ACEC-IL / IDOT Bridge Committee
Location: Illinois Department of Transportation
2300 S. Dirksen Parkway Springfield, IL
Lower Level Auditorium (All visitors will need to report to the Front Desk for Visitor Badges)
Meeting Date: September 6, 2017 Time: 9:30 AM – Pre-meeting for ACEC-IL Bridge Committee Consultants 10:00–12:30 – Meeting with IDOT Topics to be discussed:
1. Welcome
2. Networking
3. ACEC Items:
a. Dave Bender update
The state budget has finally passed since our last meeting. However, over $300 million in obligations that were previously paid from the General Fund was transferred to the Road Fund. This will introduce further budgeting constraints with IDOT and future projects.
ACEC would like additional rank & file legislators to fully understand the design and planning of transportation projects. Therefore ACEC will be implementing a training program for all 177 representatives to further their understanding of transportation projects. ACEC will be contacting firms to attend the training meetings and answer questions.
b. Committee Charter
ACEC is updating all committee charters. Dan Lutz emailed as well as passed out the updated charter and asked anyone who had suggested changes to be sent to him before Friday, September 8th. See Attachment 1 for the Charter.
c. Committee Pledge Forms
There are a select few that still have not submitted their committee pledge forms. The forms were passed out during the meeting. See Attachment 2 for the Committee Pledge Form
d. Webinar Series
ACEC now has the capability to host webinars, and is soliciting suggestions on webinar topics.
e. UHPC Implementation Team update
Dan Brydl is required to submit a report every 6 months.
The current projects involving UHPC: Circle Interchange bridge (deck panels), Campground Road over I-57 (deck panels), and Village of Northbrook is utilizing UHPC for the shear keys between PPC deck beams. IDOT continues to look for project candidates.
The current obstacles for utilizing UHPC include high cost as well as ensuring Contractors use proper forming and sealing to minimize leakage.
f. Request IDOT comments on:
1. Bridge Office staffing update
BBS staffing remains steady at 86 total. Since Jun 1st 2016, a total of 4 technicians and 13 civil engineers have been hired.
2. Impact of lock box amendment update
The FY18 budget, enacted by the General Assembly, transferred $309 million in obligations from the General Revenue Fund to the Road Fund in perpetuity. IDOT is still identifying the impacts to the FY18 and multiyear program. While there may be an opportunity to fix this in the next legislative session, at this point in time payments are already being deducted from the Road Fund for FY18.
3. IDOT projections for bridge work on future bulletins
IDOT estimates future bulletins will consist of approximately 20 items.
4. New Bridge Manual status
The new Bridge Manual is still in progress and the release date has been updated to early 2018.
5. Updated design guide status
All design guides have been updated for the new AASHTO 8th edition, but the release date for the design guides will occur after the 8th edition is released.
6. 3D CADD bridge files policy overview
Per the CADD Deliverables Manual, the need for 3D CADD shall be determined early in the TSL phase. IDOT is still experimenting with 3D CADD internally and is using it on a select few projects. Contractors were given a presentation on the 3D CADD and Contractors were unsure of the usefulness during construction. IDOT is entering into a pooled fund with other states to develop 3D standards.
7. NBIS Metric 13 PCA status
This PCA started in November 2015 and will end January 2018. IDOT has completed the ratings of approximately 92% of the 2000 structures requiring a new load rating. Metric 13 has resulted in new posting vehicles in the Structural Services Manual that will be used in future load ratings.
8. Upcoming ABD Memos update
• Policy and Details for Exterior Beam Rotation:
GBSP 78 for Deck Construction will be revised due to the results from a recent exterior beam rotation study. The details for ties and blocking will be revised.
• Drilled Shaft Integrity Testing: A new GBSP will be created regarding drilled shaft integrity testing. This will clarify and assist with choosing which of the two drilled shaft testing methods should be used for the project.
Both memos are anticipated to be out before the end of the year.
9. Base sheet revisions summary
17 of the 31 bridge cells have been updated, as well as 2 culvert cells.
10. New base sheet revision tracking system status
A new revision tracking method has been implemented and consists of a table at the end of each base sheet library. This table lists the updated base sheet number as well as providing a short description on the revisions to that base sheet.
g. Best Practices Committee update
1. AASHTOWare survey • Survey results
In summary, the majority of the consultants who responded to the survey do not have experience. Those who did have experience typically either had a Var/Var contract with the BBS to do ratings, or were large firms who utilized the software in other states. See Attachment 3 for survey results.
• AASHTOWare training
Nearly all stated additional training is needed to effectively use and be consistent with IDOT’s intent and methods for rating structures. Training through RADBUG was previously available in Chicago and Kansas City. IDOT will discuss internally about any potential future training.
Tutorial can also be found at https://aashto.mbakercorp.com/Pages/Training.aspx
• AASHTOWare licensing issues
Limiting firms to 2 dedicated licenses without a network license option causes difficulty with staff/computer availability with multiple offices. Other software companies offer network licenses that limit the number of active seats, which would be beneficial to firms using AASHTOWare.
2. Future surveys
None discussed.
4. Illinois Department of Transportation Items:
a. Overview of changes included in the new 8th edition of the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications
An overview handout summarizing some of the changes was given to all in attendance. The majority of the changes in the 8th edition pertain to loads, concrete, and steel sections. See Attachment 4 for the overview handout.
b. ABD 17.1 – Bridge Deck Smoothness Grinding Policy
ABD 17.1 was released on March 31st and is intended to standardize the process. The need for grinding is established in the TSL and the ABD memo provides guidance on when to utilize grinding. Longitudinal deck grooving is also required with bridge deck smoothness grinding.
c. Structural Services Manual update overview
The Bridge Inspection and Load Rating sections were most affected in the new SSM. The revisions eliminated duplication and streamlined the manual. The following are some of the changes, but refer to Structural Services Manual Change Letter No 17-01 in the front of the SSM for a complete list.
Section 3 – Bridge Inspection:
• Bridge Inspection was modified to include transit bridges in NBIS
• Roles of Program Managers were clarified • Both local and state bridges must be recorded in ISIS within
90 days of opening to traffic • The fracture critical section was re-written • The critical finding notification process was updated • The 48 month inspection intervals can now allow the deck to
be rated a 6 • The requirements for temporary bridges used less than 90
days and greater than 90 days were revised
Section 4 – Load Rating:
• This section was completely re-written and now includes new rating vehicles.
Section 5 – Tunnel Inspection:
• Section has been added
d. Proposed revisions to bridge parapets for compliance with new MASH
The new MASH has an implementation date of Jan 1, 2018 for roadway and Jan 1, 2020 for bridges. IDOT has developed a 44” roadway median barrier with an 11° constant slope face. The BBS anticipates a bridge parapet that will match the roadway median barrier, with a 44” tall constant 11° slope barrier meeting TL-5 requirements and a 39” tall constant 11° slope barrier meeting TL-3 and TL-4 requirements.
IDOT and ODOT are working to test a side mounted steel railing to meet TL-4 rating. The testing is early in development.
e. CHANGE 2D hydraulic modeling – status
This is an Every Day Counts 4 initiative, headed by Dan Brydl and Matt O’Connor. IDOT staff recently attended an NHI training class on 2D. For the foreseeable future, the 2D software is not intended to replace the standard HECRAS 1D models, and IDOT is currently developing criteria on when a 2D model will be required.
f. Kickoff of 2nd Generation Overlay process review
IDOT and FHWA kicked off review on feasibility of removing the first overlay in order to place a new overlay versus deck replacement. While it is in the early stages of the process review, there are initial concerns with the surface preparation and removing the entire 1st overlay. IDOT also needs to evaluate how to identify candidates early enough.
5. Open discussion.
None.
6. Next meeting dates:
• March 2018 – Full committee meeting, date to be determined
• Fall 2018 – Bridge Seminar, date to be determined
Minutes prepared by Jeremy Buening ([email protected]).
Attendance Sign-In Sheet is attached as Attachment 5.
5221 South Sixth Street Road, Suite 120 • Springfield, Illinois 62703-5742 Phone: 217-529-7430 • Fax: 217-529-2742 • Email: [email protected] • Website: www.acec-il.org
ACEC-IL Committee Member Pledge As a Committee Member, I agree to:
• Attend most meetings • Provide potential agenda items for meetings when appropriate • Actively participate in meetings • Volunteer to serve on subcommittees and task forces when appropriate • Review meeting minutes
Signed:_________________________________ Date:___________________________________ Government Advocacy One of the most effective ways to support our industry is to make a contribution to the National PAC. The sole purpose of National PAC is to elect candidates to the U.S. House of Representatives and U.S. Senate who support policies and legislation favorable to the engineering industry. The ACEC-IL Board of Directors has established the following recommended minimum contribution levels: Board of Directors $1,000 Committee Chairs $250 Committee Members $50 There are several “fun” ways to contribute to the National PAC. ACEC-IL will hold PAC Raffles at each of our major membership meetings. ACEC National holds PAC Raffles at their Annual Convention and Fall Conference. ACEC National also holds social events at the Annual Convention, e.g. baseball games and a golf tournament at the Fall Conference. The registration fees for these events count as National PAC contributions. The Federal Election Campaign Act prohibits corporations from making federal election contributions. Therefore, these must be personal contributions with checks being payable to National PAC. Also, please know that National PAC contributions are not considered charitable contributions for federal income tax purposes.