mta-bor2980-1_SunRiverBridge_HaulRoadAssessment.pdf

Prepared for:

WESTERN FEDERAL LANDS HIGHWAY DIVISION

610 East Fifth Street, Vancouver, WA 98661

HAUL ROUTE ASSESSMENT

Sun River Bridge Replacement, MT FLAP BOR 2980(1)

IDIQ Contract No. 69056721D000008 Task Order No. 69056723F00008N

July 2024

Prepared by:

ROBERT PECCIA &

ASSOCIATES

Helena, Montana

Sun River Bridge Replacement, MT FLAP BOR 2980(1)

Haul Route Assessment July 2024 i

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 Introduction

2.0 Pishkun Road

3.0 Desktop Haul Route Assessment

4.0 Field Haul Route Assessment

5.0 Assessment Results

6.0 Industry Outreach

Figures

Figure 1: Sun River Bridge Location

Tables

Table 1: Haul Route Deficiencies

Appendices

Appendix A: Haul Route Overview Appendix B: Haul Route Plan Sheets

July 2024 ii

ABBREVIATIONS/ACRONYMS

BLM Bureau of Land Management

FHWA Federal Highway Administration

GPS Global Positioning System

GID Greenfields Irrigation District

LiDAR Light Detection and Ranging

NEPA National Environmental Policy Act

RPA Robert Peccia and Associates

USBR United States Bureau of Reclamation

USFS United States Forest Service

WFLHD Western Federal Lands Highway Division

July 2024 1

1.0 INTRODUCTION

The Western Federal Lands Highway Division (WFLHD) of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is intending to complete the design and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) documentation for the Sun River Bridge Replacement project. Partner agencies on the project include the U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR), Bureau of Land Management (BLM), Greenfields Irrigation District (GID), and U.S. Forest Service

(USFS).

The proposed project consists of replacing the existing single-lane structurally deficient bridge built in 1916 with a new bridge meeting current design and safety standards. The new bridge will have a new alignment separate from the existing alignment.

The proposed project is located 73 miles west of Great Falls, Montana, 19 miles west of Augusta, Montana, and 0.75 mile downstream from the GID Diversion Dam near Gibson Reservoir in Montana. The bridge crosses the Sun River and spans the county lines of Lewis and Clark County and Teton County, Montana.

The proposed project location is shown in Figure 1.

Figure 1: Sun River Bridge Location

Source: Preliminary Engineering Report, June 2019.

2.0 PISHKUN ROAD

Due to load limits on the existing bridge, construction materials (e.g., borrow, aggregate, concrete, bridge girders, bridge deck panels) needed on the east side of the river will need to be transported to the project site via Pishkun Road. The purpose of this memorandum is to assess the suitability of Pishkun Road as a haul route, particularly for the bridge girders due to their length, and to identify any potential problem areas.

July 2024 2

Pishkun Road generally parallels the Pishkun Canal from the Sun River northeast to Pishkun Reservoir, a distance of approximately 11.5 miles. From the reservoir, the road continues northeast for approximately

8.5 miles to its intersection with South Bellview Road, a high-standard county road.

Along the canal, the road grade is generally level, and the road alignment is curvilinear. In three areas the road diverges from the canal and the road grade and alignment vary widely. Beyond the canal, the road grade varies but the alignment is more linear.

An overview of the route is shown in Appendix A.

3.0 DESKTOP HAUL ROUTE ASSESSMENT

Robert Peccia and Associates (RPA) began the assessment of the road by gathering available LiDAR data for the corridor. The data was used to create a 3D model of the route, and a best fit alignment and profile of the road was developed.

Using this alignment, a turning analysis was performed using Transoft Solutions’ Autoturn vehicle simulation software. Two custom tractor-trailer vehicles were created to mimic the anticipated 75-foot length of the bridge girders: one with a standard trailer and one with a steerable trailer. The vehicles were run through the corridor, and locations where the vehicles could not traverse the route were noted.

4.0 FIELD HAUL ROUTE ASSESSMENT

The results of the desktop assessment were loaded onto a GPS-enabled data collector and a team of two RPA engineers reviewed the haul route in the field. General road conditions (e.g., surfacing conditions, superelevation on curves) were noted as well as structures (e.g., bridges, cattle guards) along the route.

Each horizontal and vertical curve where the desktop analysis noted a failure was verified in the field. A cloth tape representing the length of the girder (~75 feet) was held taut and the team of engineers attempted to traverse the curve. The results of the field review were used to refine the desktop analysis.

RPA noted that a 90-foot-long, 9-foot-wide rail car had recently been installed over the canal as a bridge.

The bridge is located approximately 2.7 miles from the project site, or 17.3 miles up the haul route from South Bellview Road.

5.0 ASSESSMENT RESULTS

Based on the desktop and field assessment of the haul route, it is anticipated that a tractor with a steerable trailer will be needed to transport bridge girders from South Bellview Road to the project site. It may be possible to transport the girders as far as the east end of Pishkun Reservoir on a standard trailer; however, there are no existing parking areas or pullouts accessible with a standard trailer that are large enough to stage the girders prior to moving them to the project site.

Even with a steerable trailer, the assessment noted seven horizontal curves where it did not appear the vehicle could negotiate the road. A crane following the trailer hauling the girder could be needed to reposition the trailer in order to traverse the curves. Three vertical curves were identified that could pose problems, depending on the clearance of the girder over the road, which was assumed to be approximately

3.5 feet. Finally, six curves were noted with steep superelevation (>15%) that could cause a heavy load to become unstable. Locations where deficiencies were noted are listed in Table 1 below, and are shown on the plan sheets in Appendix B.

July 2024 3

Table 1: Haul Route Deficiencies

Approximate Location Deficiency

62+00 Horizontal curve, encroaching tree

71+50 Horizontal curve

73+00 Horizontal and vertical curve

119+00 Vertical curve

208+00 Steep superelevation

250+00 Horizontal Curve

271+00 Steep superelevation

316+00 Steep superelevation

331+00 Steep superelevation

389+00 Horizontal and vertical curve

434+00 Steep superelevation

582+00 Steep superelevation

594+50 Horizontal curve

In addition to the roadway geometry issues, 11 cattle guards were noted along the route. Most did not appear sufficient to carry the anticipated heavily loaded vehicles. Some had bypasses around them which could be used to avoid crossing them. In locations without bypasses or where the bypasses are not traversable by the hauling vehicles, steel plates or some other method of protecting the cattle guards should be employed. The location and photos of the cattle guards are shown in Appendix B.

6.0 INDUSTRY OUTREACH

RPA contacted a local heavy haul contractor for an independent opinion on the results of the haul road assessment. The haul route and geometry of the loads to be moved were explained to the contractor.

The contractor indicated that they did not feel a trailing crane would be necessary if a steerable trailer was used, given the width of the road. They also thought the assumed 3.5 feet of clearance under the girder was conservative, and as a result the three vertical curves identified as deficient would likely not cause issues. They agreed that a 15% superelevation was likely too steep, and that flattening the cross slope in those locations was advised.

APPENDIX A

HAUL ROUTE OVERVIEW

Choteau

10 miles to-

Augusta

6 m iles to

River

G U

L C

H

H O

M E

B u to p h C r e e k

W illow Creek Feeder

Pishku n Can al

Irrigation Diversion Dam

Existing Sun River Bridge

S u n

B E

A V

E R W

I L L

O W R

D

B e a v e r C r e e k

B la c k ta il G u lc h

H a n n a h G u lc h

P ish k u n C a n a l

Deep Creek

Hay Coulee

Deep Creek

W illow Creek

N o r w e g ia n G u lc h

MONTANA

2 1 0 2 4

SCALE IN MILES

N

Boat Launch

Pishkun Reservoir

END PROJECT

N

BEGIN CONSTRUCTION

BEGIN PROJECT

C R

E E

K R

D

B A

R R

PI

SHKUN

RD

SUN CANYON RD

TETON CO.

LEWIS & CLARK CO.

NATIONAL FOREST

LEWIS & CLARK

Red Lake

Reservoir

Pishkun

PI

SHKUN

RD

S BELLVIEW RD

PIS

H

K U

N C

A N

A L R

D

W SPRING VALLEY RD

Y O

U N

G R

D

W SPRING VALLEY RD

M O

R R I S R

D

Reservoir Creek Willow

H O

D G

K

IS

S R

D

A C C E S S R

D

P

IS

H K

U N

"MAIN 01" 1+02.68

"MAIN 01" 18+30.00

END CONSTRUCTION

Unimproved Road

Minor Gravel Road

Major Gravel Road

Paved Road

LEGEND

"MAIN 01" 0+80.47

:1

A

J u ly

V ic in it y

M a p

R

P A

H

L N

\S h a r e d

\h ig h w a y s \F

H W

A \2 m ta b o r

S u n

R iv e r B r id g e \D

G N

\T e m p o r a r y

T r a f f ic

C o n tr o l\ m ta b o r p ln tt c v ic in it y m a p h a u lr o u te m e m o .d g n

HAUL ROUTE OVERVIEW

PROJECT

NUMBER

SHEET

K.2

MT FLAP BOR 2980(1)

APPENDIX B

HAUL ROUTE PLAN SHEETS

0 9 horizontal curvature issues

Potential vertical and bypass is useable and on a better alignment

Cattle guard, 12 ft wide, stout rails, mostly full, 15 ft and tree removal may be needed.

Potential horizontal curvature issues, brushing

:0

P

J u n e

T

O r p a h ln

\s h a r e d \h ig h w a y s \F

H W

A \2 m ta b o r S u n R iv e r B r id g e \D

G N

\P la n a n d P r o f il e \m ta b o r p ln p p P is h k u n R o a d .d g n

0+00 TO 110+00

PISHKUN ROAD

PROJECT

EX.1

15% superelevation

Potential vertical curvature issues gate condition, completely full, bypass

Cattle guard, 12 ft wide, poor car bridge, newly installed

90 ft long by 9 ft wide, rail :0

J u n e

T

O r p a h ln

\s h a r e d \h ig h w a y s \F

H W

A \2 m ta b o r S u n R iv e r B r id g e \D

G N

\P la n a n d P r o f il e \m ta b o r p ln p p P is h k u n R o a d .d g n

110+00 TO 230+00

PISHKUN ROAD

PROJECT

EX.2

Potential superelevation issue

Potential superelevation issue

Potential superelevation issue

Potential cornering issue with steerable trailer given its short length and alignment

Cattle guard, 10.5 ft wide, wood foundation, fair condition, bypass but likely unusable

:0

J u n e

T

O r p a h ln

\s h a r e d \h ig h w a y s \F

H W

A \2 m ta b o r S u n R iv e r B r id g e \D

G N

\P la n a n d P r o f il e \m ta b o r p ln p p P is h k u n R o a d .d g n

230+00 TO 350+00

PISHKUN ROAD

PROJECT

EX.3

Cattle guard, 12 ft wide, fair condition, concrete foundation, 20 ft bypass but likely unusable given bypass alignment

Potential vertical and horizontal curvature issues

5 3

0 4

350+00 TO 470+00

PISHKUN ROAD

Potential superelevation issue

:0

J u n e

T

O r p a h ln

\s h a r e d \h ig h w a y s \F

H W

A \2 m ta b o r S u n R iv e r B r id g e \D

G N

\P la n a n d P r o f il e \m ta b o r p ln p p P is h k u n R o a d .d g n

PROJECT

EX.4

no bypass

Cattle guard, 12 ft wide, concrete base, fair condition, 0 4

0 5

5 5

0 5

5 5 0 5

Potential superelevation issue

:0

J u n e

T

O r p a h ln

\s h a r e d \h ig h w a y s \F

H W

A \2 m ta b o r S u n R iv e r B r id g e \D

G N

\P la n a n d P r o f il e \m ta b o r p ln p p P is h k u n R o a d .d g n

470+00 TO 590+00

PISHKUN ROAD

PROJECT

EX.5

given roadway alignment which may need to be used condition, large 18 ft bypass concrete foundation, fair

Cattle guard, 12 ft wide, 5 700

590+00 TO 710+00

PISHKUN ROAD1

:0

J u n e

T

O r p a h ln

\s h a r e d \h ig h w a y s \F

H W

A \2 m ta b o r S u n R iv e r B r id g e \D

G N

\P la n a n d P r o f il e \m ta b o r p ln p p P is h k u n R o a d .d g n

PROJECT

EX.6

fair condition, good bypass

Cattle guard, 20 ft wide, wood foundation, condition, narrow bypass wood foundation, fair

Cattle guard, 16 ft wide, 0 7

0 7

0 7

5 7

:0

J u n e

T

O r p a h ln

\s h a r e d \h ig h w a y s \F

H W

A \2 m ta b o r S u n R iv e r B r id g e \D

G N

\P la n a n d P r o f il e \m ta b o r p ln p p P is h k u n R o a d .d g n

710+00 TO 830+00

PISHKUN ROAD

PROJECT

EX.7

Bridge, concrete deck, concrete girdersCattle guard, poor condition, 16 ft wide, wood foundation

Cattle guard, wood foundation, 20 ft wide, fair condition.

0 8

5 9

5 9

:0

J u n e

T

O r p a h ln

\s h a r e d \h ig h w a y s \F

H W

A \2 m ta b o r S u n R iv e r B r id g e \D

G N

\P la n a n d P r o f il e \m ta b o r p ln p p P is h k u n R o a d .d g n

830+00 TO 950+00

PISHKUN ROAD

PROJECT

EX.8

Cattle guard, wood foundation, poor condition, 20 ft wide

:0

J u n e

T

O r p a h ln

\s h a r e d \h ig h w a y s \F

H W

A \2 m ta b o r S u n R iv e r B r id g e \D

G N

\P la n a n d P r o f il e \m ta b o r p ln p p P is h k u n R o a d .d g n

950+00 TO 1050+70

PISHKUN ROAD

PROJECT

EX.9