27 CAR § 92-314. Public information

(a) The Arkansas Department of Transportation must maintain superior public communication throughout the duration of any project in order to: (1) Maintain the department’s role as a good neighbor; (2) Maintain a positive opinion; and (3) Avoid developing a negative perception of the project. (b)(1) On any transportation project, the public will recognize that the work is controlled by the department and, as such, the department should provide accurate and timely public information. (2) In a D-B project, the design-builder can play an important role and provide support staff during the implementation phase of the project to facilitate the interaction between the public and the department. (3) In most cases, the design-builder possesses a more detailed and intimate understanding of the project maintenance of traffic, traffic staging, and day-to-day issues and impending changes of the project over which the design-builder has direct control. (4) The department can capitalize on the design-builder’s intimate knowledge and expertise by requiring key information and communication protocols in the RFP. (5) For example, the design-builder can be required to: (A) Provide timely information about the project; (B) Coordinate and communicate final design details or construction status; (C) Provide materials for public meetings or distribution; or (D) Attend and actively participate in public meetings. (c) While the design-builder can be required by the DBA to be cooperative and facilitate a positive impact/experience for the public, the ultimate responsibility for public information remains with the department.