Opinion ID: 1632489
Heading Depth: 1
Heading Rank: 7

Heading: The Roadway

Text: In the 1920s, the DOTD took many dirt roads into the state highway system and worked to add gravel to the dirt base of these roadways so as to provide a better traveling surface for those living in rural areas. During that time, DOTD acquired a right of passage for the dirt roadways from the adjoining landowners which varied depending on the individual agreements between the parties. In 1926, DOTD acquired Highway 37 and, in 1927, DOTD work-ordered Project 490-8 which called for the placement of a gravel surface on this highway. DOTD also designed and constructed one 14-foot travel lane from the roadway surface with a five foot shoulder on either side. This project was completed in 1929. In 1950, the DOTD work-ordered Project XXX-XX-XX (1951 project) for the paving of 10.304 miles of Highway 37 with asphalt in the area of the accident. Design plans called for the placement of additional gravel on the roadway surface prior to the three-surface application of asphalt, as well as the construction of a 3:1 shoulder slope. The 3:1 shoulder slope was constructed during the grading process prior to the additional gravel being added to the roadway. After the gravel was added, the slope varied, as noted by the project engineer on the as-built plans submitted to DOTD at the completion of this project in 1951. Additionally, plans called for the reworking of the single 14 foot lane into two-10 foot lanes with a one foot shoulder on either side. As-built plans marked by the project engineer indicated that the DOTD's right-of-way for this project consisted of the existing right-of-way which was 30 feet on either side of the center line of the roadway where there were no fences. In 1973, the DOTD work-ordered Project XXX-XX-XX (1975 project), affecting 4.55 miles of Highway 37 in the area of the accident and bid the work out to an independent contractor. Design plans called for the road surface to be overlaid after the stabilization of the roadway's base together with a reshaping of the travel lanes into two-11 foot lanes. The shoulder slope was to be left as it existed. The design plans were included in the contract document and the contractor was given 60 work days to complete the project at a cost of $519,977.04. The completed project was accepted by DOTD in 1975. Mr. Cockerham testified that he was well-acquainted with Highway 37, as this was the only roadway to and from Clinton, Louisiana, where he had grown up. On the day of the accident, Mr. Cockerham traversed the road on two separate occasions prior to leaving the convenience store parking lot immediately before the accident.