Contractor's System Project Question and Answer Forum

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Submitted: Friday 29-MAY-2026 11:51 AM
Company: Riverside Contracting Inc.
Contact: Estimating
Can MDT post the design files, mass diagram, dirt runs, and any additional geotechnical information.
Answer
Submitted: Monday 01-JUN-2026 02:50 PM
The design files for the requested project are posted here:  DESIGN FILES
The requested files do not represent the staked project, but are only design files.  The Department cannot guarantee the accuracy of the electronic data, particularly as it may be called up by your computer, nor does any data in these files supersede the data in the contract documents.
In addition, the Department will not make any revisions to the electronic files pertaining to the staked project, change ordered work, or changes that are made during construction to fit field conditions.

Linked are PDF Files of the available project alignment and/or structures geotechnical report(s), geotechnical report supplements, and geotechnical laboratory summaries. There is remaining geotechnical information that is voluminous and very difficult to compile in a concise manner. Contractors are welcome to come to MDT Headquarters to inspect rock samples taken for the project that are stored here or to look through the complete set of Geotechnical field investigation notes, laboratory testing, analytical, or other data in our project files. It should be noted that the project may have undergone significant changes during the design process after the original geotechnical report and supplements were issued. Thus, some of the information contained in these documents may be out of date or not applicable with regard to the advertised project. Some of the changes include, but are not limited to: Project splits (for funding, ROW issues, etc.) alignment and grade changes; and changes due to environmental factors (sensitive areas, etc.). The documents can be found at the following link: GEOTECH REPORT

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Submitted: Wednesday 03-JUN-2026 12:38 PM
Company: Riverside Contracting Inc.
Contact: Dennis Devous
Please confirm the Crushed Aggregate bid item. The Additional Surfacing Summary shows 13333 Cy of a leveling Cs. and this isn't added into the Total Bid Crushed Aggregate bid item. Please clarify what you want.
Answer
Submitted: Wednesday 17-JUN-2026 07:30AM
Please see note below Additional Surfacing summary frame “# FOR INFORMATION ONLY – USE EXCESS PULVERIZED MATERIAL FOR LEVELING”. Under Pulverized Material on the Notes page also states “USE THE EXCESS PULVERIZED MATERIAL FOR SHOULDER GRAVEL AND LEVELING (QUANTITES CALCULATED USING 8% SWELL)”.
 
It is expected that the project will produce approximately 23000 yd3 of excess pulverized material of which 13,333 yd3 will need to be incorporated along the corridor for leveling purposes to meet the vertical profile.

No additional payment will be made for the use of excess pulverized material to the final position to achieve grade.  Include the cost of incorporating of this material in the Pavement Pulverization bid item.  If additional crushed aggregate is required to make grade after the addition of excess pulverized material is complete, the additional crushed aggregate will be paid in accordance with standard specification 302.03.3 paid by the yd3.

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Submitted: Friday 05-JUN-2026 09:14 AM
Company: Riverside Contracting Inc.
Contact: Estimating
In response to Question 1. The design files appear to be incomplete, lacking a subgrade surface and complete project alignment. There appears to be an inconsistency between the main grading frame and quantities calculated from the cross sections. Can MDT provide a dirt run for the project please?
Answer
Submitted: Wednesday 17-JUN-2026 07:33AM
-Due to the segmented nature of the project, there are multiple project alignment files that were provided.  A combined file for the entire length of the project has not been made.  A dirt run has not been generated for this project.

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Submitted: Sunday 07-JUN-2026 11:30 AM
Company: Prince, Inc.
Contact: Mike Sharp
The NTP date in the proposal is August 24, 2026. Could this project be flexed to April 15th, 2027? The pit permitting process, mix design development and approval, and the fact that the emulsion injection process has limitations (weather, curing, etc..) lends itself to a 2027 start date. And the flexibility of a Flex Date NTP will still allow the successful bidder to work this fall if desired. Thank you.
Answer
Submitted: Tuesday 09-JUN-2026 09:36AM
Contract time will be revised to a flex time proceed date, effective April 19, 2027. Special provision #2, Contract Time is rescinded and replaced with the linked special provision, Contract Time – Flex Time Proceed Date: CONTRACT TIME

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Submitted: Saturday 06-JUN-2026 06:08 PM
Company: Prince, Inc.
Contact: Mike Sharp
1.) There are nearly 100 approaches on the project and no quantities for the obliteration of the existing surfacing on the approaches. How will this obliteration be paid for?
2.) There are also several mailbox widenings that require pulverization that do not appear to have quantities set up in the pulverization summary. Will this be paid under the pulverization item?
3.) It appears that the pulverized pavement quantity is also included in the unclassified excavation quantity. Please provide a detailed breakdown of both quantities to help clarify which is to be paid as unclassified excavation and what is to be paid as pulverization.
4.) The note below the Additional Surfacing summary indicates that there will be 13,333 CY of leveling course material available for leveling. The last two pulverization projects have had either shrink (-4% on Reserve - E.) or zero swell (W. of Jordan - W.). What pay item will be used to address the shortfall if that occurs?
5.) Special Provision 20 reads that Corrective Aggregate (CAC) required for corrective work (leveling and digouts) prior to emulsion injection will be paid by the ton. That pay item and quantity is missing from the proposal. Please add that bid item and quantity to the documents and bid file.
Answer
Submitted: Wednesday 17-JUN-2026 08:00AM
1 - Approaches where CAC and PMS are listed, they are planned to be rebuilt and the quantities are included in Unclassified Exc, CAC and PMS bid items.  If there is only PMS quantiles listed, an overlay is planned. 
2 - The mailbox widening areas that need pulverized will be paid under the respective bid items.
3 - The pavement pulverization is not included in the Unclassified Excavation quantities.  The quantity for Excavation Unclassified (203 020 100) has been reduced to 108,853. The Pavement Pulverization (302 000 000) quantity has been increased to 215,806. Sheets 14 -16 have been updated. Sheet 16A is also hereby added to the plan set. An amendment will be issued; updated bid files will be posted. UPDATED SHEETS 14-16 AND 16A
4-See Q&A #2
5-See Q&A #2

 

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Submitted: Thursday 11-JUN-2026 12:28 PM
Company: Century Companies, Inc.
Contact: Estimating Estimating
We reached out to the contact listed in SP 17, and were instructed to ask any questions here. Can the department explain what the area actually is?
Answer
Submitted: Friday 12-JUN-2026 11:15AM
The location is a cultural resource that may be eligible for the National Register of Historic Places. It is a sensitive area that must not be disturbed. In consultation with the State Historic Preservation Office and the Fort Peck Tribal Historic Preservation Office, this location was identified for protection. The National Historic Preservation Act requires this location is protected. 

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Submitted: Thursday 11-JUN-2026 02:26 PM
Company: Rinker Materials - Rapid City, SD
Contact: Brian Jenner
What are the cutoff wall depths for the following locations:
534+36 65x40 RCPA FETS Cutoff Walls Left and Right
687+02 102x62 RCPA FETS Cutoff Walls Left and Right
738+93 65x40 RCPA FETS Cutoff Walls Left and Right

The quantity shown in the plans for CONCRETE CLASS GENERAL for the locations does not match what is shown on MDT Drawing 552-04 to correlate the depth required.
The CONCRETE CLASS GENERAL quantity for the 65x40 cutoff wall is called out in the plans as 2.8 cu. yds. or 1.4 cu. yds. per cutoff wall. The value of 1.4 cu. yds. is shown in MDT Drawing 552-04 for RCPA (SQ. END) for 3 ft. depth, but these are FETS ends.
The CONCRETE CLASS GENERAL quantity for the 102x62 RCPA is called out in the plans as 3.8 cu. yds. or 1.9 cu. yds. per cutoff wall.
The value of 1.9 cu. yds. is shown in MDT Drawing 552-04 for RCPA (SQ. END), for 3 ft. depth, but the plans call out FETS ends.
Answer
Submitted: Tuesday 16-JUN-2026 02:15 PM
1: Both of these sites have foundation materials and should have H = 4’ per DD 552-00. For this size RCPA with FETS, quantity is 2.1 cu yd per pipe end.

2: This pipe should be H = 4’ since it has foundation material per DD 552-00. Cutoff walls are 2.6 cu yd each for this size RCPA with FETS.

The quantity for Concrete Class General (551020030) has been increased to 18.8 CUYD. Sheets 17, 18, 19 and 21 have been updated. SHEETS 17-19 AND 21

An amendment will be issued; updated bid files will be posted.

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Submitted: Thursday 18-JUN-2026 10:46 AM
Company: Wickens Construction, Inc.
Contact: estimating
Can MDT verify the following lengths of culvert: 1) Drainage Pipe 24 in, 2) RCPA 30 in, 3) RCP 36 in, 4) RCP 42 in? There are over 4 miles of reconstruct areas on the project but no traffic gravel item. Would MDT consider adding a traffic gravel item to the project?

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Submitted: Friday 19-JUN-2026 01:32 PM
Company: Baranko Brothers Inc.
Contact: Jadyn Roller
On this project there are multiple right of way breaks in the fence and the standard drawings DWG 607-05 gives the option for metal or wood panel fence. On DWG 607-20 only 2x6 wood panels are used to span the gap. Can the 2x6 wood panels be screwed or drilled into the metal fence posts?

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Submitted: Wednesday 17-JUN-2026 07:57 AM
Company: Montana Fence Company
Contact: Jim Ritter
Regarding Item Number 557010105 PEDESTRIAN RAIL: written spec 25.3.e states "Pedestrian rail shall comply with the requirements of AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Specifications, Section 13.8". Railing that complies with this spec do not rack and cannot follow a slope. The profile of the retaining wall on this project shows that there is up to a 9.11% slope. We recommend railing that complies with IBC/ASC loading requirements rather than the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design spec. This type of railing will rack and follow the required slope for this project. Ameristar's railing product - Montage Plus meets the IBC/ASC requirement of: "Either a uniform load of 50 lb/ft (applied in any direction) or a concentrated point load of 200 lbs (applied at any point in any direction)." which is the same as the AASHTO LFRD Bridge Design spec and is rackable. Please advise.

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Submitted: Wednesday 17-JUN-2026 08:40 AM
Company: Schellinger Construction Co., Inc.
Contact: Grant Roberts
With all of the mainline plant mix receiving a seal and cover would MDT consider changing the plant mix to Grade S 1/2"?

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Submitted: Thursday 18-JUN-2026 04:17 PM
Company: White Resources Group, Inc.
Contact: Estimating
608010018 SIDEWALK-SPECIAL DESIGN - this Item looks to be very expensive - would the Department consider an 8" reinforced exposed aggregate finish instead of the embedded river rock? Sheet 29 - Reinforced Sidewalk Detail - To confirm, this is the detail for any of the reinforced concrete? (i.e. 6" reinforced, 8" Special Design-embedded river rock- and 9" reinforced) SP 27 - Clarify Class DP for the Portland Cement Concrete Pavement;

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Submitted: Friday 19-JUN-2026 12:58 PM
Company: Schellinger Construction Co., Inc.
Contact: Grant Roberts
Please post the special provision for the Exploratory Excavation item.

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Submitted: Friday 19-JUN-2026 04:09 PM
Company: Mountain West Holding Company
Contact: Chris Connors
Please clarify some details for the signing on this project. The only bid item for the posts is Posts Tubular Steel. Plan page S1 identifies the posts as Posts Tubular Steel (Square Perforated). The plans show Round 3" Pipe for all locations but one that shows the perforated tubular (telesapar). The plans do not identify what type of breakaway is to be used for any location and calculation of pounds per location does not appear to be correct depending on what type of breakaway is required. Please complete the signing plans, add the appropriate bid items, and correct the calculations to provide an accurate bid quantity for each item.

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Submitted: Monday 15-JUN-2026 11:10 AM
Company: Knife River
Contact: Grant Clingingsmith
Can MDT post the design files, mass diagram, dirt runs, and any additional geotechnical information
Answer
Submitted: Monday 15-JUN-2026 04:13 PM
Linked are PDF Files of the available project alignment and/or structures geotechnical report(s), geotechnical report supplements, and geotechnical laboratory summaries.  There is remaining geotechnical information that is voluminous and very difficult to compile in a concise manner.  Contractors are welcome to come to MDT Headquarters to inspect rock samples taken for the project that are stored here or to look through the complete set of Geotechnical field investigation notes, laboratory testing, analytical, or other data in our project files.  It should be noted that the project may have undergone significant changes during the design process after the original geotechnical report and supplements were issued.  Thus, some of the information contained in these documents may be out of date or not applicable with regard to the advertised project. Some of the changes include, but are not limited to: Project splits (for funding, ROW issues, etc.) alignment and grade changes; and changes due to environmental factors (sensitive areas, etc.).  The documents can be found at the following link: GEOTECH REPORTS

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Submitted: Tuesday 16-JUN-2026 04:16 PM
Company: Knife River
Contact: Grant Clingingsmith
Can MDT post the design files used for this project?
Answer
Submitted: Wednesday 17-JUN-2026 01:17PM
The design files for the requested project are posted here: DESIGN FILES
The requested files do not represent the staked project, but are only design files.  The Department cannot guarantee the accuracy of the electronic data, particularly as it may be called up by your computer, nor does any data in these files supersede the data in the contract documents.

In addition, the Department will not make any revisions to the electronic files pertaining to the staked project, change ordered work, or changes that are made during construction to fit field conditions.

 

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Submitted: Thursday 18-JUN-2026 11:53 AM
Company: Martin Construction Inc
Contact: Jim Ouldhouse
There is no bid item for clearing and grubbing is this to be incidental to other bid items?
Answer
Submitted: Friday 19-JUN-2026 12:47PM
Clearing and grubbing is to be incidental to the Excavation-Unclassified bid item.
 

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Submitted: Thursday 18-JUN-2026 11:58 AM
Company: Martin Construction Inc
Contact: Jim Ouldhouse@martinnd.com
Special Provision 22, Coal Waste, has the Department Identified an area for the disposal of Coal Waste?
Answer
Submitted: Friday 19-JUN-2026 12:51PM
Contractor is responsible for finding a location to waste any coal encountered in accordance with Special Provision 22 COAL WASTE.
 

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Submitted: Thursday 18-JUN-2026 12:09 PM
Company: Martin Construction Inc
Contact: Jim Ouldhouse
Special Provisions 2, Unusually severe weather is not considered as a delay cause, Special provision 19 C2a, states that the Project Manager will suspend grading operations during inclement weather if it is determined that that the conditions are unsuitable for continued operations. If this is the case will a suspend work order be issued and will the completion date be extended?

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Submitted: Thursday 18-JUN-2026 03:06 PM
Company: Mountain West Holding Company
Contact: Chris Connors
The project requires temporary barrier to separate traffic from the work in the slide area. Special provision 23 states that during working hours, a 12ft lane with a 2ft shoulder must be maintained. Please confirm that it is the Department's position that the 12ft lane and 2ft shoulder will also remain in place during non-working hours while construction requires temporary barrier.
Answer
Submitted: Friday 19-JUN-2026 02:55 PM
Temporary Barrier Rail and Temporary Impact Attenuators have been removed from the project. During working hours maintain a minimum 12-foot travel lane with a 2-foot shoulder. Outside of working hours open the roadway to two-way traffic.

The following bid items have been removed:
618190100 TEMPORARY BARRIER RAIL
606011518 TEMPORARY IMPACT ATTENUATOR

Special Provision #23 TRAFFIC CONTROL/SEQUENCE OF OPERATIONS has been revised: Link

Sheet #5 has been revised: Link

An amendment will be issued; updated bid files will be posted.

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Submitted: Friday 29-MAY-2026 07:15 AM
Company: Montana Fence
Contact: Jacob Wutke
Referencing Drawing 607-10 - Combination Woven/Barbed is installed with a double panel every 660ft, At changes in directions, and at Corners. Also there is no detailed Drawing for a metal right away break in which case the state has offset a double on one side of the monument pin. Would the state adjust the quantities of Doubles and Singles for both Metal and Wood due to the fact that the the quantities of doubles and singles is currently inaccurate. On All past jobs double panels far exceed the number of Single Panels. Our Quick Estimation taking a look at the Plans is roughly: (F3M-32IN WW) Doubles - 269 Doubles and 56 Singles with 93 Right away Breaks; (F3W-32IN WW) Doubles -20 and Singles -4 with 4 Right away Breaks.
Answer
Submitted: Monday 8-JUN-2026 03:20 PM
Install a double fence panel at all right of way breaks offset 1 foot onto MDT’s right of way. Quantities for the following bid items are hereby amended per the updated summary:

UPDATED PLAN SHEET 3

607100360      FARM FENCE-PANEL/SINGLE FW              EACH   4
607100362      FARM FENCE-PANEL/SINGLE FM              EACH   101
607100380      FARM FENCE-PANEL/DOUBLE FW            EACH   23
607100385      FARM FENCE-PANEL/DOUBLE FM            EACH   396

An amendment will be issued; updated bid files will be posted.

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Submitted: Friday 29-MAY-2026 07:21 AM
Company: Montana Fence
Contact: Jacob Wutke
In regards to the Portion on Page 8 Concerning Bald Eagles:
"The specific construction activities required for construction of the new right-of- way fence along I-94, between R.P. 178.1 and R.P. 180.1 along I-94 in Prairie County are excepted from this restriction."
Did the State mean Exempted
Answer
Submitted: Wednesday 03-JUN-2026 08:28AM
While exempted or excepted may be used in this situation, the intent of the special is to allow the construction activities for the fence work to commence without any timing restrictions for the BGEPA between RP 178.1 and 180.1.  The contractor will still not be allowed to build man camps or stage material within that area. The timing restrictions in the MBTA special provision for this Project must still be adhered to.

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Submitted: Thursday 04-JUN-2026 08:59 AM
Company: Montana Fence
Contact: Jacob Wutke
In regards to the railroad Flagging and being in the right away- Is the state going to require rail road protective insurance? If So- is this to be figured into our bid or will it be reimbursed in or out of the bid?
Answer
Submitted: Monday 08-JUN-2026 09:15 AM
Railroad Protective and Liability Insurance is required for this project.  This can be provided with a separate company policy, or the contractor can choose to go under the RR’s Blanket policy.  Per the special provision MDT will reimburse the fee for the cost of the permit.

No Questions available for this project.

No Questions available for this project.

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Submitted: Thursday 11-JUN-2026 02:55 PM
Company: Battle Ridge Builders
Contact: Cody Ham
Beams suppliers are saying these beams can't be delivered until December. With a December delivery, holidays and Coldweather concreting on the superstructure, please extend the completion date to April 15 - 2027.
Answer
Submitted: Wednesday 17-JUN-2026 07:30 AM
MDT’s intention is to expedite the completion of this project and minimize, to the greatest extent possible, the inconvenience to the community being effected by the closure of this bridge. The completion date is hereby changed to February 26, 2027, and revised incentive language incorporated into the contract. 

The following Special Provisions are rescinded:
No. 2 CONTRACT TIME – COMPLETION DATE
No. 4 CONTRACT TIME – INCENTIVE & DISINCENTIVE MILESTONE
No. 5 SEQUENCE OF OPERATIONS

The following Special Provisions are hereby incorporated into the contract:
CONTRACT TIME – COMPLETION DATE
CONTRACT TIME – INCENTIVE MILESTONE
SEQUENCE OF OPERATIONS

UPDATED: 17-JUN-2026 04:06 PM
UPDATED CONTRACT TIME – COMPLETION DATE

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Submitted: Monday 15-JUN-2026 09:45 AM
Company: Sletten Construction
Contact: Russ Robertson
In addition to what Battle Ridge asked. With the requirement for temporary facilities to access and build this project, we are at least 60-80 days out from award for a 404 permit after MDT reviews and approves our permit application. Even with the beams delaying the project, permitting would have made it impossible to meet the requirements of the contract. Instead of extending time to April, why not make it more realistic and extend until June so that we don't have to heat the deck concrete and so we can pave with temperatures that meet the Standard Specifications?
Answer
Submitted: Wednesday 17-JUN-2026 08:00 AM
Please see the response to Question #1

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Submitted: Monday 15-JUN-2026 03:07 PM
Company: Knife River Prestress Inc
Contact: James Ryan Moss
With the quick turnaround of the prestressed girders for this project, we respectfully request the agency to drop the 800 lb. maximum limit of cement content in order for the girders to achieve concrete strength in a timelier manner and enable early shipping if requested.
Answer
Submitted: Tuesday 16-JUN-2026 03:37 PM
Project-specific mix design parameters will be evaluated once a contractor is selected and the construction schedule is established. At that time, MDT can assess whether the proposed concrete mix meets the required performance criteria and overall objectives for the project.

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Submitted: Wednesday 17-JUN-2026 08:20 AM
Company: Sletten Construction
Contact: Russ Robertson
Due to the exigent nature of this project, will MDT shorten their submittal review period to 7 calendar days for all submittals and 5 calendar days for all resubmittals to ensure that contractor has the best chance to meet the milestones of the project?
Answer
Submitted: Thursday 18-JUN-2026 01:25PM
MDT is fully committed to prioritizing the review and processing of all submittals as promptly as practicable to support timely completion of this project.
 

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Submitted: Wednesday 17-JUN-2026 08:47 AM
Company: Sletten Construction
Contact: Russ Robertson
Due to the water need for transverse deck grooving, if low temperatures are encountered, it could make this impossible to accomplish in the winter. Could transverse deck grooving be incorporated into the Spring 2027 activities along with the silane sealer? This work should be able to be completed under single lane traffic. It would require a few extra working days to be added.
Answer
Submitted: Wednesday 17-JUN-2026 04:05 PM
The bridge transverse grooving and silane sealer activities for the bridge deck can be completed outside of the substantial completion window to align with favorable weather conditions.  5 additional working days will be added to the contract for a total of 15, for these items and those stated in updated Special Provision CONTRACT TIME – COMPLETION DATE posted in response to Question #1.

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Submitted: Thursday 18-JUN-2026 12:13 PM
Company: Sletten Construction
Contact: Ian McIntosh
The current pipe pile coating specification requires the finish coat to be applied in the field after the piles have been driven and placed in their final position. Given the seasonal restrictions and anticipated weather conditions during construction, please consider allowing the finish coat to be shop applied prior to shipment. Due to the project schedule, it is likely that field conditions will not consistently meet the temperature requirements necessary for proper application of the finish coat. Any damage to the coating resulting from handling, transportation, or pile driving could be repaired with touch-up paint in accordance with the manufacturer's recommendations once weather conditions are suitable. Will MDT consider allowing the finish coat to be shop applied, with field touch-up performed as necessary after installation?
Answer
Submitted: Thursday 18-JUN-2026 02:49PM
MDT will allow the finish coat on the piles to be shop applied prior to shipment, with field touch-up repairs performed as needed after installation in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommendations.
 

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Submitted: Thursday 18-JUN-2026 02:40 PM
Company: Sletten Construction
Contact: Ian McIntosh
With this project being scheduled for construction during the winter months, Special Provision 31, Girder Temperature Requirements for Fixed Shoe Welding, is a concern. Based on the anticipated construction schedule, there is potential that ambient temperatures may not exceed 40°F during much of the period in which this welding will be performed. As currently written, the specification may require extensive heating and protection measures for each girder to maintain compliance with the temperature requirements. Please clarify whether MDT intends to strictly enforce the girder temperature requirements throughout this period or if flexibility will be provided given the seasonal constraints of the project. This clarification will allow us to properly account for these requirements in our bid.