Section 540.10  Requests for the Construction of Pedestrian Overpass Structures

 

In the past, we have received requests for the construction of pedestrian overpass structures over State highways.  The great majority of these requests have been in connection with school crossings.  Future requests of this nature will be based on the following warrants:

 

a)         During each of two periods of a day when school children are using the crossing, the vehicular volumes and the number of children crossing must exceed the requirements shown on the attached chart, (See Exhibit A). At existing locations, a field study of actual traffic conditions may be made in lieu of using the chart.

 

b)         During each of the same two periods, the number of school children crossing in one direction shall not be less than 50.  When the 85^th percentile speed of vehicular traffic exceeds 40 miles per hour or when the school crossing is located in an isolated community having a population of less than 10,000, this requirement may be reduced to 35 school children.

 

c)         There is no existing stop or go signal control on the street being crossed within 600 feet of the proposed school overpass.

 

Section 540.20  Receipt of Requests

 

Requests for pedestrian overpasses should be received in writing from the municipality.  The County Superintendent of Highways, the Township Commissioner or the school board may be considered as the proper authority for installations outside the corporate limits.  Upon receipt of this request, a formal agreement between the State and local agency will be prepared setting forth the responsibilities of each party.  Nothing in this policy would preclude the local agency from constructing and maintaining an overpass structure with their own funds subject to the issuance of a permit by the State.

 

Section 540.30  Agreement of School Authorities

 

The school authorities shall agree in writing to require usage of the overpass facility by the children for school activities.

 

Section 540.40  Responsibilities of the State

 

The State shall be responsible for the design, acquisition of right of way and construction of the overpass facility.  Upon completion, the local agency will maintain the structure, stair or ramp approaches, protective fencing erected on the structure, sidewalk connections and pedestrian barrier.

 

Section 540.50  Liabilities

 

The local agency shall save the Department harmless from any liabilities in connection with the construction or use of the overpass.

 

Section 540.60  Participation

 

Participation in the cost of the overpass structure shall be as follows:

 

a)         Existing State highway being widened to add lanes; 75 percent State − 25 percent local (contribution may be in the form of cash, preliminary engineering, or right of way).

 

b)         State highway on new location separating school from residential areas; 100 percent State.

 

c)         No highway improvement but warrants are met; 50 percent State − 50 percent local.

 

d)         Adjustment of existing overpass structure required by highway improvement; 100 percent State.

 

Section 540.70  Length of Pedestrian Barrier

 

As part of the overpass construction, a sufficient length of pedestrian barrier should be erected along the highway to dicourage at-grade crossing and encourage pedestrians to use the overpass.  The length of pedestrian barrier and its location will be determined on an individual project basis.

 

Section 540.80  Design of Overpass Structures

 

All overpass structures will be designed for a vertical clearance, over the pavement of 17' - 3".  Horizontal clearances from the edge of roadway to piers or abutments will comply with current design geometric standards for structures as contained in Section 4-005 and 4-010 of the Design Manual. All overpass structures will be designed with protective fencing to prevent objects from accidentally being dropped on the traffic below.

 

Section 540.90  Engineering Study

 

Although the warrants given above are the minimum which must be met, the final determination to erect an overpass structure will be based on an engineering study.  Such study should include, but not be restricted to, the following considerations:

 

a)         The general conditions that require the school crossing are sufficiently permanent to justify such a structure.

 

b)         The physical characteristics of the location make such a structure feasible from an engineering standpoint.

 

c)         Such a structure could serve other pedestrians besides school children.

 

d)         There is no reasonable possibility that the replanning of school routes or school districts will eliminate the need for such a structure.

 

e)         A comparison between the structure and other types of controls indicates the structure is justified from a long-range standpoint.

Section 540.EXHIBIT A   Pedestrian Overpass Warrants for Two-Way Streets

 

 

 

Vehicular Volume Both Directions (Veh./hr.)

 

(Counted only during school crossing period and expanded to hourly volume.)

 

PEDESTRIAN OVERPASS WARRANTS FOR TWO-WAY STREETS