The INTERCHANGE Bridge Inspection Class, Don Neary. Directors Corner, Nicole Frankl IN THIS ISSUE N E B R A S K A L T A P

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N E B R A S K A L T A P 1 Local Technical Assistance Program The INTERCHANGE Vol 2: Issue 1 : April 1, 14 Directors Corner, Nicole Frankl Nicole is out on Maternity leave, please feel free to contact

1 N E B R A S K A L T A P 1 Local Technical Assistance Program The INTERCHANGE Vol 2: Issue 1 : April 1, 14 Directors Corner, Nicole Frankl Nicole is out on Maternity leave, please feel free to contact LTAP with any questions, comments or concerns. Thanks. IN THIS ISSUE 2014 Bridge Inspection Class 3R Standards for Roads & Bridges, Not on the State HWY System 2014 Bridge Inspection Class, Don Neary 2014 Bridge Inspection Class The 2014 National Highway Institute s Inspection of In-Service Bridges training class was held in Lincoln March The 10-day biennial course was hosted by Nebraska LTAP and was conducted by NHI instructors Guy Lane, John Coleman and Ron Gardner. 18 students, representing Nebraska counties, municipalities and engineering firms, attended this year s training. One participant was from as far away as Florida and another from Colorado. The next two week bridge inspection training will be held in NE Asphalt Conference Gravel Roads Academy Statewide Initiative Transit Erosion Control Updates Press Release TIM Visit our website for additional information and resources at To register for courses go to the following link: SectionList.aspx

2 Bridge Continued from Pg, 1. 2 Pictures from 2 Week Bridge School, Seward County Bridge

3 3 3R Standards for Roads & Bridges: Not on the State Highway System, Provided by Dennis Smith on behalf of Roger Figard, NBCS Chairman The Nebraska Board of Public Roads Classifications and Standards (NBCS) is developing a set of 3R (Resurfacing, Restoration and Rehabilitation) standards for county roads, municipal streets and bridges not on the State highway system. This will include adequate definitions, basic criteria and other incidental updates to the Board s rules and regulations. The current standards for county roads and municipal streets do not provide an intermediate level; the existing standards provide only for either new facilities (including improvements to existing facilities) generally termed new construction projects or else for maintenance of existing facilities as originally constructed termed maintenance projects. This is inconsistent with state highway standards - 3R standards are already in NBCS regulations for state highways in addition to new, reconstruction and maintenance standards. It is also at variance with federal terminology and 3R criteria. This results in confusion among practitioners, inconsistencies among documents filed with NBCS and unnecessarily complex procedures for Local Public Agencies (LPAs as they strive to preserve and extend the useful life of their assets. Specific difficulties include: Inability to make minor improvements without either bringing the project up to full standards or obtaining relaxations of standards; Inconsistencies in including projects in the One- and Six-Year Plan (required for new construction, not required for maintenance); No clear threshold between rehabilitation work that changes minor features (e.g. raising the surface by a few inches with an overlay and no milling) and work that may be more extensive but that returns the facility into the exact as-constructed features; and Conflicting NBCS and FHWA requirements for Federal Aid projects undertaken by counties and municipalities. 3R projects by regulation would allow economical rehabilitation projects, that is, projects which extend the life of your assets - roads and bridges - and at the same time address safety issues. It is not the Board s intent to create additional burden on LPAs. On the contrary, 3R standards should allow improved project scoping decisions, result in relatively fewer requests for relaxation of standards (saving schedule, time, effort and engineering costs), and overall make better use of tax dollars by extending the life of your roads, streets and bridges.

4 3R Standards, Cont pg 3 4 3R Standards for Roads & Bridges: Not on the State Highway System, Provided by Dennis Smith on behalf of Roger Figard, NBCS Chairman As we proceed through the process, it is important for all of us to realize that it is not the intent of standards to cover each and every situation or circumstance, and that there is a process (relaxation requests) already in place to address those. Since the inception of NBCS standards some 40 years ago, the Board feels that time has come to provide greater clarity and consistency in standards for LPAs, while also offering them added flexibility, by establishing 3R standards for counties and municipalities. The process is being managed by a 3R Standards Committee from the Board s membership. The Committee members are: Roger Figard, Chairman LeRoy Gerrard, Vice Chairman Barb Keegan David Wacker Mick Syslo The 3R Standards Committee requested and received a set of draft 3R standards from NDOR. An Advisory Committee on 3R Standards was also formed, consisting of: Tim Ryan (Keith County) Steve Riehle (Hall County) Chris Jacobsen (Custer County) Jim Hawks (City of North Platte) Milo Rust (City of Chadron) Randy Hoskins (City of Lincoln) Tim O Bryan (City of Omaha) Don Dye (MC Schaff) Mark Mainelli (Mainelli Wagner) Brian McDonald (JEO) Beth Ferrell (NACO) Lash Chaffin (League of Municipalities)

3R Standards, Cont pg 4 5 3R Standards for Roads & Bridges: Not on the State Highway System, Provided by Dennis Smith on behalf of Roger Figard, NBCS Chairman The Advisory Committee has met

It is early in the process, and no final decisions or proposals have been advanced by the 3R Standards Committee.

5 3R Standards, Cont pg 4 5 3R Standards for Roads & Bridges: Not on the State Highway System, Provided by Dennis Smith on behalf of Roger Figard, NBCS Chairman The Advisory Committee has met twice to discuss the first draft 3R Standards and has provided several comments. We thank them for taking their time and effort to review the first draft and provide feedback. It is early in the process, and no final decisions or proposals have been advanced by the 3R Standards Committee. There will be a public comment period later, in 2014 "Why Didn't I Think of That!" A forum for individuals to share the cost-saving/innovative measures they have implemented in their shops. Check out our link below. Got anything to share. Let us know!

6 Don t miss the return of The Gravel Roads Academy The premier, hands-on, gravel roads educational program is on the road again and heading in your direction.

Enroll today to earn your degree in Gravelology. Scheduled for May 1, 2014 in Omaha. Reserve NOW! go online to www.gravelroadsacademy.com or call 1-855-472-8351.

6 6 Don t miss the return of The Gravel Roads Academy The premier, hands-on, gravel roads educational program is on the road again and heading in your direction. Learn how to get more mileage out of your gravel roads budget with the latest tools, techniques, and know-how from the The Gravel Roads Academy. Enroll today to earn your degree in Gravelology. Scheduled for May 1, 2014 in Omaha. Reserve NOW! go online to or call Taught by recognized road maintenance experts, this one-day course will cover: Road Design Road Stabilization Road Maintenance Program Efficiency Field Training

7 2014 Nebraska Asphalt Paving Conference 7

8 2014 Asphalt Conference Continued pg 7 8

9 9 Statewide Transit Initiative: by, Bill Bivin On January 3, 2104, the NDOR Transit Section and staff from UNL, UNK, and UNO met in York to kick off the Statewide Transit Initiative Partnership. This multi-year partnership will promote and support safe, reliable, affordable, and efficient public transportation in Nebraska. Some of the projects to be facilitated through this partnership include the following: 1) Safety As of January 1, 2014, rural transit drivers will be required to complete minimum training within specified timeframes. The training will be conducted by the Nebraska Safety Center at UNK and includes core curriculum elements, refreshers, and elective courses. 2) Implement Statewide Mobility Management To improve efficiency, increase ridership, and provide additional transit options, rural public transportation will be provided by a system of coordinated services and providers statewide. 3) Technology and Asset Management The Transit Section and NU are developing a website dedicated to statewide public transportation. The site will be a one-stop shop that will meet the needs of the traveling public in addition to providing resources for transit providers. The site will automate data collection and allow for the electronic submission of required information from transit providers. The site will also house comprehensive, up to date information for all federally funded transit assets in the state. The site is currently functional but some elements remain to be developed. 4) Marketing and Research NU will conduct research to identify gaps in service across the state. To increase ridership and awareness of public transportation, a statewide transit marketing plan will be developed and launched in cooperation with NDOR s Communication Division. 5) Compliance with Federal Rules and Regulations Staff from UNO s Office of Public Administration will support the NDOR Transit Section to ensure all transit systems are in compliance with regulations regarding Title VI nondiscrimination. Title VI template policies, demographic information and training will be available to transit managers in 2014.

Cont. from page 9 10 The NDOR Transit Section and staff from all three Nebraska University campuses met on January 3, 2014 to kick off the Statewide Transit Initiative Partnership.

10 Cont. from page 9 10 The NDOR Transit Section and staff from all three Nebraska University campuses met on January 3, 2014 to kick off the Statewide Transit Initiative Partnership. 1st row (left to right): Valerie Lefler, UNO; Shashank Gajjala; David Drozd, UNO ; George Gallardo, NDOR, Melanie Kiper, UNO 2nd row (left to right): Ethel Williams, UNO; Franchell Abdalla, UNO; Frank Faughn, NDOR; Jerry Deichert, UNO; Connie Trautwein, NDOR; Kari Ruse, NDOR 3rd row (left to right): Darla Morris, UNK; Bill Bivin, UNL; Mick Anderson, UNK; Ryan Ruff, NDOR; Dennis Holtz, UNK; Wayne Masek, NDOR; Sarah Kugler, NDOR

11 11 Erosion Control Training Updates, By: Dennis Smith NDOR, with assistance from NE-LTAP, started Erosion Control classes in Jan and have been going strong ever since. Along with our primary instructors, NDOR s Ron Poe and his staff in the Roadside Stabilization Unit have been the backbone of this training for Nebraska, providing the expertise and subject matter covered in the classes. NDOR and most of our municipalities and counties have sent their inspectors thru training. As of today we have had over 1500 people take the one day Erosion and Sediment Control Basics for Inspectors certification class. About 550 have recertified since the first recertification class January Over 400 people have taken the two day Erosion and Sediment Control for Designers this class goes into more depth on how to design your projects erosion control best management practices (BMP s) before, during and after construction. Click on the link below to see possible future classes lined up. Some changes to the class and certification: Three or five year Inspector certification: The decision has been made and all Certifications will now be given for an active period of five years. Grace Period: Inspectors are given a one year certification grace period. If your certification lapses by more than one year, you will be required to take the full day live Inspector class again. This will help employees that leave and re-enter the industry. That being said, an Inspector s certification must be current to work on an NDOR project. Recertification: We currently have an online recertification program for individuals whose certifications are current. People who are certifying will have a choice of recertifying through the online course or by attending a live session. If you would like to recertify online please go to the link below for instructions on how to register and get set up. 20Online%20Recert%20Instructions.pdf Provisional class: to be offered started Jan 1, This will be an online course and is being offered to help get new hires and contractors temporarily certified until they can get into a full day Inspector certification class. This will be valid for a six month period and a person can only take this class once. People wanting to obtain their initial certification are required to attend a live class; making this option important to individuals needing certification prior to a class being offered. Nebraska s Construction Stormwater Permit : Nebraska s Department of Environmental Quality (NDEQ) has put the permit under administrative extension until they issue a new five year permit. Nebraska will continue to work under the current state permit until the new one is issued. Neighboring states: All the states surrounding Nebraska have been offering or are close to starting some form of Erosion Control training. NDOR s Ron Poe hopes discuss the idea of reciprocity with some of our neighboring states in the future. This will be a significant benefit to contractors who work across state lines.

12 12 Press Release: TIM Traffic Incident Management, by Mark Meints, NDOR Highway Emergency Program Specialist Free Training available On March 26 th and 27 th, 41 incident responders from across the State attended a 12 hour train the trainer course and have become instructors on the U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administrations Traffic Incident Management program. The responders were from several agencies and departments including the Nebraska Department of Roads, Nebraska State patrol, Nebraska EMS/Trauma Program, Nebraska Fire Marshalls Office, Lincoln Police Department, York Fire and Rescue, Nebraska LTAP, and the Professional Towers Association of Nebraska. Traffic Incident Management, or TIM, consists of a planned and coordinated multi-disciplinary process to detect, respond to, and clear traffic incidents so that traffic flow may be restored as safely and quickly as possible on Nebraska s streets, roads, highways and interstate. Effective TIM reduces the duration and impacts of traffic incidents and improves the safety of motorists, crash victims and emergency responders. The TIM Program of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is part of a larger all-hazards program called Emergency Transportation Operations. In connection with the second Strategic Highway Research Program and the Second Every Day Counts initiative, the Federal Highway Administration is implementing a nationally consistent program of TIM responder training. Training of traffic incident responders is vital for achieving the National Unified Goal for TIM. Important aspects of TIM addressed by this goal include responder safety; quick clearance; and prompt, reliable and interoperable incident communications. This coordinated process involves a number of public and private sector partners, including: Law Enforcement, Fire and Rescue, Emergency Medical Services, Transportation, Public Safety Communications, Emergency Management, Towing and Recovery, Hazardous Materials Contactors, and Traffic Information Media. The instructors for the course will be asked to teach four, 4 hour training sessions over the next year to first responders. Law Enforcement, Fire/Rescue, and EMS Departments that have at least 6 members attend the 4 hour training will be receive $600 worth of safety equipment for traffic incident management.

13 13 None planned at this time Don t forget to register for Future Conferences Sign up for Courses NOW!! May 1, Gravel Roads Academy Tentative Classes below (dates and locations may change) May 14-15: NHI : Transportation Safety May 28: NHI : Intersection Safety June 3-6: NHI : Bridge Maintenance Training (WILL NOT COUNT AS A RE- FRESHER!!!!!) June 24: NHI : Construction Zone Safety Please take a moment to click on the link below to update your information with us! Keeping us current. Keeps you informed.

The INTERCHANGE N E B R A S K A L T A P. A New Transportation Bill, By: Dan Cady. Local Technical Assistance Program IN THIS ISSUE

The INTERCHANGE N E B R A S K A L T A P. A New Transportation Bill, By: Dan Cady. Local Technical Assistance Program IN THIS ISSUE A New Transportation Bill, By: Dan Cady Congress passed a transportation bill that will fund the federal highway program at nearly $39.7 billion for FY13 and $40.26 billion for FY14 (approximately 27 months)