Rapid Response Techniques for Disasters Near Roadway Work Zones: Bagged-Aggregate Construction for Traffic Management

Work zone traffic management requires consideration of both normal conditions and potential emergencies. When a construction closure coincides with an adverse event (such as a severe storm, earthquake, or forest fire), it is sometimes necessary to quickly reopen traffic lanes, repair damage, or build a temporary road. This could require work at locations where construction equipment is unavailable. The bagged-aggregate technique is a method for durable road construction and repair using nothing but hand labor, gunny sacks, local aggregate such as gravel or sand, and basic construction tools. This brochure provides an overview of the bagged aggregate construction process to help clarify the role of this technique in managing traffic after an adverse event.