LOUISIANA HIGHWAY, STREET & BRIDGE
CONSTRUCTION EXAM WITH COMPLETE
ANSWERS WITH RATIONELS LATEST
UPDATE 2026
Part 1: General Provisions, Contract Admin, & Earthwork (Questions
1-25)
1. According to the Louisiana Standard Specifications for Roads
and Bridges (LSSRB), what is the minimum hours of advance notice
the Contractor must give the Engineer before beginning any
construction operations?
A) 12 Hours
B) 24 Hours
C) 48 Hours
D) 72 Hours
Answer: B) 24 Hours
Rationale: Standard administrative requirement for quality assurance .
2. Under Louisiana Public Bid Law (LRS Title 38), what is the
primary purpose of competitive bidding?
,A) To favor local contractors.
B) To ensure transparency and fair competition.
C) To speed up the procurement process.
D) To reduce the Engineer's workload.
Answer: B) To ensure transparency and fair competition.
Rationale: Protects public funds by preventing favoritism and fraud .
3. Before digging, Louisiana Law requires contractors to notify "LA
One Call" at least how many hours in advance?
A) 24 Hours
B) 48 Hours
C) 72 Hours
D) 1 Week
Answer: B) 48 Hours
Rationale: Allows utilities time to mark underground lines .
4. If a discrepancy exists between the Project Plans and the
Standard Specifications, which generally takes precedence?
A) The Project Plans.
B) The Standard Specifications.
C) The Contractor's interpretation.
D) The verbal order of the Inspector.
Answer: B) The Standard Specifications.
Rationale: Specifications contain the binding legal/technical rules,
while plans show geometry .
5. The term "Clearing and Grubbing" (LSSRB Section 201)
specifically refers to:
A) The removal of topsoil only.
,B) The removal of vegetation, roots, stumps, and debris.
C) The demolition of existing pavement.
D) The installation of temporary fences.
Answer: B) The removal of vegetation, roots, stumps, and debris.
Rationale: Prepares the right-of-way for earthwork by removing
organic matter .
6. What is the primary function of a Geotextile Fabric in road
construction?
A) To waterproof the subgrade.
B) To separate and stabilize soil layers.
C) To add tensile strength to asphalt.
D) To filter water within the asphalt mix.
Answer: B) To separate and stabilize soil layers.
Rationale: Prevents mixing of subgrade soil with aggregate base .
7. A "Cut" in earthwork terminology refers to:
A) Adding soil to a low area.
B) Removing soil to lower the grade.
C) Compacting soil with heavy rollers.
D) A crack in the pavement surface.
Answer: B) Removing soil to lower the grade.
Rationale: Creating a road section by excavating existing ground .
8. A Proctor Test is used to determine:
A) The slump of fresh concrete.
B) The viscosity of asphalt.
C) Maximum dry density and optimum moisture content of soil.
D) The grade of reinforcing steel.
, Answer: C) Maximum dry density and optimum moisture content of
soil.
Rationale: Essential standard for compaction specifications .
9. What is the required slope (Horizontal:Vertical) for an unshored
excavation in Type A (stable) soil per OSHA 1926?
A) 1/2:1
B) 1:1
C) 1:2
D) 1:3
Answer: B) 1:1
Rationale: 1 foot horizontal for every 1 foot vertical .
10. A "Change Order" modifies the contract. For it to be valid, it
must be:
A) Verbal with a handshake.
B) Approved in writing by all parties.
C) Notarized by the Bonding Company.
D) Filed only with the Parish Clerk.
Answer: B) Approved in writing by all parties.
Rationale: Legally modifies scope/cost/schedule and prevents
disputes .
11. The "Mobilization" pay item typically covers:
A) The cost of asphalt materials.
B) Overhead and profit only.
C) Transporting equipment and setting up field offices.
D) The final cleanup of the site.
CONSTRUCTION EXAM WITH COMPLETE
ANSWERS WITH RATIONELS LATEST
UPDATE 2026
Part 1: General Provisions, Contract Admin, & Earthwork (Questions
1-25)
1. According to the Louisiana Standard Specifications for Roads
and Bridges (LSSRB), what is the minimum hours of advance notice
the Contractor must give the Engineer before beginning any
construction operations?
A) 12 Hours
B) 24 Hours
C) 48 Hours
D) 72 Hours
Answer: B) 24 Hours
Rationale: Standard administrative requirement for quality assurance .
2. Under Louisiana Public Bid Law (LRS Title 38), what is the
primary purpose of competitive bidding?
,A) To favor local contractors.
B) To ensure transparency and fair competition.
C) To speed up the procurement process.
D) To reduce the Engineer's workload.
Answer: B) To ensure transparency and fair competition.
Rationale: Protects public funds by preventing favoritism and fraud .
3. Before digging, Louisiana Law requires contractors to notify "LA
One Call" at least how many hours in advance?
A) 24 Hours
B) 48 Hours
C) 72 Hours
D) 1 Week
Answer: B) 48 Hours
Rationale: Allows utilities time to mark underground lines .
4. If a discrepancy exists between the Project Plans and the
Standard Specifications, which generally takes precedence?
A) The Project Plans.
B) The Standard Specifications.
C) The Contractor's interpretation.
D) The verbal order of the Inspector.
Answer: B) The Standard Specifications.
Rationale: Specifications contain the binding legal/technical rules,
while plans show geometry .
5. The term "Clearing and Grubbing" (LSSRB Section 201)
specifically refers to:
A) The removal of topsoil only.
,B) The removal of vegetation, roots, stumps, and debris.
C) The demolition of existing pavement.
D) The installation of temporary fences.
Answer: B) The removal of vegetation, roots, stumps, and debris.
Rationale: Prepares the right-of-way for earthwork by removing
organic matter .
6. What is the primary function of a Geotextile Fabric in road
construction?
A) To waterproof the subgrade.
B) To separate and stabilize soil layers.
C) To add tensile strength to asphalt.
D) To filter water within the asphalt mix.
Answer: B) To separate and stabilize soil layers.
Rationale: Prevents mixing of subgrade soil with aggregate base .
7. A "Cut" in earthwork terminology refers to:
A) Adding soil to a low area.
B) Removing soil to lower the grade.
C) Compacting soil with heavy rollers.
D) A crack in the pavement surface.
Answer: B) Removing soil to lower the grade.
Rationale: Creating a road section by excavating existing ground .
8. A Proctor Test is used to determine:
A) The slump of fresh concrete.
B) The viscosity of asphalt.
C) Maximum dry density and optimum moisture content of soil.
D) The grade of reinforcing steel.
, Answer: C) Maximum dry density and optimum moisture content of
soil.
Rationale: Essential standard for compaction specifications .
9. What is the required slope (Horizontal:Vertical) for an unshored
excavation in Type A (stable) soil per OSHA 1926?
A) 1/2:1
B) 1:1
C) 1:2
D) 1:3
Answer: B) 1:1
Rationale: 1 foot horizontal for every 1 foot vertical .
10. A "Change Order" modifies the contract. For it to be valid, it
must be:
A) Verbal with a handshake.
B) Approved in writing by all parties.
C) Notarized by the Bonding Company.
D) Filed only with the Parish Clerk.
Answer: B) Approved in writing by all parties.
Rationale: Legally modifies scope/cost/schedule and prevents
disputes .
11. The "Mobilization" pay item typically covers:
A) The cost of asphalt materials.
B) Overhead and profit only.
C) Transporting equipment and setting up field offices.
D) The final cleanup of the site.
