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Description / Abstract:
INTRODUCTION
The planning and locating of highway facilities are the first
steps in a challenging process of providing a safe and efficient
transportation system. Hydrologic and hydraulic requirements are
among the facets that must be considered during the early phases of
the design process.
Water and its related resources are important considerations in
the planning and locating of highways and their appurtenant
facilities. Although historically only major drainage features
(e.g., large rivers, environmentally sensitive areas) have been
considered during these early stages, the overall drainage solution
must be visualized and studied so that substantial design and
construction changes are not required later. The possible effects
that highway construction may have on existing drainage patterns,
river characteristics, potential flood hazards, and the environment
in general, and the effects the river and other water features may
have on the highway, should be considered at this time.
Hydrologic and hydraulic specialists must be actively involved
during the initial project phases to ensure that proper
consideration is being given to drainage aspects. This involvement
should include participation during the highway location selection
phase. Early input from these specialists will result in a better
design, both hydraulically and economically.
It must be emphasized that early studies are not comprehensive,
detailed, technical designs. Rather, most are cursory studies to
consider obvious drainage-related problems that may be encountered
or created and what type of data needs to be collected for
evaluation of possible impacts. The degree and extent of
preliminary hydraulic studies should be proportionate with the cost
and scope of the project and the perceived flood hazards that may
be encountered. This chapter presents a comprehensive overview of
possible considerations in the planning and locating of a
highway.