Traffic Control Plan Requirements and Procedures

Performing work that impacts the Culver City public right-of-way?

You’ll need to use the following links to apply for a Street Use Permit or Utility Permit. Both permits will typically require a temporary Traffic Control Plan of some form.

Below are the requirements and procedures for temporary Traffic Control Plans in Culver City.

Process

Step 1.Determine the Type of Street Where Work Will Be Occurring

The following street segments are considered Major Streets and will require Site-Specific Engineered Traffic Control Plans*:

  • Washington Boulevard between Walnut Avenue and Fairfax Avenue
  • Washington Place between Zanja Street and Tilden Avenue
  • Culver Boulevard between Sawtelle Boulevard and East City Limit
  • Jefferson Boulevard between I-405 and Sepulveda Boulevard
  • Jefferson Boulevard between Sawtelle Boulevard and East City Limit
  • Playa Street between Overland Avenue and Sepulveda Boulevard
  • Sepulveda Boulevard between Venice Boulevard and Centinela Avenue (excluding City of Los Angeles portion between Greenlawn Avenue and Ballona Creek Bridge)
  • Sawtelle Boulevard between Venice Boulevard and Braddock Drive
  • Overland Avenue between Venice Boulevard and Playa Street
  • Centinela Avenue between Mesmer Avenue and Green Valley Circle
  • Centinela Avenue between Washington Place and Washington Boulevard
  • Slauson Avenue between Jefferson Boulevard and East City Limit
  • National Boulevard between Venice Boulevard and Jefferson Boulevard
  • La Cienega Boulevard between Ballona Creek Bridge and Fairfax Avenue
  • Fairfax Avenue between Washington Boulevard and La Cienega Boulevard

 

For all other streets, a Standard Plan may be submitted for approval and use. A Standard Plan is defined as a copy of a typical traffic control plan sheet from the California MUTCD, California TTCH, or California WATCH Manual.

*Work on a Major Street that is completely confined to the parking lane, shoulder, sidewalk, or parkway may submit a Standard Plan as defined above in lieu of a Site-Specific Engineered Traffic Control Plan, subject to approval by Culver City Traffic Engineering.

*Continuous traffic control around work zones planned for longer than 14 days duration will require striping and subsequent restriping plans in addition to temporary traffic control devices.

Step 2.Based on Above, Create Site-Specific Engineered Traffic Control Plans OR Standard Plans

Requirements for Site-Specific Engineered Traffic Control Plan submissions:

  • Plans must comply with the latest edition of the California Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (CA MUTCD).
  • Plans must include the Culver City Specific Traffic Control General Notes (listed below).
  • The use of Type 1 Barricades is not allowed on Major Streets.
  • Taper widths of any kind (merging, shifting, shoulder, etc.) must be dimensioned or detailed.
  • Cone spacing shall be 17' (seventeen feet) maximum near work and conflict zones.
  • Phased construction must label the applicable phase on each traffic control plan sheet as well as estimated durations for each phase.
  • Professional Engineer Certification – Site-Specific Engineered Traffic Control Plans that meet any of the following conditions shall be stamped, signed, and dated by a professional civil or traffic engineer in accordance with the California Professional Engineers Act:
    • Traffic control duration longer than 72 hours (continuous)
    • Installation of crash cushions, K rail, temporary striping, or other semi-permanent traffic control elements beyond Type II/III barricades, flashers, signs, and channelizers (regardless of duration)
    • Contra-flow on any street
    • Whenever required by Culver City Mobility & Traffic Engineering Division.

     

Requirements for Standard Plan submissions:

  • Photocopy or PDF of the applicable sheet(s) from the California MUTCD, California TTCH, or California WATCH Manual.
  • Submitting only the page number(s) from the manuals above will not be accepted.
  • The chosen Standard Plan MUST match the site conditions and the planned work zone.

 

Step 3.Submit the Traffic Control Plan with Your Street Use Permit or Utility Permit

Include the duration (number of days), work hours, and workdays (weekday/weekend) with your Traffic Control Plan.

If needed, remember to request Temporary No Parking Signs (TNPS) with your Street Use Permit or Utility Permit. You will need to include the number of spaces and hours needed. Guidance for posting these signs is listed below.

 

Step 4.Traffic Engineering Review

The Mobility & Traffic Engineering Division will review your Traffic Control Plan with your Street Use Permit or Utility Permit application and will reach out with any comments or revisions.

Occasionally, comments are made on Traffic Control Plans that do not require resubmission before approval (approved with comments). Changes are expected to be made prior to work starting. The up-to-date Traffic Control Plans must be onsite at all times during work.

Engineered Site-Specific Traffic Control Plans - General Notes

  • It is the responsibility of the contractor performing work to install and maintain the traffic control devices as shown herein, as well as any such additional traffic control devices as may be required to ensure the safe movement of vehicular and pedestrian traffic through or around the closure area and provide maximum protection and safety to workers.
  • All traffic control devices shall be kept in their proper position at all times and shall be repaired, replaced, or cleaned as necessary to preserve their appearance and continuity.
  • All cones shall be 28 inches minimum in height.  Cones used during night time hours shall be equipped with retro reflective bands (or sleeves).
  • Any revisions to these drawings shall be approved in writing by the Engineer of Record and the City’s Mobility & Traffic Engineering Division.
  • The City’s Mobility & Traffic Engineering Division reserves the right to observe the traffic control operations and to make any necessary changes. Any directed changes shall supersede these plans and shall be implemented at the sole expense of the contractor.
  • All flashing arrow signs shall be solar powered.
  • Contractor shall provide flagmen as necessary to give adequate warning to traffic or to the public of any dangerous conditions to be encountered.
  • Contractor shall remove temporary traffic delineation, signage, and other devices when no longer required, and shall restore areas to original conditions.
  • Contractor shall cover existing signs where they conflict with construction detours and signing.
  • All open excavation or construction work shall be a minimum of 2 feet from any operating traffic lanes.
  • Contractor shall post uneven pavement signs, and ramp vertical pavement offset of 1 inch or more with asphalt for smooth transition.
  • Contractor shall coordinate with the agency for any temporary traffic signal timing modifications.
  • All striping and marking shall conform to SECTION 214 of the Standard Specifications for Public Works Construction. 
  • The contractor shall provide for access to all adjacent properties during work hours. Construction operations shall be conducted in such a manner as to cause as little inconvenience as possible to abutting property owners/operators.
  • All signs shall be reflectorized and standard size.
  • The contractor shall provide for safe pedestrian access at all times.

Temporary No Parking Sign Posting Guidelines

Temporary No Parking Sign (TNPS) must be posted at least 48 hours in advance and SHALL NOT cover or obscure existing signs or parking meter heads.

The TNPS must be unobstructed and clearly visible by drivers on the street.

Posting Requirements

  • Write Begin on the first sign and write End on the last sign.
  • Fasten TNP Signs securely at the top and bottom at a minimum.
  • Do not cover any existing signage.
  • Install TNG Signs facing oncoming traffic and at a 90 degree angle to the street (like a STOP sign).
  • TNP Signs must be unobstructed and clearly visible from the street.
  • Do not post TNP Signs on Trees if a 5 foot minimum to the bottom of the sign cannot be obtained.
  • Except when posted on a parking meter, a minimum of two TNPS are always required, with a maximum of 30’ (thirty feet) between them.
  • When the distance exceeds 30’ (thirty feet) in length, additional signs should be placed between the “BEGIN” and “END” signs, with all signs placed a maximum of 30’ (thirty feet) apart.
  • If the TNP Signs are being posted on the entire block, the maximum spacing between the signs is 50 feet and a TNP Sign must be posted on all existing poles where permanent parking signs are installed.


Posting On Trees

  • Fasten with twine, zip ties or clear tape.
  • DO NOT use nails, screws, staples or wires.
  • DO NOT trim the tree.


Posting on Street Lights or Utility Poles

•  Fasten with twine, wire, zip ties or clear tape.

Posting on Street Signs

  • Install below existing signage
  • Fasten with twine, wire, zip ties or clear tape.


Posting on Parking Meters

  • Install below existing signage
  • Fasten with twine, wire, zip ties or clear tape.
  • If the TNP Sign cannot fit below the existing signage, fasten adjacent to the existing signage.


Posting on Wood Stakes

  • Fasten with 1/2 inch stapes, nails, twine, wire, zip ties or clear tape.
  • The stake should be inserted at least 6 inches into the ground.


Example Site-Specific Engineered Traffic Control Plan

Please use the following link for a good example of a site-specific engineered traffic control plan for use on a Major Street in Culver City.

Site-Specific Engineered Traffic Control Plan Example File(PDF, 2MB)

 

 

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Contact Us

Public Works Department 
Mobility & Traffic Engineering Division

 

traffic.engineering@culvercity.org
(310) 253-5634

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