MEETING MINUTES ND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION. Date: 02/10/2015 Time: 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM Location: Comfort Inn - Bismarck

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1 MEETING MINUTES ND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Title of Meeting: NDDOT Specification Committee Meeting Date: 02/10/2015 Time: 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM Location: Comfort Inn - Bismarck Attendees: See Appendix A Introductions Justin Ramsey: Spec Books The specification re-write has been completed and copies of the 2014 North Dakota Department of Transportation (NDDOT) Specification Books are available at for purchase at: If any printing issues relating wrongly bound books or damages during shipping contact the Environmental and Technical Services Division of the NDDOT and make them aware. Supplemental Specifications The goal is to only have one set of Supplemental Specifications to go out in October. This is in an effort to streamline the bidding and construction efforts. In order to accomplish this goal any changes to the Specifications would need to be completed by June. Cassandra Torstenson: Changes in Material Source Approvals A proposal has been presented to USFWS to list the Northern Long-Eared Bat (See Appendix B). The Decision on listing will be sometime in April of Currently there has been no determination as to whether the Bat will become an Endangered or a Threatened Species. This proposed listing will change the area of avoidance and create a new Environmental Commitment on Certificates of Approval for material source approvals. Bat surveys can only be conducted by a qualified biologist. Kevin Shelley from USFWS contact information is provided on the in Appendix A for questions relating to the bats. She discussed how species become listed as an Endangered or Threatened Species. There are two butterfly species that have become listed and will affect areas of avoidance. The Dakota Skipper is listed as threatened and the Poweshiek Skipperling as endangered. 1

2 She reminded all holders of Material Source Approvals to review their documentation and check to see if any new exclusion areas exist due to the presence of any newly listed endangered or threatened species onsite. Mike Kisse Noxious Weeds County Weed Boards have contacted the NDDOT with concerns about the spread of noxious weeds. They do have the authority to shut a project down. A discussion was had about if the Spec Book should include inspected weed free. Cass County is coordinating with other locations to inspect the materials coming into the county. The County Weed Boards would like to have fields used for mulch that are going to be used for construction to be walked by a County Weed Inspector and treated or avoided before incorporation into the project. Currently there is nothing other than the word of mouth from the supplier that erosion control materials are weed free. Dan Currier Short Term Pavement Marking (Appendix C) A discussion was held about why the requirements from Section D.3.d (2008 Specs) was removed from the 2014 Spec Book. The temperature requirements in the 2008 Specs proved useful. The decision was to reincorporate the requirements into the 2014 Specs rewriting for the new voice and mood. Scott Whaley Geogrid Installation (Appendix D) A discussion was had about how the requirements for overlay and pinning were determined. Scott stated that Tensar does not require the 30 inch overlap or the pinning required by Section 709 Geosynthetics. He stated that the Tensar requirement have an overlap of between 12 and 24 inches depending on the subgrade conditions. The lack of experience by NDDOT staff and contractors with the products and the inconsistency with suppliers in the overlap and pinning led to those requirements being determined. The goal of the requirement was to allow for multiple manufacturers and not a sole source. There is a potential to look at different overlap requirements for different levels example subgrade and base. Al Holleman Erosion Control Blanket (ECB) Installation (Appendix E) The excavation and trenching Detail A in Drawing D shows a 1 foot trench. Changing from a 1 foot trench to the Erosion Control Technology Council (ECTC) recommended 6 inch can speed up installation and improve performance of the ECB. The compaction of the 1 foot deep trench after the installation of the ECB can be an issue. The width of 1 foot is wider than any trencher used for this application. The location of the trench along the slope may also be causing performance issues of the ECB. NDDOT is going to look at modifying the trench detail to improve the performance of the ECB. 2

3 Justin Ramsey Future Meetings A discussion was had as to the meeting schedule. The past schedule used to be quarterly meetings. Justin has been looking at moving to a 3 meeting format with the first meeting being in February/March, a second meeting in July, and the third meeting in October/November. This would allow for topic to be placed on the agenda between meetings and relate back to the Supplemental Specifications time frame discussed above (Appendix F). Mark Dougherty proposed looking at small groups with specialists of the specific sections to deal with those topics. This would allow for the individuals with the knowledge and concern with a specific section to have a discussion outside of the larger group. He also proposed looking at a twice a year schedule with the first meeting in February/March and a second meeting in July. Justin and Mark are going to compare proposed meeting time frames. Innovative Technologies Program The NDDOT has started an Innovative Technologies Program to develop ways to improve the department and look at new ideas. This is separate from the Spec Committee and there will be a website available beginning in March. Denise Spanjer DBE Special Provision (SP) There has been a rewrite of the DBE SP to match the voice and mood of the 2014 Spec Book. No forms will be included in this SP due to changes in forms. Form numbers will be included. Old forms will not be accepted by the Civil Rights office. Brad Maier Straw Mulch It has been hard to get straw mulch that meets the requirement in Section C Straw Mulch of 8 inch in length. The farming equipment has been producing straw that is shorter in length than the 8 inch requirement. The districts are aware of this and the Contractors and the field have increased the application rates of Tons/Acre to get the coverage. Matt Sperry Erosion Control and The NDDOT has begun Erosion Control Training. North Dakota Department of Health (NDDoH) Permits There are drafts open for comment on the NDDoH website for Construction and Industrial Sites. The NDDoH currently has drafts of the Construction General Permit available on their website. The comment period ends on February 21, There are some things that are in the draft permit that could affect construction if implemented as shown in the draft. One of those items is that exposed soil be stabilized within 7 days. The comment period on the Industrial Stormwater Permit begins on February 9, 2015 and will end on March 11, All of these permits are closer to matching the Environmental Protection Agency requirements for stormwater. One thing that has changed in every permit is the penalty schedule for noncompliance. 3

4 Matt also reminded everyone that just because it is winter does not mean that monitoring of open construction sites has ended. The fluctuation in temperature and recent rains may mean that sites need to be inspected. Clayton Schumaker Glass Beads There is a requirement that glass beads be tested according to EPA 3052 Test 6010 B or 6010 C for heavy metals this came out of MAP 21. Most beads are pretested using a different method, the EPA test takes longer and it is toxic. Quality in Concrete Paving There will be a Quality in Concrete Paving seminar in Bismarck on April 15 th and 16 th. The class size is limited to 30 people. Those interested in attending should let Clayton or Dave Sethre at NDRMCPA know. Department Optioned Gravel There has been a change in the fee for storage of material past 180 days after the completion of pit operations. That fee has been increased to $600 from $200. Density in Asphalt Pavement Research was conducted on longitudinal joint density last summer. The testing relating to just joint density expanded to mat density. There are long term performance issues being noticed in the pavements. A group will be put together to look at updating the specifications for density. 4

5 Appendix A

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8 Appendix B

9 Material Source Northern Long Eared Bat Purpose: With the proposed listing (April 2015) of the Northern Long Eared Bat to the Threatened and Endangered Species list, the United States Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) has recommended areas with trees be protected on material source sites. The below is guidance for how to handle trees as they relate to material source. TREES Existing Permanent Avoidance Areas These types of areas have permanent avoidance indicated on the Certificate of Approval (COA): riparian areas natural wooded areas wooded draws New Seasonal (Temporary) Avoidance Areas These types of areas have not previously received protection, however, with the proposed listing of the Northern Long Eared Bat, these areas may receive a seasonal avoidance area on the COA: Any man planted tree rows Lone trees Fence row with trees Certificates of Approval (COA) Conditions Section The following condition was drafted with the USFWS as a conservation measure for the purpose of protecting the Northern Long Eared Bat. In compliance with the Endangered Species Act, trees indicated with a timing restriction on Material Source Certificates of Approval may not be removed from April 1 September 30. Trees and shrubs with a diameter at breast height (DBH) of less than 3 inches may be removed from the Material Source site at any time. Stands of trees indicated as permanent avoidance areas must remain. Removal of Trees During Roosting Season: The following steps must be completed before removal of trees from a timing restriction zone between April 1 September 30. All rules under the Endangered Species Act must be followed. USFWS processes must be followed. A few examples of what may be requested from USFWS: o Qualified Bat Survey o Habitat Conservation Plan (reduce, avoid, minimize, mitigate) o Application for an incidental take permit (cannot take without a permit) Please contact Kevin Shelley, USFWS Bismarck for more information NDDOT Reporting Requirement Any removal of trees in timing restriction zones must be documented with the NDDOT Material Source Coordinator. The following information is required to be reported: date of removal, contact person, company information, description of trees removed, and correspondence with USFWS.

10 Appendix C

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19 Appendix D

20 AGC SPECIFICATIONS COMMITTEE ISSUES SUBMITTAL FORM Date Submitted 1/2/2015 Submitted By Scott Whaley - Tensar Spec Committee Meeting Date 2/10/2015 AGC Spec Committee Issue Number AGC DOT Specification Section Number: C: Construction Requirements - Geosynthetic Geogrid (Type G) Background Information: (include past project experiences as illustration, if possible) Installation requirements in Section C pertaining to pinning, tying and overlapping make installation unnecessarily difficult and costly to construct in typical roadway applications. The Tensar (geogrid manufacturer) installation guide suggests only limited use of pins and ties, while the specification requires extensive use. Excessive pins and ties complicate material placement, limit contractor ability to make adjustments during geogrid and fill placement, and can cause wrinkling that is otherwise avoidable. Manufacturer guidelines contain different overlap and tie recommendations for distinct geogrid applications: subgrade improvement and aggregate base reinforcement. The minimum overlap requirement of 30 inches required by the specification is excessive for all but the most extreme subgrade improvement applications. Manufacturer guidelines for typical base reinforcement applications recommend inches overlap. The excessive overlap requirement can complicate placement, reduce contractor flexibility, and unnecessarily increase cost. Manufacturer recommends mechanically tying overlaps only as needed to maintain minimum overlap during fill placement. No tying of longitudinal overlaps and minimal tying of transverse overlaps are typical in base reinforcement applications; however, the specification requires ties at 15 ft intervals on longitudinal overlaps and 3 ft intervals on transverse overlaps. Suggested Solution: Perform geogrid installation and cover material placement in accordance with published manufacturer guidelines. Unroll geogrid parallel to the centerline of the road. Do not drag the geogrid across the underlying material. Use geogrid widths that produce overlaps of parallel rolls at the centerline and at the 1

21 shoulders and so that no overlaps are required along wheel paths. At all splices and joints, overlap the geogrid a minimum of 30 inches in subgrade improvement applications (CBR less than 2.0) and 18 inches in base reinforcement applications (CBR greater than 2.0). Construct joints at the end of a roll so the previous roll laps over the subsequent roll in the direction of the cover material placement. Geogrid may be mechanically tied with plastic or metal ties as needed to maintain minimum overlap during fill placement. Pins, staples or small piles of aggregate may be used as needed to maintain geogrid position prior to placement of cover material. Stagger end overlaps at least 10 feet from other end overlaps in parallel rolls. On curves, the geogrid may be cut or the overlap may be increased to conform to the curves. Patch damaged areas of geogrid. Place a patch that overlaps the damaged area by 36 inches on all sides. Mechanically tie the patch to the underlying grid. Place the first lift of material over geogrid installed on subgrade to a depth of 10 inches of loose material. Place the first lift of material over geogrid installed on aggregate base to a depth of 6 inches of loose material. Use low ground pressure equipment to spread the initial lift of material. If rutting occurs, fill the ruts with additional material before placing the subsequent lift. Do not blade out ruts. Do not turn construction equipment on the first layer of material. Do not operate tracked equipment directly on geogrid without at least 6 inches of cover material in place. Actions to Date: Tensar representative Scott Whaley has discussed with NDDOT representatives TJ Murphy and Tom Bold. 2

22 Appendix E

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34 Appendix F

35 October 1 st Bidding Season begins for following year s construction October/November Specification Committee Meeting for items that may need to be placed on the NDDOT Coordinator s Conference agenda November/December NDDOT Coordinator s Conference is held January/February Management directions on CoorCon items are issued. February/March Specification Committee Meeting to review CoorCon items. June Supplemental Specifications will be approved so that changes can be made for projects bid after October 1 July Plan review for October bids August Plan delivery for October bids. July Specification Committee Meeting to review changes Supplemental Specifications October 1 st Bidding Season begins for following year s construction

36 MEETING AGENDA ND DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION Title of Meeting: NDDOT Specification Committee Meeting Date: 02/10/2015 Time: 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM Location: Comfort Inn - Bismarck Meeting Agenda item(s): - Specification re-write update o It s Done!!! o Books are available for ordering o Supplemental Specifications will be issued for October 2015 bid openings - Material Source Approvals Cassandra Torstenson o New NDDOT guidance on Material Source Approvals and the Northern Long-Eared Bat - Noxious Weeds Mike Kisse o Certification/inspection for seeding, sodding, mulch, and fiber rolls o Gravel pits - Short Term Pavement Marking Type R Ken Russel/Dan Currier o See attachement - Geogrid Installation Scott Whaley o See attachement - Future Meeting Schedule - New Items & Discussion 1