AL HW Highway & Streets Contractor Exam
Questions and Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationale 2027 Q&A|
Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of a construction traffic control plan
on a highway project?
a. To increase the speed of construction equipment
b. To eliminate the need for warning signs
c. To provide for the safe movement of workers, motorists, and
pedestrians through or around the work area
d. To reduce the amount of project documentation
Rationale: A traffic control plan establishes how traffic will be managed
during construction. It addresses signs, channelizing devices, work
zones, lane closures, flagging, and worker protection so that both the
traveling public and construction personnel can move safely.
, 2. Which device is commonly used to separate traffic from a
highway work area?
a. Survey stake
b. Concrete footing
c. Traffic cones or drums
d. Grade rod
Rationale: Cones and drums are channelizing devices used to guide
traffic and establish a visual and physical boundary between moving
vehicles and the work area. Their placement and spacing must comply
with the applicable traffic-control requirements.
3. What is the purpose of a temporary traffic-control taper?
a. To store construction materials
b. To mark the project limits
c. To gradually shift or merge traffic from one path to another
d. To provide drainage beneath the roadway
Rationale: A taper provides a gradual transition for traffic entering,
leaving, or shifting around a work zone. Proper taper design reduces
sudden movements and helps drivers recognize changes in the normal
roadway alignment.
, 4. Before excavation begins near existing utilities, the contractor
should first:
a. Begin excavation with a backhoe
b. Remove all pavement
c. Have underground utilities located and marked
d. Increase the excavation depth
Rationale: Excavating without locating underground utilities can cause
service interruptions, property damage, injuries, or fatalities.
Contractors should follow applicable utility-location and notification
procedures before disturbing the ground.
5. What is the primary function of a roadway crown?
a. To increase pavement thickness
b. To prevent vehicles from passing
c. To facilitate drainage from the pavement surface
d. To provide additional shoulder width
Rationale: A crowned roadway has a cross slope that directs water
away from the center of the pavement. Effective surface drainage helps
reduce water infiltration and protects the pavement structure.
6. Which material is commonly used as aggregate in asphalt
pavement?
, a. Topsoil
b. Organic mulch
c. Crushed stone or gravel
d. Untreated clay
Rationale: Asphalt pavement typically contains mineral aggregate
bound together by asphalt binder. Aggregate provides much of the
pavement's structural strength and must meet specified gradation and
quality requirements.
7. What does the term “subgrade” generally refer to?
a. The finished asphalt surface
b. The painted roadway surface
c. The prepared soil surface that supports the pavement structure
d. The drainage ditch beside the road
Rationale: The subgrade is the prepared foundation beneath the
pavement layers. Proper grading, moisture control, and compaction of
the subgrade are important because deficiencies can lead to settlement
and pavement failure.
8. Why is compaction important when constructing a roadway
embankment?
Questions and Correct Answers (Verified
Answers) Plus Rationale 2027 Q&A|
Instant Download Pdf
1. What is the primary purpose of a construction traffic control plan
on a highway project?
a. To increase the speed of construction equipment
b. To eliminate the need for warning signs
c. To provide for the safe movement of workers, motorists, and
pedestrians through or around the work area
d. To reduce the amount of project documentation
Rationale: A traffic control plan establishes how traffic will be managed
during construction. It addresses signs, channelizing devices, work
zones, lane closures, flagging, and worker protection so that both the
traveling public and construction personnel can move safely.
, 2. Which device is commonly used to separate traffic from a
highway work area?
a. Survey stake
b. Concrete footing
c. Traffic cones or drums
d. Grade rod
Rationale: Cones and drums are channelizing devices used to guide
traffic and establish a visual and physical boundary between moving
vehicles and the work area. Their placement and spacing must comply
with the applicable traffic-control requirements.
3. What is the purpose of a temporary traffic-control taper?
a. To store construction materials
b. To mark the project limits
c. To gradually shift or merge traffic from one path to another
d. To provide drainage beneath the roadway
Rationale: A taper provides a gradual transition for traffic entering,
leaving, or shifting around a work zone. Proper taper design reduces
sudden movements and helps drivers recognize changes in the normal
roadway alignment.
, 4. Before excavation begins near existing utilities, the contractor
should first:
a. Begin excavation with a backhoe
b. Remove all pavement
c. Have underground utilities located and marked
d. Increase the excavation depth
Rationale: Excavating without locating underground utilities can cause
service interruptions, property damage, injuries, or fatalities.
Contractors should follow applicable utility-location and notification
procedures before disturbing the ground.
5. What is the primary function of a roadway crown?
a. To increase pavement thickness
b. To prevent vehicles from passing
c. To facilitate drainage from the pavement surface
d. To provide additional shoulder width
Rationale: A crowned roadway has a cross slope that directs water
away from the center of the pavement. Effective surface drainage helps
reduce water infiltration and protects the pavement structure.
6. Which material is commonly used as aggregate in asphalt
pavement?
, a. Topsoil
b. Organic mulch
c. Crushed stone or gravel
d. Untreated clay
Rationale: Asphalt pavement typically contains mineral aggregate
bound together by asphalt binder. Aggregate provides much of the
pavement's structural strength and must meet specified gradation and
quality requirements.
7. What does the term “subgrade” generally refer to?
a. The finished asphalt surface
b. The painted roadway surface
c. The prepared soil surface that supports the pavement structure
d. The drainage ditch beside the road
Rationale: The subgrade is the prepared foundation beneath the
pavement layers. Proper grading, moisture control, and compaction of
the subgrade are important because deficiencies can lead to settlement
and pavement failure.
8. Why is compaction important when constructing a roadway
embankment?
