Pre-Bid Meeting Questions and Responses.pdf

West Fork Trail Bridge Pre-Bid Meeting Questions and Responses

QUESTION 1: Is there a designated location for borrow fill material?

RESPONSE 1: No. There may be a borrow site along Highway 39. We will check and post on the solicitation.

QUESTION 2: Is there a designated location for disposal of excavated rock and soil?

RESPONSE 2: Rock and soil material may be disposed of at the Rincon OHV area approximately ½ mile east of the bridge location. Small material must be spread at a designated area at the OHV site with larger boulders piled at another designated area. Any construction material encountered during excavation, such as rebar, concrete, and asphalt, must be disposed of off Government land. It is estimated that as much as half of the excavated material may be construction material, but this should be verified by the contractor on site.

QUESTION 3: Is there a soils report showing how much material rocky material can be expected?

RESPONSE 3: No. There is not a soils report for the area. The hillsides and slopes around the parking area are typical of the type of material that can be expected during excavation; a lot of rocks and boulders. Prospective bidders should anticipate the possibility that all excavated material will be unsuitable and, therefore, will need to be disposed of as stated in RESPONSE 2 or off Government land.

QUESTION 4: Where can construction equipment and material be stored/ staged?

RESPONSE 4: The parking lot in the southern section of the picnic area (south of the exit for the picnic area) will be closed to the public during construction. This area may be used by the contractor for storage and staging during the day. However, this area is known for frequent vandalism. Construction material and equipment may be stored/staged at the Rincon Fire Station approximately ¼ mile east of the construction site. This area is behind a locked road gate and not visible from the highway. A USFS-issued key may be given to the contractor to open the gate at the fire station.

QUESTION 5: Can the contractor stage at the OHV area?

RESPONSE 5: No. The OHV area is open on the weekends and is visible from the highway. The nearby

Rincon Fire Station may be used to stage/store equipment and material.

QUESTION 6: Is there a source for water for use during construction? Can water be drafted from the river?

RESPONSE 6: Water for construction is available at the Rincon Fire Station approximately ¼ mile east of the construction site. The contractor may be permitted up to 5,000 gallons of water per day (or less depending on fire suppression needs by the fire station) for construction purposes only. Water may not be drafted from the river.

QUESTION 7: Is a SWPPP or QSD needed for this project?

RESPONSE 7: Yes. Due to the critical habitat provided by the river, all material must be prevented from entering the river. More details about required SWPPP will be added to an amendment in the solicitation.

QUESTION 8: How can the contractor gain access to area of the abutments with equipment?

RESPONSE 8: On the north side of the river, a post on the southeast end of the parking area is removable, allowing for equipment to enter. If necessary, the contractor may remove a portion of the rock wall for access and replace it in kind upon completion of bridge construction. On the south side of the river, a key to the gate will be provided to the contractor for access to the area.

QUESTION 9: Do we have historical records of high water flows at the bridge location?

RESPONSE 9: We do not have records of historical water flows in the area. The depth of flow for the

100-year and for the 2-year return periods are shown on the drawings. However, the flow in the river is controlled by Cogswell Dam.

QUESTION 10: Concern was expressed for designing an ADA accessible approach ramp on the north side of the river, as it could be very expensive to construct considering the terrain.

RESPONSE 10: The approach ramp on the north side will not be required to meet ADA accessibility regulations. This will be addressed in an amendment to the solicitation.

QUESTION 11: What is the need of the bridge?

RESPONSE 11: The road on the south side of the river is popular among hikers, bikers, and fishermen, and is a designated national scenic bikeway. The West Fork area is one of the busiest on the Angeles

National Forest. The parking area on the south side of the river is often full, requiring people to park on the north side of the river and walk across the highway bridge to access the road. This is dangerous for pedestrians. This new bridge will provide safe access to the south side of the river from the north parking area without the need to walk across the highway bridge.

QUESTION 12: Is there electrical power available at the site?

RESPONSE 12: No. Prospective bidders may choose to operate electrical equipment using their own generator (not to be provided by USFS).

QUESTION 13: What consideration is given to the tree(s) adjacent to the river which run along the alignment path of the bridge and will they have to be removed by the contractor?

RESPONSE 13: Once the final location of the abutments is staked by the contractor and the bridge alignment is determined – the USFS will ascertain if tree removal is necessary. If tree(s) need to be removed, the USFS will be responsible for removing them.