|
Memorandum |
| TO: | Bridge & Structures Office Design Staff |
| FROM: | J. Kapur |
| DATE: | November 9, 2001 |
| SUBJECT: | Bridge Approach Slabs |
The
current WSDOT policy has been for the Geotech Branch to identify the need for
bridge approach slabs as part of the bridge Foundation Report.
The WSDOT Regions have been responsible for including bridge approach
slabs in their portion of the contract documents (plans, specifications, and
estimates) while referring to Standard Plan A-2 for structural details.
The
results achieved with the current process have been inconsistent and sometimes
less than desirable. In most situations, the Region has to figure out how to
configure and fit the approach slabs to match the ends of the bridge.
In other instances, approach slabs have been deleted under contract to
reduce project costs regardless of the Geotech Branch recommendations.
The Federal 1997 Region 10 Quality Improvement Review recommended
including bridge approach slabs in the Bridge Plans to address these issues.
With concurrence of the State Regions and the Geotechnical Branch, the Bridge and Structures Office will update BDM Chapter 8 as shown on the following pages. Effective immediately, (projects advertised as of December 3, 2001) bridge approach slabs will be included in the Bridge Plans.
If you have any questions regarding these issues, please contact Bruce Thill at 705-7393.
JK:dsb
BT
cc: J. A. Weigel, Bridge and Structures - 47340