Louisiana Highway, Street & Bridge
Construction Exam With Actual
Questions & Verified Answers ,Plus
Explained Rationales/Expert Verified
For Guaranteed Pass 2026/Latest
Update/Instant Download Pdf
1. Which agency is primarily responsible for the construction and
maintenance of state highways in Louisiana?
A) Louisiana Department of Public Works
B) Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
C) Louisiana Highway Patrol
D) Federal Highway Administration
B) Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
Rationale: The Louisiana DOTD oversees the planning, construction,
and maintenance of state highways, streets, and bridges.
2. What is the primary purpose of a subgrade in highway
construction?
A) To provide a smooth riding surface
B) To support the pavement structure
C) To improve drainage
D) To reduce vehicle noise
,B) To support the pavement structure
Rationale: The subgrade is the natural soil prepared to support the
loads from the pavement and traffic.
3. When constructing a bridge, what is the primary purpose of a
cofferdam?
A) To support the bridge deck
B) To provide a dry work area in water
C) To anchor the piers
D) To reinforce the abutments
B) To provide a dry work area in water
Rationale: Cofferdams are temporary structures used to keep water
out of construction areas for bridge piers and foundations.
4. Which type of asphalt mixture is most commonly used for
Louisiana highways?
A) Hot Mix Asphalt
B) Cold Mix Asphalt
C) Porous Asphalt
D) Recycled Asphalt
A) Hot Mix Asphalt
Rationale: Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) is widely used for high-traffic
roads due to its durability and strength.
5. What is the minimum compaction requirement for a highway
subbase according to Louisiana DOTD standards?
A) 80% of maximum dry density
B) 90% of maximum dry density
C) 95% of maximum dry density
D) 100% of maximum dry density
,B) 90% of maximum dry density
Rationale: DOTD specifies that subbase materials must be
compacted to at least 90% of the maximum dry density to ensure
structural integrity.
6. In bridge construction, what is the primary function of
expansion joints?
A) To anchor the bridge to the abutments
B) To allow for thermal movement
C) To improve drainage
D) To reduce traffic noise
B) To allow for thermal movement
Rationale: Expansion joints accommodate movement due to
temperature changes, preventing cracking or structural damage.
7. What is the standard maximum allowable slope for highway
embankments in Louisiana without special stabilization?
A) 1:1
B) 2:1
C) 3:1
D) 4:1
B) 2:1
Rationale: DOTD generally allows a 2:1 slope (horizontal:vertical)
for highway embankments unless soil stabilization or special
treatments are used.
8. Which equipment is primarily used for asphalt compaction on
highways?
A) Motor Grader
B) Vibratory Roller
C) Backhoe
D) Paver
, B) Vibratory Roller
Rationale: Vibratory rollers provide the necessary compaction for
asphalt layers to achieve proper density.
9. Which of the following is considered a primary method of soil
stabilization for road construction?
A) Mulching
B) Lime or cement treatment
C) Sandblasting
D) Asphalt overlay
B) Lime or cement treatment
Rationale: Lime or cement stabilization improves the strength and
load-bearing capacity of weak soils.
10. What is the purpose of a riprap along a bridge approach?
A) To reduce erosion and scour
B) To support the bridge deck
C) To provide aesthetic landscaping
D) To assist drainage under the bridge
A) To reduce erosion and scour
Rationale: Riprap is a layer of large stones placed to prevent soil
erosion from water flow around bridges and embankments.
11. What is the minimum thickness of a concrete bridge deck
according to DOTD specifications?
A) 6 inches
B) 8 inches
C) 10 inches
D) 12 inches
Construction Exam With Actual
Questions & Verified Answers ,Plus
Explained Rationales/Expert Verified
For Guaranteed Pass 2026/Latest
Update/Instant Download Pdf
1. Which agency is primarily responsible for the construction and
maintenance of state highways in Louisiana?
A) Louisiana Department of Public Works
B) Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
C) Louisiana Highway Patrol
D) Federal Highway Administration
B) Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development
Rationale: The Louisiana DOTD oversees the planning, construction,
and maintenance of state highways, streets, and bridges.
2. What is the primary purpose of a subgrade in highway
construction?
A) To provide a smooth riding surface
B) To support the pavement structure
C) To improve drainage
D) To reduce vehicle noise
,B) To support the pavement structure
Rationale: The subgrade is the natural soil prepared to support the
loads from the pavement and traffic.
3. When constructing a bridge, what is the primary purpose of a
cofferdam?
A) To support the bridge deck
B) To provide a dry work area in water
C) To anchor the piers
D) To reinforce the abutments
B) To provide a dry work area in water
Rationale: Cofferdams are temporary structures used to keep water
out of construction areas for bridge piers and foundations.
4. Which type of asphalt mixture is most commonly used for
Louisiana highways?
A) Hot Mix Asphalt
B) Cold Mix Asphalt
C) Porous Asphalt
D) Recycled Asphalt
A) Hot Mix Asphalt
Rationale: Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) is widely used for high-traffic
roads due to its durability and strength.
5. What is the minimum compaction requirement for a highway
subbase according to Louisiana DOTD standards?
A) 80% of maximum dry density
B) 90% of maximum dry density
C) 95% of maximum dry density
D) 100% of maximum dry density
,B) 90% of maximum dry density
Rationale: DOTD specifies that subbase materials must be
compacted to at least 90% of the maximum dry density to ensure
structural integrity.
6. In bridge construction, what is the primary function of
expansion joints?
A) To anchor the bridge to the abutments
B) To allow for thermal movement
C) To improve drainage
D) To reduce traffic noise
B) To allow for thermal movement
Rationale: Expansion joints accommodate movement due to
temperature changes, preventing cracking or structural damage.
7. What is the standard maximum allowable slope for highway
embankments in Louisiana without special stabilization?
A) 1:1
B) 2:1
C) 3:1
D) 4:1
B) 2:1
Rationale: DOTD generally allows a 2:1 slope (horizontal:vertical)
for highway embankments unless soil stabilization or special
treatments are used.
8. Which equipment is primarily used for asphalt compaction on
highways?
A) Motor Grader
B) Vibratory Roller
C) Backhoe
D) Paver
, B) Vibratory Roller
Rationale: Vibratory rollers provide the necessary compaction for
asphalt layers to achieve proper density.
9. Which of the following is considered a primary method of soil
stabilization for road construction?
A) Mulching
B) Lime or cement treatment
C) Sandblasting
D) Asphalt overlay
B) Lime or cement treatment
Rationale: Lime or cement stabilization improves the strength and
load-bearing capacity of weak soils.
10. What is the purpose of a riprap along a bridge approach?
A) To reduce erosion and scour
B) To support the bridge deck
C) To provide aesthetic landscaping
D) To assist drainage under the bridge
A) To reduce erosion and scour
Rationale: Riprap is a layer of large stones placed to prevent soil
erosion from water flow around bridges and embankments.
11. What is the minimum thickness of a concrete bridge deck
according to DOTD specifications?
A) 6 inches
B) 8 inches
C) 10 inches
D) 12 inches
