We would like a electronic copy of the project cross sections. 

• Cross sections are available as of 01/27/05 and can be downloaded for printing from the link above at any local printing firm or on your own printing equipment: 

Question=What are the limits of excavation below the footing and leveling
pad between the following stations:
315+23 to 315+38
315+38 to 318+45

• For the excavation limits, please refer to the detail titled "Limits of Excavation and Backfill Profile Diagram for RW No. 8 (Br. No. 57-1170M)" on Plan Sheet No. 558. The limits of excavation below the bottom of footing or leveling pad are:

Question = What are the specified strengths for the CIDH piles for the NB/SB ON/OFF ramps.

All CIDH piles would need to have a 28MPa specified strength for each bridge.
For NB/SB ON/OFF ramps see Section 49-4.01, "Description," of the Standard Specifications which states:  "Concrete filling for cast-in-place concrete piles is designated by compressive strength and shall have a minimum 28-day compressive strength of 25MPa.
For the Main Access ramp see Plan Sheet 337 with CIDH (28 MPa at 28 days). 

Question=Is there an addenda pending for this project and will it change/delay the bid date?

•  Please refer to Addendum No. 1.

Question=Upon the review of the rebar cages for the CIDH piles and Column Cages (which embed approx. 12' to 17' feet down in the piles) we have noted some potential problems related to the clear rebar spacing windows.

Can and will the Column rebar cage "window" spacing be modified to meet Caltrans required design standard of 5"x5" minimum?  The column cage at Bent 1 & Bents 5 thru 7 only have 4 1/4" clearance between the vertical bars.  Since this cage is embeded down in the CIDH pile and will have to be poured with the pile, it may effect the concrete flowability through this cage before it even reaches the outter CIDH cage. 
 

• Column cage spacing at Bent 1 & Bents 5 thru 7  meet minimum clearance and spacing. See Section 49-4.01, "Description," of the Standard Specifications. 

•  The CIDH pile cage at Bent 1 meet minimum bar spacing. 

Bents 2 & 3 column cages meet minimum clearance and spacing.

Question=The current contract plan design of the connection of the column rebar cages to the CIDH piles is cumbersome, difficult, and unsafe to the traveling public.

With no splices allowed in the column cages, the cages will all have to be set full height, after the CIDH pile cage is first set and supported at grade.  This task will be difficult, if not impossible to complete and pour, all in 1-day, especially if these shafts are constructed utilizing slurry. 
 

•  No allowable construction joints are shown on the plans for the CIDH concrete piling.  Bid opening is March 3, 2005.  Please bid in conformance with current bid documents.

 

Also, we request the possibility (in conjuction with the above alternate C.J.) of allowing the isolation casing being extended to a depth of 3'-0" (min.) past the tip elevation of the column cage to allow the proposed alternate C.J. as well as a clean C.J. to produce a quality shaft. 
 

• Isolation casing extensions are not shown on the plans.   Please bid in conformance with current bid documents. 

Section 10-1.45 “Piling,” of the Special Provisions indicates that “Acceptance tests of the concrete will be made by the Engineer…” and “Tests will included gamma-gamma logging.”  Pursuant to section 6-3.01 of the Standard Specifications, “…all tests shall be performed in accordance with the methods used by the Department of Transportation…”, however we are unable to locate Caltrans’ defined test method for gamma-gamma logging.  Accordingly, please provide the following information:

· Defined procedures for gamma-gamma logging (Cal Test number);
· Defined procedures for interpretation of gamma-gamma logging results;
· Defined procedures for re-test and interpretation of gamma-gamma logging.
 

• Information regarding gamma-gamma logging procedures can be obtained at the following website: http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/esc/geotech/gammaprocedure.pdf

 

 
 
 

Additional information regarding gamma-gamma logging is available at the following websites: 
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/esc/geotech/ft/gamma.htm
http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/esc/geotech/gg/geophysics2002/ggl_geophysics.pdf

Question=SHOULD THE REMOVABLE BOLLARDS BE FABRICATED (GALVANIZED STEEL)PER THE DETAILS SHOWN ON THE PLANS.OR ARE THE TO BE CAST IRON AND POWDER COATED PER THE SPECIAL PROVISIONS.

• Please bid per the contract documents.

Question=Under CIDH piles...aprroixmately paragraph 7 states; "If the drilling for any cast-in-drilled-concrete pile cannot be completed in the same shift, the Contractor will be required to keep the drilled hole 'dry' by pumping methods until drilling starts again on next shift"

Please clarify...does this apply to the shaft only when it is completely drilled to specified tip elevation or during the intial start (at grade) throughout the entire drilling and until poured?
Contractor Interpretation=We assume this does not apply for shafts constructed utilizing synthetic polymer!
 

• Please see Sections 49-4.01 "Description," and  Section 49-4.03, "Drilled Holes," of the Standard Specifications.

Question=Q: What size are the sizes of the luminair arms.

• As stated per STD plans ES-6A and ES-6H.

• Locations will be given when final plans are delivered for Phase III and IV submittals.

• Conduit cost per meter. All types of methods are included per SSP and Standard Specifications. Exact location and method will be shown on final plans.

• Final plans will show exact contents in conduit.

• Same answer see above.

• Stated in SSP under Section 10-3, Signal,Lighting and Electrical Systems, Cost      Break_Down, 3. Fiber Optic Communication System (see table).

Question=Can the Cut-off elev. be lowered to match the bottom of the Isolation casing?
This would allow the CIDH pile to be poured first and the Isolation casing set after by the GC.
 

• Bid opening is  March 3, 2005.  Please bid in conformance with current bid documents.

Question=This item does not seem to have a description of materials, of usage, or size related to it in the various referenced construction documents.
 

• In the 1999 Standard Specifications, Section 20-5.03F, "Valves and Valve Boxes", (page 204) states that when check valves aren't shown on the plans and there is a contract item for them in the, their location shall be directed by the Engineer. 

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

When the special provisions do not contain any additional information regarding the check valves to be used, the section of the Standard Specifications cited above provides only  the  materials requirement for the check valves. 
The sizes vary between 3/4" and 1 1/2" in  (20mm and 40mm).
 

Question=Item 159 Final Pay Quantity is 2513 Meters. This is over what is shown on the contract drawings. 

Is the 575 meters of Type 732 Mod rail shown on sheet 228 actually supposed to be Type 732A as first shown on sheet 231?
 

• Concrete Barrier (Type 732 Modified) is used on the bridge decks, approach slabs, or mechanically stabilized embankment barrier slabs, with traffic adjacent. Concrete Barrier (Type 732 A Modified) is used on top of retaining walls with traffic adjacent. Refer to the barrier details in the Contract Plans. 

Question=Will Foundation Recommendations be made available for the Bridges
with CIDH Piling?
 

• Foundation Recommendations and Foundation Reviews are available within the two Information Handout packages for bidders and non-bidders.

See Section 5-1.17, "Project Information," (page 104) of the Special Provisions and Addendum No. 1 dated February 18, 2005 for information included in the Information Handout.

1.  The summary of Quantity Sheets on pages 228 and 229 show 189m of Type KA26A rail with tubularhandrail on wall No. 14L, but sheet 245 shows a type 732A modifiedrail on top of wall 14L. Plaese clarify.
 

• Concrete Barrier (Type KA26A) is used on top of retaining walls with bicycle and/or pedestrian traffic adjacent.  Refer to the barrier details in the Contract Plans.

• Please refer to the response to Bidder's Inquiry #13. 

 

Question=1- Plan sheets 249 through 251 appear to have concrete barrier details similar to the "Structural" final design plans , sheets 518 through 561. The barrier shown on structural plans appear to agree with "Final Pay" quantities of Items 155 and 156. Request confirmation that "Final Pay" Items will be adjusted if and when the other Retaining wall designs are finalized and the required barrier types are identified.
2- Layout plan sheets 19 through 21 have many refrences to Retaining walls, e.g. " End RW 5 and 6". The structural, detail plans are numbered diffrently. Provide consistent identification to permit accurate assesment of the details required. 

• Please refer to the response to Bidder's Inquiry #13 and bid in conformance with current bid documents.