A04__2024_SOW_-_Cyclic_Removal_of_Vegetation.pdf

2024 Bridge Vegetation Removal – NPS Districts, VA & NC March 19, 2024

Scope of Work 2024 Cyclic Removal of Vegetation Under and Adjacent to Road Bridges Blue Ridge Parkway

• This scope of work will provide for the cutting down dead, diseased, and hazardous tree in the surrounding area to the bridges, on ramps, and over passes along the Blue Ridge Parkway (BLRI) in Virginia, and North Carolina. A second part of this project is to removal of all trees, woody vegetation, and shrubs under and adjacent to bridges on the BLRI. This vegetation poses a threat to the Parkway pavement, bridge, and overpass structures. The structures are located along the entire 469 miles Parkway. The structures are between Mile Post (MP) 0.0 to MP 216.40 in Virginia and MP 216.40 to MP 469.01 in North Carolina.

• All debris (cut tress and vegetation, tree branches, limbs, and larger debris) will be dispersed/removed/disposed of as noted in the attached documents. Any debris that is removed from the job sites for disposal, will be deposited at a legal state or local disposal site.

• Note that the vegetation removal will need to occur at each end (or along both sides) of identified structure (county, state, and federal bridges). The dimensions of each area to be cleared are identified in the attached document. A description of each area will be provided as part of this contract, but for example the buttress walls are constructed of differing materials such as rock, steel, and concrete.

• Park personnel will identify trees to be removed that pose a risk to the parkway structures.

Park staff shall provide a written description of the boundaries for each structure for the contractor to ensure exact vegetation count to be removed, as required.

• A list of each work site will be provided with this scope.

• The basic location of the structures (bridges, over and under passes, box culverts, culvert, and tunnel) areas has been provided identifying the approximate quantity and size range of the trees to be removed.

• Contractor will also be responsible for removal any additional trees that are damaged in the process of felling the ones identified if they create an unsafe condition.

• Each site is to be left cleared of woody vegetation and shrubs as per attached spreadsheet.

• All tree stumps will be cut parallel to ground surface, and to within 2-inches of the ground.

• All work will be done under a single contract.

• All materials and equipment will be supplied by the Contractor. Materials and methods used should meet all Federal and State laws.

• No heavy equipment is allowed off road unless it is approved by the park point-of-contact prior to use.

• Protection of the Public: The Contractor shall always conduct his/her work as to assure the safety and convenience of the visiting public and to assure the protection of persons and property. Care shall always be taken to regulate the operations to protect visitors on the

Parkway. The Contractor shall provide, erect, and maintain all necessary barricades. Take the necessary precautions for protection and safety of the public and park property.

• When possible one lane of the parkway will remain open to traffic and the contractor will provide flagmen, and signage to control traffic as per Federal Highway Standards.

• Any permits required to complete the proposed work will be acquired by the contractor.

• Contractor shall provide a safety plan for this project as per contracting requirements.

There are six (6) groups of work to be completed that are listed in priority order. They have been color coded so the information on the Log Sheet matches the Bid Schedule Sheet. The estimated number of trees and their range of sizes are listed for each work site.

One or, all of the work groups will be completed, as long as, the project funds last. A complete matrix of work to be completed can be found in the attachments.

1. Virginia Base 1 - Bridges/Overpasses: Between MP 0.00 to 104.75 there are a total of 16 “Bridge Sites” to be cleared of saplings, shrubs, weed whack the grass, and cut the previous year’s stumps to within 2-inches of the ground so the ground can be mowed. All 16 sites are bridges, overpasses, or underpasses where work will be completed adjacent to abutment walls and underneath the bridges (totaling approximately 2.81acres). The areas and distances for each site are listed on the attached spread sheets. Disbursed between the 16 sites there are also 56 dead, diseased, or hazardous trees, greater than 6-inches, that need to be cut. If these trees are cut in a way that they are out of the mowed area, they can be left on site.

Each of the trees will need to be limbed and lay flat against the ground. The tree limb debris will need to be spread out, chipped onsite, or removed so that the debris left is not greater than three inches on the ground.

2. Virginia Base 2 - Bridges/Overpasses: Between MP 105.0 to 118.42 there are a total of 15 “Bridge Sites” to be cleared of saplings, shrubs, weed whack the grass, and cut the previous year’s stumps to within 2-inches of the ground so the ground can be mowed. All 15 sites are bridges, overpasses, or underpasses where work will be completed adjacent to abutment walls and underneath the bridges (totaling approximately 4.06 acres). The areas and distances for each site are listed on the attached spread sheets. Disbursed between the 15 sites there are also 71 dead, diseased, or hazardous trees, greater than 6-inches, that need to be cut. If these trees are cut in a way that they are out of the mowed area, they can be left on site.

Each of the trees will need to be limbed and lay flat against the ground. The tree

3. North Carolina Base 3 - Bridges/Overpasses: Between MP 305.19 to 382.63 there are a total of 19 “Bridge Sites” to be cleared of saplings, shrubs, weed whack the grass, and cut the previous year’s stumps to within 2-inches of the ground so the ground can be mowed. All 19 sites are bridges, overpasses, or underpasses where work will be completed adjacent to abutment walls and underneath the bridges (totaling approximately 2.36 acres). The areas and distances for each site are listed on the attached spread sheets. Disbursed between the 19 sites there are also 57 dead, diseased, or hazardous trees, greater than 6-inches, that need to be cut. If these trees are cut in a way that they are out of the mowed area, they can be left on site. Each of the trees will need to be limbed and lay flat against the ground.

The tree limb debris will need to be spread out, chipped onsite, or removed so that the debris left is not greater than three inches on the ground.

4. Virginia Option 1 - Bridges/Overpasses: Between MP 119.24 to 135.98 there are a total of 15 “Bridge Sites” to be cleared of saplings, shrubs, weed whack the grass, and cut the previous year’s stumps to within 2-inches of the ground so the ground can be mowed. All 15 sites are bridges, overpasses, or underpasses where work will be completed adjacent to abutment walls and underneath the bridges (totaling approximately 2.07 acres). The areas and distances for each site are listed on the attached spread sheets. Disbursed between the 15 sites there are also 86 dead, diseased, or hazardous trees, greater than 6-inches, that need to be cut. If these trees are cut in a way that they are out of the mowed area, they can be left on site. Each of the trees will need to be limbed and lay flat against the ground.

The tree limb debris will need to be spread out, chipped onsite, or removed so that the debris left is not greater than three inches on the ground.

5. North Carolina Option 2 - Bridges/Overpasses: Between MP 383.42 to 469.01 there are a total of 19 “Bridge Sites” to be cleared of saplings, shrubs, weed whack the grass, and cut the previous year’s stumps to within 2-inches of the ground so the ground can be mowed. All 19 sites are bridges, overpasses, or underpasses where work will be completed adjacent to abutment walls and underneath the bridges (totaling approximately 1.86 acres). The areas and distances for each site are listed on the attached spread sheets. Disbursed between the 19 sites there are also 80 dead, diseased, or hazardous trees, greater than 6-inches, that need to be cut. If these trees are cut in a way that they are out of the mowed area, they can be left on site. Each of the trees will need to be limbed and lay flat against the ground. The tree limb debris will need to be spread out, chipped onsite, or removed so that the debris left is not greater than three inches on the ground.

6. Virginia Option 3 - Bridges/Overpasses: Between MP 138.4 to 215.84 there are a total of 15 “Bridge Sites” to be cleared of saplings, shrubs, weed whack the grass, and cut the previous year’s stumps to within 2-inches of the ground so the ground can be mowed. All 15 sites are bridges, overpasses, or underpasses where work will be completed adjacent to abutment walls and underneath the bridges (totaling approximately 1.47 acres). The areas and distances for each site are listed on the attached spread sheets. Disbursed between the 15 sites there are also 52 dead, diseased, or hazardous trees, greater than 6-inches, that need to be cut. If these trees are cut in a way that they are out of the mowed area, they can be left on site.

Each of the trees will need to be limbed and lay flat against the ground. The tree

Attachments

Scope of Work