Policy:
It is the policy of the Paulding County Engineer to provide an area for recovery in case a vehicle leaves the road and to provide a place to pull off the road in case of wide machinery, flat tire, etc. whenever a construction project is undertaken through his office.
The chart below is to be followed when a ditch project is proposed along a County Road. This chart will establish the normal shoulder widths required. Normally, the ditch should be laid over to provide the required shoulder widths.
In cases where the existing ditch has a usable shoulder but not as wide as required by the chart, and it is not feasible to move the ditch over (physically or economically), the opposite side of the road can be considered in order to mitigate the lack of proper shoulder width along the ditch. If the opposite side is relatively flat and has a safety slope (3:1 or flatter) beyond the normal edge of shoulder, it will be considered sufficient to provide a safe recovery area to pull off. The shoulder immediately adjacent to the edge of pavement should be at least 4' wide with a slope of 6:1 or flatter. The shoulder slope beyond this needs to be 3:1 or flatter and terminate on a level area (field, yard, etc.), or at a shallow ditch with a backslope (field side) which is also 3:1 or flatter.
Procedure:
Engineering staff will inform all inquiring landowners of the above policy when a ditch project is being contemplated by the landowner. Other questions not covered by this policy will be referred to the Engineer.
