Road Opening Notice (Corridor Access Request)
A Road Opening Request is required to carry out any work or activity that affects the normal operation of the road, footpath and grass berm prior to performing the work or activity.
Code of Practice for Working on the Road:
Standards NZ Handbook 2002:2003
Operating Procedures for Waitomo District Council
These operating procedures have been produced to enable the code to be adapted to meet the particular requirements of the District. Comments are indicated by italic typeface.
Standards
The Standards New Zealand handbook - "Code of practice for Working in the Road" has been developed to ensure that public utility services are installed and reinstated in the roading corridor in a safe and acceptable manner.
Waitomo District Council has adopted the "Code of practice for Working in the Road" with the guidelines and additions set our in these Operating Procedures.
1.0 General Requirements
1.1 Introduction
The District Council as the road controlling authority is required to ensure that any works carried out within the road corridor are carefully planned and managed to ensure efficient use of the road corridor. Council is also required to ensure that any works within the road corridor cause a minimum of public in-convenience, are carried out in a safe manner and are properly reinstated to avoid unnecessary deterioration of the road asset (as defined in the code definitions).
1.2 Scope
The code deals with the roles and responsibilities of the road controlling authorities, utility providers and their various contractors.
1.3 Definitions
Additional to the definitions provided in the code:
"Minor works" shall include works on installation or relocation of a single utility connection or pole.
"Major works" shall include works on installation or relocation of more than one utility connection or pole in the same street.
"Project works" shall include installation of cabinets and other utility control devices.
1.4 Workplace Health and Safety
The health and safety of all people affected by the work in the road is of utmost importance. That shall include those persons carrying out the works, road users and the adjoining property occupiers.
2.0 Roles and Responsibilities
2.1 Road Controlling Authority (RCA)
The RCA has a responsibility to ensure that the condition and life of the asset is not unnecessarily reduced.
2.2 Principal Providers (Utility Operators)
Principal Providers include the utility operator responsible for ownership and maintenance of the services occupying space, above or below ground, in the roading corridor.
2.3 Quality Assurance
Council requires a minimum of TQS2 quality plan for all Minor Works within road reserve and TQS1 quality plan for all Major and Project works.
3.0 Works Liaison and Notification
3.1 State Highways
Within urban areas Transit NZ and the appropriate District Council share the responsibility for state highway road corridors. Transit is responsible for rural state highways but Council often has utility services in rural areas.
The principal provider shall apply for a road opening notice from both District Council and Transit New Zealand for Works on State Highways.
Temporary Traffic Management Plans (TMP's) on State Highways are required to comply with the relevant section of Transit New Zealand's Code of Practice for Temporary Traffic Management COPTTM manual and shall be authorised and approved by their agent (presently Transfield Services for this area) before work commences.
3.2 Preliminary Notification
Preliminary notification is required for all Project Works.
Preliminary notification will assist with planning and co-ordination of projects and should be applied for as early in the project planning as possible. If projects are to be co-ordinated with road surfacing the principal provider should note that the road surfacing season is limited.
3.3 Road Opening Notice (RON)
A road opening notice is required for all Minor, Major and Project Works at least 15 days before the proposed work start date. Legislation provides for RCA to set reasonable conditions usually within 20 days of receiving the notice. However, Council will undertake to issue the RON with any appropriate conditions within 15 days of receiving a fully completed application.
TMP's shall comply with the particular RCA's requirements for temporary traffic management. usually this shall be the relevant level of the Transit NZ COPTTM.
The Principal Provider shall be responsible for contacting all other affected utility providers and where necessary obtaining their consent to work within their utility corridor.
Should the location or details of the works change from that shown on the approved RON, a new approval is required before work commences again.
3.4 Works shall not commence until approval is received from the RCA
Full reinstatement of the carriageway and surfacing shall be completed within 7 working days of completion of the works, to the satisfaction of the RCA. Temporary traffic control shall be maintained to the approved standard until surfacing has been completed.
3.5 Emergency Works
For emergency works the Principal Provider shall notify the RCA and shall apply for a Road Opening Notice at the first available opportunity during normal office hours. Usually this can be achieved as the works are being undertaken.
Temporary traffic management shall be undertaken to the standard normally required by the RCA.
3.6 Works Completion Advice
This is to be submitted to Council within seven days of the completion of the works, at which the maintenance period will begin. A "Works Completion Advice" Form is attached for your completion.
3.7 Maintenance Notice
The maintenance notice shall be in the format of appendix F of the code.
3.8 Information Signs
The use of information signs shall not be mandatory, but may be required for specific Project or Major Works. Where the Principal Provider elects to display an information sign for a project the sign size, wording and layout shall be approved by the RCA before it is erected.
Signs shall be erected according to the Transit MOTSAM manual.
3.9 Traffic Management
Please refer to 3.3 above.
TTMP's on State Highways are required to comply with the relevant section of Transit NZ COPTTM and shall be authorised and approved by their agent (presently Transfield Services for this area) before work commences.
4.0 Deposits and Bonds
The RCA will require a deposit or bond from the Principal Provider to guard against the situation where works are not completed in a timely manner or appropriate standard.
The amount of the bond has been determined by the RCA based on the expected reinstatement costs and includes an allowance for estimated administration costs.
5.0 Reinstatement
5.1 Pavement Reinstatement
The reinstated pavement shall be fully compacted to a density at least equal to the adjoining pavement. The RCA may require that the compaction be measured using Clegg hammer or similar non-destructive compaction testing apparatus.
5.2 Surface Reinstatement
The reinstated surface shall have a finished surface texture similar to the surrounding surfacing. Pavement and surfacing reinstatement shall be carried out by suitably trained and qualified personnel to the satisfaction of the RCA engineer. In special circumstances (e.g. cobblestone surfacing) the RCA may request that a particular surfacing specialist be used. A water proof sealing coat is required before reinstatement of asphaltic concrete surfacing.
5.3 Fees
Application fees shall not be required for emergency works.
For Application fee and bond, see Council's Fees and Charges.