TWK/Specific/TBT-TWK-008

Temporary Access Roads

Temporary Works › Specific › Temporary Access Roads

Presenter		Project
Location		Date

Temporary access roads provide safe routes for vehicles and plant across the construction site.
Poorly constructed or maintained haul roads are a major cause of vehicle overturn and pedestrian strikes.
The road design must account for the heaviest vehicle expected, including loaded tipper trucks and cranes.
Road width must allow safe passing of vehicles; single-track roads need passing places at intervals.
Gradients steeper than 1 in 10 create risks for loaded vehicles, especially in wet conditions.
Drainage must be installed to prevent water pooling, erosion, and softening of the road formation.
Segregation between vehicles and pedestrians must be maintained on all temporary access routes.
Speed limits, signage, and traffic management measures apply to temporary roads just as on highways.
Temporary roads crossing buried services need protective measures to prevent damage from vehicle loads.
Maintenance including grading, pothole repair, and dust suppression is essential throughout the project.

Prevent overturns	Vehicles overturning on poorly maintained haul roads cause fatal crush injuries. Proper design and maintenance prevent this.
Pedestrian safety	Pedestrians sharing routes with heavy plant are struck and killed when segregation is absent or inadequate.
Site efficiency	Well-maintained temporary roads reduce vehicle damage, prevent delays, and keep the site operational in all weather.

Don't

DON'T allow vehicles to use temporary roads not designed for their weight.
DON'T let pedestrians share the same route as vehicles without segregation.
DON'T ignore potholes, rutting, or standing water on temporary access roads.
DON'T exceed the site speed limit, especially on unsurfaced haul roads.
DON'T build temporary roads over buried services without protective measures.
DON'T allow gradients steeper than 1 in 10 without engineering assessment.
DON'T neglect dust suppression in dry weather; reduced visibility causes collisions.
DON'T use temporary roads at night without adequate lighting in place.
DON'T abandon maintenance as the project progresses; roads deteriorate quickly.
DON'T reverse vehicles on temporary roads without a banksman guiding you.

See also: Haul Road Construction and Maintenance | Plant and Pedestrian Segregation

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