does not accommodate the thru movement.

ARE YOU GOING TO MENTION SOME STRUCTURAL ASPECTS OF THIS PROJECT?

Not really, we won’t discuss technical stuff. We will be putting the GAD and APS but we will not discuss them. We might wanna mention, if you need to know more information you can go to our website.

IS THE LOS OF A/A FOR SEASONAL TRAFFIC?

We ran several models for regular 2045 traffic conditions and then anticipated seasonal traffic volumes as well. And for cost benefit we considered seasonal traffic in it.

HOW LONG IS THE WINTER SEASON?

It is long but starts November to about February or march, worst during the weekend. in our benefit analysis we considered 3 days of the week for three months where we have that change with the respective volumes for that year over 20 years period of time.

DO YOU KNOW IF THERE ARE ANY PROPOSED IMPROVEMENTS TO STATE ROUTE 2?

State Route 2 is maintaining two lanes and the 138 is maintaining 4 lanes. In our decision matrix, we have an adaptability category at it is rated very high and what that means is that we would be able to do any futures changes like if we had to add more lanes in the future we are able to do so.

IF BACKUP SEASON IS LONG AND IT AFFECTS THE 138, WOULDN’T A DIRECT CONNECTION BE A FEASIBLE OPTION?

We still have the left turn from the SR-2 onto the 138 from the normal conditions because the volumes on the 138 are still high by itself. There are still issues with the main line being so strong that the interrupted flow on the main line will still produce a LOS of over F. So it is not just seasonal traffic, which makes it even worse than it will be. For direct connectors, we looked into them but for the design speed and terrain and the conditions that are there, we have a more expensive options. And the ½ DDI it is similar to direct connectors.

ARE THERE ANY SEISMIC FAULT LINES WITHIN OUR PROJECT VICINITY?

The site lies 2.9 miles away from the San Andreas Fault. We ran some test on estimated ground shaking and we found it to be within the range that is not a concern.

WHAT DO YOU SEE AS THE TOP ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACTS OF THE HALF TIGHT DIAMOND AND WHAT COULD YOU DO TO MINIMIZE THESE IMPACTS?

The main issue is the earthwork required for that because of the fossils found in the area and in that case we need a paleontologist to come and evaluate the situation which might cause a delay and is part of risk for this project.

WHAT IS YOUR MAJOR PROJECT COST AND HOW WILL YOU MITIGATE FOR THAT?

The two big items are the hot asphalt and earthwork. We included location cost which reduced cause we have a nearby company.