Ala. Admin. Code r. 880-X-10C-.68 - Primary Roads

Primary roads shall meet the requirements of Section 880-X-10C-.67 and the additional requirements of this section.

(1) Certification. The construction or reconstruction of primary roads shall be certified in a report to the Alabama Surface Mining Commission by a qualified registered professional engineer, with experience in the design and construction of roads. The report shall indicate that the primary road has been constructed or reconstructed as designed and in accordance with the approved plan.

(2) Safety Factor. Each primary road embankment shall have a minimum static factor of 1.3.

(3) Location.

(a) To minimize erosion, a primary road shall be located, in so far as is practicable, on the most stable available surface.

(b) Fords of perennial or intermittent streams by primary roads are prohibited unless they are specifically approved by the Alabama Surface Mining Commission as temporary routes during periods of road construction.

(4) Drainage control. In accordance with the approved plan --

(a) Each primary road shall be constructed or reconstructed, and maintained to have adequate drainage control, using structures such as, but not limited to bridges, ditches, cross drains, and ditch relief drains. The drainage control system shall be designed to safely pass the peak runoff from a 10-year, 6-hour precipitation event.

(b) Drainage pipes and culverts shall be installed as designed, and maintained in a free and operating condition and to prevent or control erosion at inlets and outlets;

(c) Drainage ditches shall be constructed and maintained to prevent uncontrolled drainage over the road surface and embankment;

(d) Culverts shall be installed and maintained to sustain the vertical soil pressure, the passive resistance of the foundation, and the weight of vehicles using the road;

(e) Natural stream channels shall not be altered or relocated without the prior approval of the Alabama Surface Mining Commission in accordance with applicable 880-X-10C-.12 through 880-X-10C-.14 and 880-X-10C-.28; and

(f) Except as provided in paragraph (3)(b) of this section structures for perennial or intermittent stream channel crossings shall be made using bridges, culverts, low-water crossings, or other structures designed, constructed, and maintained using current, prudent engineering practices. The Alabama Surface Mining Commission shall ensure that low-water crossings are designed, constructed, and maintained to prevent erosion of the structure or streambed and additional contributions of suspended solids to streamflow.

(5) Surfacing. Primary roads shall be surfaced with material approved by the Alabama Surface Mining Commission as being sufficiently durable for the anticipated volume of traffic and the weight and speed of vehicles using the road.

Author: Randall C. Johnson

Notes

Ala. Admin. Code r. 880-X-10C-.68

May 20, 1982. Amended: September 18, 1990; effective: August 2, 1991.

Statutory Authority: Code of Ala. 1975 , §§ 9-16-71, 72, 73, 74, 75, 76, 80, 84, 90, 92, 97.