Caltrans Posts Proposed 2015 Specification Changes

The way California road builders do their job is going to be changing next year, as Caltrans is rolling out new Standard Specifications for 2015.

A draft version of some of the proposed changes is available on the agency’s web site right now, with additional changes to the existing 2010 specifications. The state Department of Transportation says the posted changes are not yet final (but will be later this year) and “is being supplied for information purposes only.”

Additional sections will be posted as they are ready according to the Division of Engineering Services – Office Engineer which is responsible for construction contract standards, awards and other services.

Specifications Divided into 11 Divisions:

Division I includes general specifications applicable to every contract unless specified as applicable under certain conditions.
Division II includes specifications for general construction applicable to every contract unless specified as applicable under certain conditions.
Divisions III through IX include construction specifications for specific bid items.
Division X includes specifications for common materials. For a material specified in this division, that material specified in any section must comply with the specifications.
Division XI includes construction specifications for buildings.

Change Is Coming

Office Engineer says the contents of these files are subject to change before the official publication, planned for late December. At that time a final version of the 2015 Standard Specifications will be placed on the website with a notice as to when they will be active for bidding purposes.

If you like your rule books as books, hard copies of the 2015 Standard Specifications will be available about six months after the final electronic version goes on line.
You can check out the draft version of the 337-page “2010 Revised Standard Specifications” (downloadable in Word format) at: www.dot.ca.gov/hq/esc/oe/construction_standards.html

“Survey Says”

Caltrans, meanwhile, is soliciting input from contractors and others with an on-line survey, questioning about their goals, strategic objectives and potential performance measures as it prepares an updated strategic plan. The department has come under heavy criticism for the Oakland Bay Bridge with massive cost overruns and failure to deliver the project by four years.

“Our partnership with you as key transportation stakeholders is vital to our success as we move forward,” Caltrans Director Malcolm Dougherty said in a notice to stakeholders seeking input. “As such, I invite you to review our goals and objectives and send us your insight regarding potential performance measures we could be using to help us evaluate how well we are meeting our stated objectives. Your input is very important to the success of our Strategic Plan.”

A link to the survey, which the department says may take 20 to 30 minutes to complete, is https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/CT_Performance_Measures