Shoulder Upgrade to Support Expanded Traffic Loads

Shoulders like those shown here are typically not designed as robustly as the designated travel lanes since they are not expected to support the equivalent single axle loads (ESALs) as will be seen in the travel lanes. However, when the roadway is configured to re-allocate the travel lanes across the pavement surface, the shoulder sometimes must be upgraded. That is what was done in this stretch of SR 141 in Delaware and this is an overview of the work that was needed to provide the structural support of the expanded travel way.
The Delaware T2/LTAP Center provides direct technical assistance, training, and technology transfer to Delaware local agencies relative to their transportation challenges.
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