Questions and Answers

Page 139 of the proposal specifies a maximum aggregate size of 0.75" for the asphalt base. However, the bid item listed is CL2 ASPH BASE 1.0D PG64-22, which is referenced again on Page 142. Could the Department clarify which aggregate size is correct?

The maximum size aggregate for the base course is 1.00”. The bid item is correct. An addendum will be issued to correct the proposal pages.

Regarding the recent revision related to transformer bases, could the Department provide a drawing or specification for the door lock assembly so it can be shared with our manufacturer?

A specific detail drawing is not available. However, the following link provides information on the type of lock assembly typically used by the Department: https://lockdowninc.com/products/lightpolelock/

Would the Department provide typical sections for the temporary pavements?

Typical Sections for the temporary pavement widening are shown on the MOT sheets. The minimum pavement design required for temporary widening will be: 1.5” Class 2 Asphalt Surface 0.38D PG 64-22, 3.0” Class 2 Asphalt Base 1.00D PG64-22, 3.0” Class 2 Asphalt Base 1.00D PG 64-22, and 6.0” Crushed Stone Base.

Will the Department coordinate traffic closures and etcetera on other significant nearby projects, such as River Road and Zorn Avenue/I-71 Interchange, to minimize traffic impacts to this project?

Every effort will be made to coordinate traffic control among all the projects. The Department will not impose restrictions on other projects solely to accommodate this project.

Will material that is used for wedging drop offs be paid for?

The Department will measure and pay for any Crushed Stone Base used for wedging drop-offs that is also subsequently used for, and final placement is within, the proposed 9-inch layer of Crushed Stone Base within the Widening & Full Depth Shoulders areas. The Department will NOT pay for any Crushed Stone Base or any other material that is only used for wedging drop-offs.

Would the Department allow nightly full closures of the I-71 SB ramp to I-264 WB ramp and I-71 NB to safely perform overhead bridge construction activities? 

The Department will allow a total of five (5) nightly closures of the ramps beneath the bridge: two (2) nights for removal, one (1) for beam setting, and two (2) for concrete pours (deck and wall). The Contractor must submit a detailed detour signing plan for approval, which may be extensive. The closure shall begin no earlier than 8:00 pm and be completely removed from the roadway by 6:00 am. All times are local time. The disincentive schedule listed in note 18 on plan sheet R164 will apply to these closures.

Are turn lanes required to be maintained throughout the project, or is maintaining two through lanes in each direction sufficient?

Turn lanes should be maintained throughout the project as shown on the Maintenance of Traffic plan sheets, unless otherwise approved by the Engineer. There are certain phases when certain turning lanes will be closed (for example, the turn lanes for traffic turning from Athens-Boonesboro onto Aphids Way will be closed while Aphids Way is closed for reconstructing Aphids Way in Phases 1 & 2). See the Maintenance of Traffic plan sheets for other instances of turn lanes that may be closed during specific traffic control phases. There may be other times when a short-term closure of a specific turn lane may be allowed to perform specific work. Such closures shall be coordinated with, and approved by, the Engineer.

Can the Department provide existing structure plans?

Yes. The existing plans have been posted in Project Related Information.

Is the new joint set at the same elevation as the asphalt or the original bridge deck?

The new joint is set at same elevation as the asphalt/overlay.

How will removal of existing striping be paid?

As noted on proposal page 272 of 605, pavement marking removal will be incidental to the Maintain & Control Traffic bid item. The exception to this will be the turn lane arrows along the Squires Road approach. Squires Road was recently resurfaced and the turn arrows along Squires Road may need to be updated to match the final RCUT design. As noted on proposal page 307 of 605, a quantity for Pavement Marking Removal has been included to remove the existing turn lane markings along Squires Road and replace them as shown on the RCUT Pavement Markings plan sheet.

On page 16 of the proposal, there is a special note for Shoulder Preparation.  In this note, it states the intent is to prepare the shoulders for the shoulder resurfacing. Will the Department require the Contractor to build up shoulder?

The Special Note for Shoulder Preparation on page 16 of the proposal was included in error and does not apply to this project.

At cross section Station 5132+50 Rt., it appears rock removal and excavation will be required behind the wall for construction of the moment slab and wall. These items are not shown in the cross sections. Additionally, backfill will be necessary behind the wall, and there is a ditch referenced that lacks detail. Can applicable details, quantities, and pay items for this work be provided?

The rock behind the wall will need to be removed by continuing the 0.25:1 presplit to the bottom of subgrade and will be paid for under the unit cost bid for Roadway Excavation (bid code 02200). Backfill will be paid as Granular Embankment (bid code 02223) behind the wall or a similar aggregate size can be utilized if agreed to by the Engineer. The ditch at the top of the backfill shall be a minimum of six inches below the top of the wall and graded to drain. Note: the roadway excavation quantities for this were already calculated as part of the cross section although not shown that way. The overall quantity not shown is miniscule compared to the total excavation on the project.

Will the Department pay for additional MOT needed to process the work per current phasing? For example, additional temp barrier wall required for bore pit construction and construction of center pier at the US 42 bridge.

If a bid item is in the contract and it is deemed necessary by the Engineer for construction operations, the Department will pay for said items, barrier wall, signs, etc.

Is the unsuitable excavation item a calculated quantity for undercut that will take place on the project or is the item included to cover any potential undercuts in the earthwork phase?

The geotechnical report for the project area has been posted in Project Related Information. Unsuitable excavation will only be used in areas where the subgrade fails to pass a proof roll under the proposed pavements.

The borrow excavation bid item quantity appears to be substantially low. Can additional earthwork calculation information or clarification be provided?

The Engineer completed the earthwork calculations in CAD by comparing the finished grade surface to the existing surface. The proposed pavement section was deducted from this amount. Subsequently, the topsoil CY to be placed was deducted from the volumetric amount as well. Borrow excavation will be material needed from OUTSIDE the proposed project limits.

Can asphalt depths be provided for the asphalt pavement removal bid item?

The Contractor shall refer to the geotechnical report for boring information identifying the depths of the asphalt pavement section. The Contractor shall also refer to the project plans for the final depth of pavement removal.

Due to the nature of the work and blasting (e.g., presplitting), it is anticipated that insufficient appropriately sized material will be available for rock roadbed at the appropriate time considering there is limited space on-site to process the material. Will the Department compensate for any resulting shortage under the current pay item for Crushed Aggregate No. 2?

If there is a shortage of suitable material due to blasting and on-site constraints, the Department will address it through a change order. Any necessary quantity of Crushed Aggregate No. 2 beyond what is available from site-generated material will be paid at the contract unit bid price.

The proposed sanitary sewer lines for the project appear to be gravity sewer lines, however the bid item references force main. Can the Department clarify the sanitary sewer line bid items?

The sanitary sewer lines are gravity sewer lines. An addendum will be issued to revise the bid items.

How will the steel encasement for the signal poles be paid?

The steel encasement for the signal poles is incidental to the pole base.

Who will be responsible for the maintenance of lighting during the project? 

The Contractor shall coordinate with the local utility on maintaining the utility owned roadway lighting.

Can the Department add clarification to the Temp Signal 2 Phase bid item?

There is a total quantity of 6 EACH of the bid item Temp Signal 2 Phase and there are two different purposes for the Temp Signal 2 Phase bid item. One purpose is for the potential use at the existing and proposed signalized intersections during construction to aid with Maintenance of Traffic IF the permanent mast arm signals are not available for installation. A quantity of 5 EACH is listed within the Traffic Signal Estimate of Quantities on proposal page 396 of 605 and on this same page, under the heading MOT Temp Signal Requirements, there are notes that cover these Temp Signals. Since these 5 Temp Signals will only have the potential to be used at the existing and proposed signalized intersections while waiting for the permanent mast arm signals to be completed, there should not be any reason for relocating these Temp Signals. The second purpose for the Temp Signal 2 Phase bid item is for the use of a portal Temp Signal 2 Phase during the construction of the tie-in of the realigned Aphids Way. During the tie-in construction, one lane of alternating traffic will have to be utilized, so a quantity of 1 EACH of the bid item Temp Signal 2 Phase has been established under the Roadway category to assist with Maintenance of Traffic during this work. There could be other uses for the portal Temp Signal 2 Phase; however, the portal Temp Signal 2 Phase shall only be measured once for payment, regardless of how many times the portable Temp Signal 2 Phase is set, reset, removed, and/or relocated during the duration of the project.