Replies

1. 
   Hudson Valley Carpenter | Apr 12, 2007 03:49pm | #1

   My God, what is this legal maze we're in?  In order to be safe from intruders we need a gate.  In order to be safe from liability claims we need a certified engineer to sign off on the gate.  From that point back to freekin' Adam, we need a paper trail of documentation, supplied by lawyers, to establish THE who, what, where, when and how of any and all responsibilities. 

   "First, kill all the lawyers"  William Shakespeare...attributed (just so his lawyers don't come after me)

    

1. 
   pigguy | Apr 12, 2007 04:13pm | #2

   Amen.... And it just keeps going.....

2. 
   RalphWicklund | Apr 12, 2007 04:18pm | #3

   Is your city large enough to have its own traffic engineering dept?

   Since you will also need a local permit for the construction of your gate you might as well do all your shopping under one roof.

   If they can't help you with the sign off they at least will have the go-to resources.

3. 
   jarhead | Apr 12, 2007 05:03pm | #4

   What about the county engineering permit office that you live in? Wouldn't they utilize someone like that?  They might put you in contact with someone. Here they are the ones that maintain and install the systems.

   edited to add. Sorry Ralph, stepped all over ya. Great minds think alike!  :-)

   Semper Fi

   "To be young and a conservative, you have no heart"

   "To be old and a liberal, you have no mind"

   Winston Churchill

   "Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference. The Marines don't have that problem."
   PRESIDENT RONALD REAGAN, 1985

   
   

   ---

   Edited 4/12/2007 10:05 am ET by Jarhead

1. 
   pigguy | Apr 13, 2007 02:27am | #6

   Good Idea. The city this project is in is Miami. I asked FDOT for referrals but they declined for legal reasons. I didn't think about checking with county, and city. Thank you

4. 
   TomT226 | Apr 12, 2007 07:53pm | #5

   Don't know how big of a city you live in, but check with your "Transportation" department for CPE's that work in design.  A lot of them may qualify as a "Traffic Engineer."  You may be able to get one to "moonlight" for you , or give you specific information so a PE can sign off.

   Also, look at plans and specs on similar jobs that have a similar requirement.  Here in Texas, TxDOT has requirements that paralell most cities and counties.  Usually if it's a city street, city rules apply.  County road, county rules.  State or Federally maintained roads, the DOT of the state applies.

   Any leg-work you can do on your own will save you bucks on design and give you some contacts for future projects.

   BTW, don't forget to look for compliance for wheel-chair ramps for sidewalk approaches.  Check that utilities have cleared too. Cuts look like crap.

    

1. 
   pigguy | Apr 13, 2007 02:32am | #7

   Regarding county, county rules. City, city rules. So I am finding out. Though this project is in Miami, its on a state hwy. Miami, has changed the guidelines on us several times. Now we have also been told that FDOT must also permit the entry. And FDOT has rules that are different from any of the versions that Miami has told us about. What a pain.

1. 
   TomT226 | Apr 13, 2007 02:56am | #8

   I feel your PITA.  If there are drives near where you are constructing yours, then the permits should show the corresponding requirememts, and the as-builts or construction plans should show the same.  Usually driveways have a minimum and maximum radius for the returns, and a apron extending to the ROW.  Should be records to show such, and they should be available to you.  You may have to spring for a blue-line of a standard drive.

   Oh, I forgot.  Gotta have a minimum crown for "low-riders." 

2. 
   brownbagg | Apr 13, 2007 02:59am | #9

   state will have rules different than city but state always override city and county. Federal override state.