Typical projects include sidewalk construction, trail/greenway construction, shoulder widening or intersection improvements. These projects will follow the NCDOT
Project Delivery Network (PDN). The PDN divides project tasks into four Stages, as follows:
Stage 1: Project Initiation
- This stage is typically completed prior to coordination with NCDOT. It includes feasibility studies, preliminary traffic findings and an expected scope and estimate of the project.
Stage 2: Environmental and Right of Way (ROW) Plans
- In this stage, the majority of project design is completed, utility conflicts are identified and the Environmental Documentation is finalized. Many, but not all activities within the PDN could be required during this stage. The conclusion of this stage results with approved ROW plans that can be used for ROW Acquisition by the Local Government Agency (LGA).
Stage 3: Final Plans
- In this stage
ROW Acquisition is completed, utility coordination is underway with relocations beginning, and all discipline plans are finalized.
Stage 4: Plans, Specifications & Estimates (PS&E)
- The final design stage is when the 100% plans are approved and the project is prepared for Letting.
All projects should be coordinated with the LGA’s NCDOT Division contact to confirm the appropriate PDN activities and stages are included.
NCDOT's
2024 Roadway Standard Drawings and
Standard Specification for Roads and Structures should be used as the basis for the design of a project. If, however, the LGA can show and document that their own standards are more stringent, necessary for synchronization, or address design issues lacking in the NCDOT Standards, then an exception may be considered. LGAs must consult with the Division Project Manager (DPM) if deviations from NCDOT standards are being considered, which may require a lengthy review period among multiple entities.
IMPORTANT:
The final Plans, Specifications, and Contract Proposal must be reviewed and approved by NCDOT, to ensure compliance with applicable federal and state contractual requirements, before requesting construction authorization.
Procedure
The procedure varies depending on project type and complexity. Refer to the NCDOT
PDN for more information. The following framework generally applies to all projects:
- Coordinate with NCDOT and/or the Metropolitan Planning Organization (MPO) to confirm the project budget and schedule are feasible early in the project (before or during Stage 1)
- The LGA is advised to hire a Consultant to assist with the PDN process
- The LGA is responsible for uploading plans to the
Enterprise Business Services (EBS) Portal for NCDOT review
- Each submittal should be uploaded based on the agreed project schedule
- NCDOT Division or Central disciplines are responsible for reviewing the plans
- NCDOT will provide comments for each submittal and provide them to the LGA via the
EBS Portal
- The LGA is then responsible for coordinating with the Consultant to address comments or pass along any approvals received
- The LGA verifies that all NCDOT comments have been addressed and resubmits the updated plans through the
EBS Portal (subsequent reviews and submittals follow the same process, as needed)
