Traffic Control Requirements

For Work in the Town Right-of-Way

For most construction or obstruction in the Town right-of-way, the Permittee is required to maintain traffic through the work zone.  The Engineering Division approves the type of traffic control based on the work proposed and existing road conditions (e.g. width, type of road, geometry, nearby intersections).  There are three (3) types of traffic control:

1. One-way Alternating
   This is the preferred method of traffic control.  Provide at least a 10- to 12-foot travel lane within the work zone and an adequate number of traffic control personnel for the length of work zone and road geometry/location of intersections.
2. Local Traffic Only
   The Permittee is allowed to exclude non-local traffic by placing signs to keep through traffic out of the work zone.  Under this method, the Permittee will provide access to local traffic (residents, emergency services, school buses, delivery services, trash/recycle pickup, etc.) using at least a 10- to 12-foot travel lane inside the work zone.  The location of the signs shall be at the first intersection where through traffic can turn to avoid the work zone.  Traffic control personnel must be located at each sign location, to allow local traffic, to advise through traffic of the need to detour, and to provide a one-way alternating pattern at the 10- to 12-foot travel lane within the work zone.  A plan indicating the route of excluded/detoured traffic is required with permit applications.  Provided the detour is sufficiently short and intuitive, detour signs are not required for this type of traffic control.
3. Road Closure
   If a 10- to 12-foot travel lane CANNOT be maintained, a marked detour is required, including submission of a detour plan with signs and other controls at appropriate locations.  Regardless of the type of personnel used, the Permittee must provide notice of all detours to the public safety departments on a daily basis. 

Two (2) types of personnel may be utilized for maintenance of traffic through (or around) a work zone:

1.  Private-Duty Police Officers
   East Hartford private-duty officers, when available, shall be the primary type of traffic control personnel for roads classified as collectors or arterials and for traffic control at major intersections.  See this map for road classifications.  The Permittee has the option to request official Police Department vehicles when requesting private-duty officers.  When officers are not available, uniformed flaggers may be used as a substitute.
2. Uniformed Flaggers
   Traffic control personnel for one-way alternating traffic on local roads may use uniformed flaggers.  In addition, uniformed flaggers may be used to provide information and access at a "Local Traffic Only" or "Road Closed" sign location.

Note that construction workers engaged in the construction may not also serve as uniformed flaggers.  Personnel providing flagging services within the workzone must be dedicated to only traffic control activities.

To request East Hartford private-duty officers, call (860) 291-7535 at least one business day prior to the day that services are needed (excluding weekends and holidays).

For Work in the State Right-of-Way

Contractors working in the State right-of-way will need to control traffic according to the encroachment permit issued by the Connecticut Department of Transportation, District 1 Permitting Office.  Note that traffic impacts on Town roads as a result of work in the State right-of-way may require an "obstruction type" permit from the Engineering Division.  Check here for a list of State roads in East Hartford.