VDOT Precertification for Sound Wall Panels Complete
East Coast Precast has received precertification from the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) as a qualified supplier of structural sound wall panels for state-funded highway projects. The certification was granted at the end of last month following the completion of design review, sample panel testing, and a plant audit by the VDOT Materials Division.
What the certification covers
The certification covers structural precast sound wall panels supplied to the panel design requirements of VDOT Special Provisions section 231 (Sound Barriers). This includes:
- Panel structural design against the wind, dead, and impact loads specified in the AASHTO Guide Specifications for Structural Design of Sound Barriers as adopted by VDOT.
- Concrete mix design meeting VDOT class A4 modified for durability in exterior transportation applications.
- Reinforcement placement, cover, and detailing per VDOT Road and Bridge Standards.
- Standard architectural finishes (fieldstone, ashlar, ledgestone, and split-face form-liner) applied per project-specific architectural requirements.
Sample panels fabricated at the Amelia plant were tested at the Federal Highway Administration test facility in McLean, Virginia. Test results were submitted to VDOT along with the plant’s ISO-audit QC documentation and the mix design, reinforcement, and finishing procedures used in production.
Related StoneTree approval
Separately from the structural sound wall certification, our StoneTree fence product line has been on the VDOT approved products list for perimeter and privacy applications on state right-of-way projects since 2015. StoneTree in fieldstone and ashlar block finishes has been used on Virginia interstate sound wall packages including the Route 288 corridor sound wall installation we completed in 2020 (approximately 3,400 linear feet at 12-foot height, Chesterfield County).
The new structural panel certification adds a distinct category: full-height structural sound walls where the panel itself carries the wind and impact loads without a secondary framing system. This is relevant for taller wall applications (above 14 feet) and for installations where the wall functions as both a sound barrier and a retaining structure.
Bidding on VDOT sound wall packages
With the certification in hand, East Coast Precast is now able to bid directly on VDOT sound wall packages as a certified panel supplier rather than through a certified prime. General contractors bidding VDOT sound wall packages can request quotes at 1-866-524-3820 or through the contact page. Turnaround on a specification-complete quote request is typically two to four working days.
Specifying engineers and VDOT reviewers can request our full certification documentation package, including the sample panel test report, structural calculations, and plant QC procedures, from our estimating office.