CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS.

(a) A barrier constructed under Section 133.041 of this code must:

(1) reach a height that the department determines that under the circumstances will obstruct, restrain, and prevent the normal passage of vehicular traffic;

(2) be of substantial construction suitable for impact under normal driving conditions; and

(3) have openings to the extent necessary for travel on the premises and for public road drainage, although such drainage paths must be covered with protective material, substantial enough to turn away motor vehicular traffic that normally travels the adjacent public road.

(b) The department may not adopt construction standards for barriers under Subsection (a) that are more stringent than department standards under other law.

(c) In the event the department determines that the pit location as detailed in the quarry safety plan or other application will contain substantial soil types of such density and other factors that will have a high probability of holding or impounding water, when the pit is operating, inactive, or abandoned, wherein the impoundment of water poses a definite and determinable unreasonable risk to human health and safety as set out in this code, the department may require the responsible party operating soil, dirt, clay, gravel, sand, caliche and clay pits to slope the sidewalls as an additional requirement to obtain a safety certificate or to alter the berm or barrier.