The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA)

1. The American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) Federal Highway Administration Wisconsin Division January, 2010 Jason P. Spilak, PE, ARRA Engineer

2. Agenda • Introduction • Wisconsin statistics • Federal Highway’s expectations • 2010 areas for improvement • Conclusion

3. Introduction • Congratulations on 2009 success • Transparency (Reporting) • Delivery was successful • Challenges for 2010 • All funds committed by March 2nd • No ARRA funding changes after September 30th • Notice to Proceed & Expenditures soon after award

4. Statistic from 2009 There are 72 counties in Wisconsin and our FHWA ARRA engineer made it to 68 of them.

5. 2009 Wisconsin statistics

6. FHWA Expectations • Proper contracting procedures to be followed • Advertising & Awarding • NTP following award & work commencing • All parties to abide by and enforce the contract; both the letter and spirit thereof. • “Not Business as Usual” for ARRA means: • Stop poor practices • Enforce contract provisions

7. FHWA Expectations (continued) • The WisDOT is accountable for the local program. • All parties that work on ARRA projects must: follow all requirements prior to meeting local desires, or risk losing federal funds • Federal reporting requirements must be adhered to without exception.

8. Areas for Improvement in 2010 • Examples from 2009 • Safety • Pavements • Environmental • Bridges • DBE and contract compliance

9. Safety • General • Fall protection • Trench safety • Protective clothes • Confined space entry

10. Fall Protection • Walkway without railings or tie off system

11. Trench Safety • Pipe installation 20+ feet in the ground without trench box

12. Personal Protective Devices • No shirt • No hardhat • No reflective clothes

13. Safety (continued) • Work Zone • Eliminate unsafe traffic barriers • Use only safe end terminals • Crash tested systems installed correctly • Beam guard installed same day as removed • Drop off criteria identified and protected

14. Safe Barriers • Ensure barrier is in acceptable condition when delivered to the project

15. Safe End Terminals • Use in correct situations • Place in safe location

16. Ensure Correct Installation • Safety systems do not work if they are not installed correctly

17. Unsafe conditions • There needs to be an effort to replace rail systems the same day they are removed, or make necessary accommodations as the specifications dictate.

18. Drop Off Conditions • Grade for safety or protect public from hazard.

19. Pavements • No paving in the rain. • No water curing asphalt. • Concrete pavement cured per specification.

20. Paving in the rain • Not a good practice.

21. Moisture curing asphalt • Also not a good practice, warranty or no warranty.

22. Concrete curing • Make sure curing compound application timeframes specified are followed.

23. Environmental • Permits need to be on site. • Erosion and Sediment control is important.

24. Bridges • Understand and follow “Buy America” provisions for steel and cast iron products. • Certification for all manufacturing procedures. • Reinforcing steel needs to be laid out and poured per design and plan details. • Do not proceed with “critical” items of work without proper inspection. • Ensure inspectors are “comfortable” to inspect the project they are assigned to.

25. Reinforcing Steel • Poor practice. • Chair misaligned. • Steel not tied correctly.

26. DBE & Contract Compliancy • Emergency phone numbers posted. • DBE waiver in project files on site. • Project Board location is important.

27. Emergency Contact Information • This information needs to be current and posted on project where the public can see it during “off-hours”.

28. Project Compliancy Board • Location and employee accessibility is important.

29. Conclusion • 2009 was very successful • Most projects went well • Some project had “challenges” • 2010 can be even better than 2009 • Be Safe!