Technical Report - AC-883579_HWY-369.pdf

TECHNICAL REPORT

LANDSLIDE AND ROAD DAMAGE EVALUATION AND

REPAIR RECOMMENDATIONS

FOR THE

RECONSTRUCTION OF HIGHWAY

PR-453 AT KM. 12.7

QUEBRADILLAS, PUERTO RICO

PUERTO RICO HIGHWAY AND TRANSPORTATION AUTHORITY

PRHTA Design Area

EMERGENCY RELIEF PROGRAM

Prepared by:

ROBERTO REXACH CINTRON & ASSOCIATES

February 21, 2019

Technical Report Project: ER-HWY-369 PR-453 Km. 12.7 Quebradillas, PR Project Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority Emergency Relief Program Page – 2

Table of Contents

Introduction ......……………………………….………………………………...…….………………… 3

Damage Assessment.……………………………………………...…………….…………………...… 3

Site Inspection ………………………….………………………………….…………………… 3

Expected challenges ……………………………….…………………….…….……………… 4

Studies ……………………………...……………………………………………….…………………… 4

Survey and Topography ……………………………………….………….…………………… 4

Geotechnical ……………………...…………………………………….….…………………… 4

Environmental …….……………………………………………………….….………………… 4

Technical Solutions ……………………………….……………………………….……….……….……5

Alternate 1 ……………………………….……………………………………………………… 5

Schematic Plans Alternate 1 …………………………………………………………. 6

Alternate 2 ……………………………….…………...………………...…...…………….…... 11

Schematic Plans Alternate 2 …………….……………………………………….…. 12

.. Alternate 3………………………………………………………...…...….….………….…….. 17

Schematic Plans Alternate 3 ………………………………………………………… 18

Evaluation …………………………………………….…………………………….……………….…. 23

Evaluation Table ……………………………….………………………………......……………….…. 23

Recommendations ……………………………….…………………………....…...……….…..….…. 24

Appendix A: Geotechnical Investigation ………………………………………. ………….…......… 25

Appendix B: Environmental………………………………………………………………….…….…. 32

B-1: Cultural Resources Assessment Phase IA by Sharon Meléndez Ortiz, MA…….… 33

B-2: Biological Assessment by Enviro – Logic……………………………..………….…… 54

B-3: Survey to Determine the Presence of Asbestos by Zimmetry Environmental Management, Corp…………………………….………. 60

B-3: Survey to Determine the Presence of Lead by Zimmetry Environmental Management, Corp…………………………….………. 68

Appendix C: Opinions of Probable Cost………………………………………………….…………. 75

PR-453 Km. 12.7 Quebradillas, PR

Emergency Relief Program Page – 3

Introduction

The Puerto Rico Highway and Transportation Authority developed the Emergency Relief Program in order to mitigate and repair the damages to the myriad of roadways that were affected by the passing of Hurricanes Irma and Maria in September of 2017. The aftermath of these storms left the Puerto Rico highway system with numerous bridges in need of replacement or repairs, hundreds of landslides throughout the island, highway signage and traffic lights destroyed and or collapsed. This project will include the reconstruction of Highway PR 453 and a landslide which affected the roadway at Kilometer 12.7 in the Municipality of Quebradillas.

Figure 1. Aerial view of the roadway section

Damage Assessment

Site Description

The Lares bound lane of PR-453 (the south west side) around the area of Km.

12.7 Shows a series of longitudinal

cracking for a distance of over 150 Mts.

At the project area the slope on that side of the roadway, towards Guajataca

Lake, was washed out as a result of highway runoff caused by Hurricane

Maria. Damages can be seen along the shoulder area and the roadway edges

(see cover photo and Figure 2).

Although the washout that prompted this project occurred in a specific area, at

Sta 1+63 (Km. 12.7), there is a Figure 2. Collapsed Slope and Guard Rail

Longitudinal Cracking of Asphalt

PR-453 Km. 12.7 Quebradillas, PR

Emergency Relief Program Page – 4 secondary one at Sta 1+20. Both landslides occurred in proximity of existing culvert discharge structures. The main one does not seem to be caused by erosion from the culvert but from the lack of support to a section of embankment. The secondary landslide occurs to the side of a retaining wall that serves as a headwall to an existing culvert. In that area runoff from the roadway eroded a section on the edge of the wall.

In addition, there is a significant number of longitudinal cracks along the highway for a distance of over 150 meters north of the site. This cracking, outside the landslide areas, which is a product of settlement and or slippage of the roadway embankment is not within the scope of this project.

Expected Challenges

The project is small and limited in the area it will encompass, we don’t expect any challenging situations other than the normal construction period traffic management and control.

Studies

Survey and Topography

The site was surveyed by surveyor Abiud Reyes Rivera on January 9, 2019. The survey plan is included as part of the alternates plan sets.

Geotechnical

The geotechnical studies were performed by Despiau Associates on January 2019, 2018. A technical letter is included in the appendix.

Environmental

Various environmental studies were commended as part of the environmental review of the possible impacts of the project these were:

1. Cultural Resources Assessment Phase IA by Sharon Meléndez Ortiz, MA -Included

a. PR-453 is a tertiary road that was built between 1942 and 1957. Although this road section is more than 50 years old, our study suggests that it is not significant under the NRHP evaluation criteria. There are no historic properties or archaeological resources previously reported within the project area (Figure 3). However, during the site visit two drainage structures that are potentially eligible to the NRHP were identified. The proposed project activities will not have an adverse effect on the structures, nonetheless, it may be necessary to implement a Protection Plan in order to avoid indirect adverse effects to the historic properties. This plan may include the placement of protection barriers, annotations in the plans of the project and the implementation of an archaeological monitoring of the maintenance work on or near the cultural resources.

b. The repairs of the landslide and road damage on PR-453, km 12.7 in Quebradillas should have no adverse effect on historic properties, conditioned to the implementation of a Protection Plan of the historic structures that are located within the project area. The potential of finding additional archaeological resources during project activities is very low.

PR-453 Km. 12.7 Quebradillas, PR

Emergency Relief Program Page – 5

2. Habitat Categorization for DNER by Enviro - Logic -Pending

3. Tree Inventory and Mitigation Planting Plan by Enviro – Logic -Pending

4. Biological Assessment by Enviro – Logic -Included

a. According to the information available in the Data Base of the Natural Heritage Division of the Department on Natural and Environmental Resources, there are no rare, threatened, and endangered species at the project site. This information was corroborated with field observations at the site.

5. Survey to Determine the Presence of Asbestos and Lead by Zimmetry Environmental

Management, Corp. -Included

a. No suspected asbestos containing materials were identified during the inspection of the project.

b. The evaluation found that no painted surfaces were observed at the road on the date of the evaluation.

6. Environmental Assessment (FONSI) by Enlace Técnico -Pending

The studies are included in the appendix, the environmental document is in process. In this

Technical Report we base our analysis on the preliminary findings and conclusions of the environmental review.

Technical Solutions

Alternate 1

Under this alternate we propose to build a gabion retaining wall to stabilize the existing slope and prevent any further slippage of the roadway structure. In the area of the secondary landslide we propose to place a reno mattress along the base of the existing wall and in the area of the pipe outlet. This mattress will extend to protect the eroded area on one side.

The work in this section will require cold milling of the existing pavement, gabion wall, reno mattress, clearing and grubbing, fill and unclassified excavation for structures, construction of a fill embankment, guard rail, resetting of the proper highway cross slope, new pavement structure including base, subbase, bituminous base, and surface courses, relocation of PRASA and

PREPA utilities, thermoplastic paint, raised markers, reinstallation of highway kilometer markers, traffic sign and installation of a barbed wire fence.

The affected roadway section is approximately 80.00 meters.

PR-453 Km. 12.7 Quebradillas, PR

Emergency Relief Program Page – 11

Alternate 2

This alternate is similar to alternate 1 except we propose building a reinforced concrete cantilever retaining wall instead of a gabion wall.

The work in this section will require cold milling of the existing pavement, reinforced concrete cantilever wall, reno mattress, clearing and grubbing, fill and unclassified excavation for structures, construction of a fill embankment, guard rail, resetting of the proper highway cross slope, new pavement structure including base, subbase, bituminous base, and surface courses, relocation of PRASA and PREPA utilities, thermoplastic paint, raised markers, reinstallation of highway kilometer markers, traffic sign and installation of a barbed wire fence.

PR-453 Km. 12.7 Quebradillas, PR

Emergency Relief Program Page – 17

Alternate 3

This alternate is similar to alternates 1 and 2 except we propose building a mechanical stabilized earth wall (MSE) soil reinforcement system in the area of the landslide.

The work in this section will require cold milling of the existing pavement, MSE retaining wall, reno mattress, clearing and grubbing, fill and unclassified excavation for structures, construction of a fill embankment, guard rail, resetting of the proper highway cross slope, new pavement structure including base, subbase, bituminous base, and surface courses, relocation of PRASA and

PREPA utilities, thermoplastic paint, raised markers, reinstallation of highway kilometer markers, traffic sign and installation of a barbed wire fence.

PR-453 Km. 12.7 Quebradillas, PR

Emergency Relief Program Page – 23

Evaluation

An evaluation of the discussion above and the plans shows a similarity in the alternates. The basic solution is the use a retaining earth structure for the stabilization of the roadway embankment varying in the type of retaining structure which varies from a gabion wall, a reinforced concrete cantilever wall or a MSE wall reinforcement system. The management of the runoff to prevent the erosion at Sta 1+20 and at the outlet of the culvert in that area is the same.

As far as cost is concerned alternate 1 is the lowest with alternate 2 and 3 at a higher cost. It is important to note that the cost data was provided by the PRHTA and is based on small projects and projects done with some but relatively little competition. The cost data was adjusted 15% to account for inflation and the minimum wage on federally funded projects. The relative cost of the different alternates could change as more reliable data becomes available especially since the construction cost spread is $3,340.00.

Overall the three alternates are equally complex to build and have no major constructability issues.

From an environmental point of view all three alternates have the same impact.

Traffic management should be the same for all three alternates.

Duration of construction should be approximately equal for the three alternates.

Complexity of construction should be the same for all three alternates.

None of the alternates require the acquisition of right of way or construction easements.

In the evaluation table below, we show the results of this discussion in table form.

Evaluation Table

Item

WT

Alternate 1 Alternate 2 Alternate 3

Score WT Value Score WT Value Score WT Value

Cost 40 3.03 121.13 3.00 119.96 2.97 118.92

Constructability 20 3 60.00 3 60.00 3 60.00

Environmental 15 3 45.00 3 45.00 3 45.00

Traffic Management 10 3 30.00 3 30.00 3 30.00

Construction Duration 5 3 15.00 3 15.00 3 15.00

Solution Complexity 5 3 15.00 3 15.00 3 15.00

Land Acquisition 5 3 15.00 3 15.00 3 15.00

Totals 100 301.13 299.96 298.92

Scoring Rational 3 -Most favorable to 1 -Least favorable

Cost scoring is presented as a factor of the relative costs of the alternates

Highest scoring is the preferred alternate

PR-453 Km. 12.7 Quebradillas, PR

Emergency Relief Program Page – 24

Recommendations

A review of the finding in this report will show that the constructability, environmental, traffic management, construction period, complexity and land acquisition concerns are essentially the same for all the alternatives. The only differing item is the cost with alternate 1 being slightly less expensive to build. Taking into consideration the discussion on costs above that any differences in the unit cost data used may change the results of the standings in the Evaluation Table. Based on this evaluation of the alternatives and application of the various weighted factors as shown in the Evaluation Table shown above it is our recommendation that Alternate 1 be selected for development.

Roberto Rexach Cintron & Associates

Roberto L. Rexach Cintrón, PE

Principal

PR-453 Km. 12.7 Quebradillas, PR

Emergency Relief Program Page – 25

Appendix A

Geotechnical Investigation

PR-453 Km. 12.7 Quebradillas, PR

Emergency Relief Program Page – 32

Appendix B

Environmental

PR-453 Km. 12.7 Quebradillas, PR

Emergency Relief Program Page – 33

Appendix B-1

Cultural Resources Assessment Phase IA

By

Sharon Meléndez Ortiz, MA

PR-453 Km. 12.7 Quebradillas, PR

Emergency Relief Program Page – 54

Appendix B-2

Biological Assessment

Enviro – Logic

PR-453 Km. 12.7 Quebradillas, PR

Emergency Relief Program Page – 60

Appendix B-3

Survey to Determine the Presence of Asbestos by

Zimmetry Environmental Management, Corp.

PR-453 Km. 12.7 Quebradillas, PR

Emergency Relief Program Page – 68

Appendix B-3

Survey to Determine the Presence of Lead

Zimmetry Environmental Management, Corp

Project: ER-HWY-367 PR-453 Km. 12.7 Quebradillas, PR

Emergency Relief Program Page – 75

Appendix C

Opinions of Probable Cost

PR-453 Km. 12.7 Quebradillas, PR

Emergency Relief Program Page – 76

Calc. By: Mario Gonzalez Date: Feb-19

Project No. AC - 824544 Municipality: Quebradillas

ITEM No. SPEC. No. ITEMS OF WORK UNIT QUANTITY UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

1 151.00 Mobilization LS 1.00 10,000.00$ 10,000.00$

2 611.00 Field Office and Laboratory Month 3.00 4,200.00$ 12,600.00$

3 661.00 Project Funding Sign ( 16' x 8") Each 1.00 4,000.00$ 4,000.00$

4 638.00 Construction Signs SqM 19.00 275.00$ 5,225.00$

5 210.00 Silt Fence LnM 90.00 8.00$ 720.00$

6 638.00 Drums Each 50.00 100.00$ 5,000.00$

7 638.00 Temporary Conc. Barriers LnM 60.00 160.00$ 9,600.00$

8 0.00 Flag Men (2) Week 12.00 2,200.00$ 26,400.00$

9 202.00 Removal Structures and Obstructions LS 1.00 5,000.00$ 5,000.00$

10 203.00 Unclassified Excavation CuM 273.00 20.00$ 5,460.00$

11 614.00 Gabions CuM 165.00 400.00$ 66,000.00$

12 203.00 Borrow Class B CuM 30.00 35.00$ 1,050.00$

13 304.00 Aggregate Base Course CuM 32.00 55.00$ 1,760.00$

14 403.00 Cold Milling Bituminous Conc Pavement CuM 14.00 85.00$ 1,190.00$

15 401.00 HPM Bituminous B (75) 0 to 99 Tons 24.00 220.00$ 5,280.00$

16 401.00 HPM Bituminous S (75) 0 to 99 Tons 34.00 220.00$ 7,480.00$

17 606.00 Guardrail (Single Face) LnM 70.00 115.00$ 8,050.00$

18 618.00 Thermoplastic Pavt Marking (All Colors) LnM 270.00 7.00$ 1,890.00$

19 601.00 Class A Concrete CuM 0.00 650.00$ -$

20 301.00 Subbase Course CuM 80.00 35.00$ 2,800.00$

21 0.00 0.00 -$ -$

TOTALS SUBMITTED= 179,505.00$

Project: ER-HWY-369 Alternative #1

Preliminary Project Cost Estimate

PR-453 Km. 12.7 Quebradillas, PR

Emergency Relief Program Page – 77

Project No. AC - 824544 Municipality: Quebradillas

ITEM No. SPEC. No. ITEMS OF WORK UNIT QUANTITY UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

1 151.00 Mobilization LS 1.00 10,000.00$ 10,000.00$

2 611.00 Field Office and Laboratory Month 3.00 4,200.00$ 12,600.00$

3 661.00 Project Funding Sign ( 16' x 8") Each 1.00 4,000.00$ 4,000.00$

4 638.00 Construction Signs SqM 19.00 275.00$ 5,225.00$

5 210.00 Silt Fence LnM 90.00 8.00$ 720.00$

6 638.00 Drums Each 50.00 100.00$ 5,000.00$

7 638.00 Temporary Conc. Barriers LnM 60.00 160.00$ 9,600.00$

8 0.00 Flag Men (2) Week 12.00 2,200.00$ 26,400.00$

9 202.00 Removal Structures and Obstructions LS 1.00 5,000.00$ 5,000.00$

10 203.00 Unclassified Excavation CuM 196.00 20.00$ 3,920.00$

11 614.00 Gabions CuM 5.00 400.00$ 2,000.00$

12 203.00 Borrow Class B CuM 44.00 35.00$ 1,540.00$

13 304.00 Aggregate Base Course CuM 32.00 55.00$ 1,760.00$

14 403.00 Cold Milling Bituminous Conc Pavement CuM 14.00 85.00$ 1,190.00$

15 401.00 HPM Bituminous B (75) 0 to 99 Tons 24.00 220.00$ 5,280.00$

16 401.00 HPM Bituminous S (75) 0 to 99 Tons 34.00 220.00$ 7,480.00$

17 606.00 Guardrail (Single Face) LnM 70.00 115.00$ 8,050.00$

18 618.00 Thermoplastic Pavt Marking (All Colors) LnM 270.00 7.00$ 1,890.00$

19 601.00 Class A Concrete CuM 64.00 650.00$ 41,600.00$

20 602.00 Reinforcing Steel Lbs 12600.00 2.00$ 25,200.00$

21 301.00 Subbase Course CuM 80.00 35.00$ 2,800.00$

22 0.00 0.00 -$ -$

TOTALS SUBMITTED= 181,255.00$

Project: ER-HWY-369 Alternative #2

PR-453 Km. 12.7 Quebradillas, PR

Emergency Relief Program Page – 78

Project No. AC - 824544 Municipality: Quebradillas

ITEM No. SPEC. No. ITEMS OF WORK UNIT QUANTITY UNIT PRICE AMOUNT

1 151.00 Mobilization LS 1.00 10,000.00$ 10,000.00$

2 611.00 Field Office and Laboratory Month 3.00 4,200.00$ 12,600.00$

3 661.00 Project Funding Sign ( 16' x 8") Each 1.00 4,000.00$ 4,000.00$

4 638.00 Construction Signs SqM 19.00 275.00$ 5,225.00$

5 210.00 Silt Fence LnM 90.00 8.00$ 720.00$

6 638.00 Drums Each 50.00 100.00$ 5,000.00$

7 638.00 Temporary Conc. Barriers LnM 60.00 160.00$ 9,600.00$

8 0.00 Flag Men (2) Week 12.00 2,200.00$ 26,400.00$

9 202.00 Removal Structures and Obstructions LS 1.00 5,000.00$ 5,000.00$

10 203.00 Unclassified Excavation CuM 140.00 20.00$ 2,800.00$

11 614.00 Gabions CuM 5.00 400.00$ 2,000.00$

12 304.00 Aggregate Base Course CuM 32.00 55.00$ 1,760.00$

13 403.00 Cold Milling Bituminous Conc Pavement CuM 14.00 85.00$ 1,190.00$

14 401.00 HPM Bituminous B (75) 0 to 99 Tons 24.00 220.00$ 5,280.00$

15 401.00 HPM Bituminous S (75) 0 to 99 Tons 34.00 220.00$ 7,480.00$

16 606.00 Guardrail (Single Face) LnM 70.00 115.00$ 8,050.00$

17 618.00 Thermoplastic Pavt Marking (All Colors) LnM 270.00 7.00$ 1,890.00$

18 0.00 Reinforced Earth CuM 140.00 500.00$ 70,000.00$

19 301.00 Subbase Course CuM 80.00 35.00$ 2,800.00$

20 203.00 Borrow Class B CuM 30.00 35.00$ 1,050.00$

TOTALS SUBMITTED= 182,845.00$

Project: ER-HWY-369 Alternative #3