SPECIAL NOTICE TO POTENTIAL BIDDERS
Date: September 20, 2019
Project Name: Cripple Creek Pit Highwall Reclamation Project
Project Number: 52959-3
The Department of Natural Resources (DNR) hereby notifies potential bidders that information to assist in preparing bids is available. Interested bidders are encouraged to visit the project site prior to the onset of winter conditions, as the access is unmaintained. See information at the following: http://dnr.alaska.gov/parks/designconstruct/bidadvert/SpecialNotice_CrippleCreek.pdf
Location and Access: The Cripple Creek Pit is located approximately 9 ½ miles east of Healy, AK along Healy Creek Road (see attached map). The road is unmaintained, but passable by regular 2-wheel drive vehicles. Continue along the dirt road until crossing a small bridge and arriving at a locked gate near Suntrana Creek.
Arrangements for a gate key can be made by contacting Usibelli Coal Mine's front office, (907) 683-2226, or representatives of the Department of Natural Resources.
Follow the main dirt road for additional 2 1/2 miles past Suntrana Creek until arriving at the large bridge which crosses Healy Creek. Cross the bridge and follow the road until arriving at Cripple Creek. An ATV is recommended to visit the site as there is no bridge or culvert at Cripple Creek. After crossing Cripple Creek follow the road for approximately 2 miles until arriving at the far east end of the pit.
Timeline for Bidding and Construction: The project is planned to be put out to bid in early February with the bid opening in mid-March. Construction may begin once the low bidder is selected and all bid documents and the Storm Water Pollution Prevention Plan (SWPPP) have been submitted and accepted by the DNR. Given the short construction season in interior Alaska this project may require two field seasons to complete.
Scope of Project: This reclamation project will re-slope a vertical highwall which is 120 to 140 vertical feet (see attached photos). The entire highwall is approximately 3,800 feet long, however due funding the project will be completed in 2 phases with separate contracts for each phase. The first phase will be approximately half the length of the pit. A final design is not yet complete, but in general the vegetation and topsoil from above the highwall will be cleared and grubbed and stockpiled for future use. The highwall will be laid back using a technique called geomorphic reclamation. Bidders are encouraged to study the principles of geomorphic reclamation prior to submitting bids. It may be necessary for dozers and other large equipment to be equipped with GPS for highly accurate grade control. It will also be necessary to channelize a series of groundwater seeps and surface flows in to rock lined drainage channels and underdrains to minimize erosion potential. Once final grade has been achieved, the slopes will need to be revegetated using the salvaged topsoil. A grass seed mixture will need to be applied by hand, aerial, or hydroseed method to achieve a 70% ground cover as required by the SWPPP.
Contact Information:
Justin Ireys (907) 269-8603 justin.ireys@alaska.gov | Roger Allely (907) 269-8644 roger.allely@alaska.gov | Regan Brudie (907) 269-8553 regan.brudie@alaska.gov |