RFI Response 20260128.docx

Why is the project happening; is it part of a longer term initiative to access forestry resources/aggregates or forestry maintenance?

-This project is a replacement for a flood damaged culvert. The replacement will provide access to the area beyond the crossing for forest activities.

Is there a target max weight limit for the creek crossing?

1. The structure shall be designed for HL93 vehicles. The design load shall accommodate Minnesota Statute 169.826 Gross Weight Seasonal Increases and 169.8261 Forest Products Special Permit. The structure shall have an operating load rating for all Minnesota standard permit vehicles greater than or equal to 1.0. The load rating shall be in accordance with The Manual for Bridge Evaluation, latest edition by AASHTO. A sample load rating summary table for the vehicles to be included in the load rating report is shown below.

Why a bridge instead of a culvert, is this a dedicated trout stream (unlikely) if not are there exceptions to reach a specified performance for the crossing, box culvert(s) arch pipe, U-pipe etc.

· Kimball Creek is a designated trout stream as stated in the project Statement of Work and on drawing A01 of design drawing set Project MN ERFO FS SPERI909 2022-1(1), and trout stream restrictions must be accounted for in the project schedule.

· The project design drawings detail a structural plate arch. An aluminum box culvert or an aluminum structural plate arch are acceptable structures for this contract. If the proposed structure requires spread footings, the design of the footings will be the contractor’s responsibility. The pay items listed for the project will not be adjusted for additionally incurred design costs, labor, material expenses, etc. associated with a concrete footing and these costs should be included in the contractor’s Schedule of Items under the Structural Plate Arch line item. The approximate waterway area within the structure will be 180 sq ft before any stream simulation material is added within the structure area.

With sediment mitigation BMPs in place,, could one side at a time be completed with temporary abutments instead of rerouting/bypassing the stream?

· Temporary diversion of the creek will be necessary to construct the north and south concrete headwalls. The temporary diversion details provided in design drawing set Project MN ERFO FS SPERI909 2022-1(1) are proposed details. The contractor shall design the temporary diversion based on the peak flow data provided in the table on drawing S02. The temporary diversion plan shall be submitted to the Forest Service for review and concept approval.

We have hydromulch/seed equipment and use a bonded fiber matrix in place of straw or the like. Are we able to get exceptions for all the stormwater BMPs?

· The slopes shall be stabilized with a rolled erosion control product (RECP) as detailed in Drawing S04 of design drawing set Project MN ERFO FS SPERI909 2022-1(1). The RECP shall be a degradable material supplied in accordance with Standard Specifications for Construction of Roads and Bridges on Federal Highway Projects, FP-14 Section 713.17 Type 2 short-term.

· Alternatives to the design drawings and specifications may be proposed to the Forest Service for review. Blanket approval of alternatives or exceptions prior to review will not be granted.

The 304 road is minimum maintenance, from last seeing it, it would need brushing and improvement to be able to get trucks down it (without breaking springs or ripping mirrors off) In your experience would this be fair to propose that as additional scope, or include in mobilization?

· Improvements to FR304 are not scheduled prior to project construction. The Forest Service does maintain a road grading contract on the forest, but the work on FR304 is not guaranteed to occur prior to mobilization. Brushing or road improvements necessary for construction are incidental to the contract and will not be paid under a specific line item or as additional project scope.

Are the plans I attached below still relevant for this project.

· The most recent plans are posted on sam.gov. Since the initial posting drawing numbers R07, R08 and S02 have been updated.

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