Chapter 5—Local Roads and Streets 5-7

Bicycle/Pedestrian FaciliƟes
Many local roadways are sufficient to accommodate bicycle traffic. Where special facilities for bicy-
cles are desired, they should be in accordance with AASHTO’s Guide for the Development of Bicycle
Facilities (2).

Sidewalks are not normally found along local rural roads. However, for areas where the designer desires
to accommodate pedestrians, additional design guidance can be found in Section 4.17.1 on “Sidewalks,”
and in AASHTO’s Guide for the Planning, Design, and Operation of Pedestrian Facilities (5).

5.2.3 Structures

New and Reconstructed Structures

The design of bridges, culverts, walls, tunnels, and other structures should be in accordance with the
current AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications (8). Except as otherwise indicated in this chapter
and in Chapter 4, the dimensional design of structures should also be in accordance with Reference (8).

The minimum design loading for new bridges on local rural roads should be the HL-93 design vehicle
live loads.

The minimum clear roadway widths for new and reconstructed bridges should be as given in Table 5-6.
For general discussion of structure widths, see Chapter 10.

Table 5-6. Minimum Clear Roadway Widths and Design Loadings for New and Reconstructed Bridges

Metric U.S. Customary

Minimum Minimum
Clear Road- Design Load- Clear Road- Design Load-
Design Volume way Width for ing Structural Design Volume way Width for ing Structural
(veh/day) Bridgesa Capacity (veh/day) Bridgesa Capacity
400 and under Traveled way + HL 93 400 and under Traveled way + HL 93
0.6 m (each side) 2 Ō (each side)
400 to 2000 Traveled way + HL 93 400 to 2000 Traveled way + HL 93
1.0 m (each side) 3 Ō (each side)
over 2000 Approach road- HL 93 over 2000 Approach road- HL 93
way widthb way widthb
a Where the approach roadway width (traveled way plus shoulders) is surfaced, that surface width should
be carried across the structures.
b For bridges in excess of 30 m [100 Ō] in length, the minimum width of traveled way plus 1 m [3 Ō] on each
side is acceptable.

Bridges to Remain in Place

Where an existing road is to be reconstructed, an existing bridge that fits the proposed alignment and
gradeline may remain in place when its structural capacity, in terms of design loading and clear roadway
width, are at least equal to the values shown in Table 5-7 for the applicable traffic volume.

The values shown in Table 5-7 do not apply to structures with total lengths greater than 30 m [100 ft].
These structures should be analyzed individually, taking into consideration the condition of the structure,