SCOPE AND BACKGROUND: Through this Request for Proposal (RFP) the Agency of Natural Resources, Department of Forests, Parks and Recreation (hereinafter the “State”) is seeking to establish contracts with one or more companies that can provide Design, Permitting, Bidding and Construction Phase services for three Forestry road projects for which bridge/culverts at water crossings were damaged or destroyed during the July 2024 Flooding. Site specifics are as follows (see also attached Photo Logs and Location Maps): 1) Cottonbrook Road, Mansfield State Forest (VAST Trail 100, Bridge 4, Waterbury)- The existing MultiPlate Arch Culvert ( ~14’H X 25’W X 35’L) at the drainage crossing collapsed during July 2024 when water flow got behind the culvert. This structure, built in 1974, had survived the July 2023 heavy rain event and had been considered appropriately sized until failure in 2024. A temporary wood-deck bridge on twin steel I-Beams at 6’ C-C set into the existing earthen side slopes has been placed, appropriate only for light traffic. In addition, the VAST Trail 100, Bridge 3 just down the forestry road from the main crossing project has a compromised concrete block abutment that requires evaluation and a plan developed for replacement or repair. 2) Butterfield Loop Bridge off Gore Road, Groton State Forest- An existing wood-framed deck set on steel I-Beams (16’ Span) supported by a 4-tiered concrete waste block system set into the streambed with heavy stone abutments was significantly compromised by scour of the streambed and erosion of upstream armoring. This bridge span is considered significantly undersized based on bank full width observations and bridge location/orientation related to upstream and downstream flow paths may need to be significantly altered. The Gore Road side support/abutment location may remain the same but other side moved to create adequate span and orientation for flow. Streambed restoration/hydraulic gradeline alterations at this location are a critical part of the design work anticipated. 3) South Branch Road and Bridge Crossing S. Branch of Wells River, Groton State Forest- The existing wood-decked bridge set on steel I-beams (30-35’ span) supported by angled tiered concrete waste blocks on one end and heavy rip rap on other end sits at a 60 degree bend in the river resulting in high risk of failure during flood events. In the 2024 and previous events, the river has jumped out of the bridge channel with heavy flow following the ditchline then longitudinally along South Branch Road creating extensive damage along a significant length of the road surface. Alterations to the streambed orientation at bridge approach is considered desirable. Private property boundaries in close proximity to the bridge increase complexity for a solution at this location. Project designs for each of these projects are to be funded via reimbursement by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). Detailed Scope of Engineering Services requested is provided in Attachment A.
