August 22, 2006 - Special

1. Call to Order
The Killingworth Reservoir Road Bridge Engineer Review Committee held a special meeting on Tuesday, August 22, 2006 at the Killingworth Fire House, Route 81, Killingworth, Connecticut. In attendance were Edward Coppola, Paul McGuinness, Steve Durdy, Kurt Weiss, Brian Ahearn and Louis Fronte. First Selectman Martin Klein was also present. Chairman Coppola called the meeting to order at 6:00 PM.

2. Interview Engineering Firms –
• Purcell Associates
Chairman Coppola noted he was only moderating the meeting and would not be participating in the scoring of the firms. The remaining members introduced themselves as well as First Selectman Martin Klein.

Chris Cignoli, Principal with Purcell Associates, introduced himself. ? Pradhan, Project Manager, and Steve Drechsler, Project Engineer. Mr. Cignoli distributed copies of their presentation and noted he would be talking about the team, their commitment to the project, the pros and cons of the local bridge program as well as doing a locally controlled project, ideas of using a temporary roadway and scheduling. Mr. Cignoli noted their firm has approximately 40 people who focus on civil engineering, structural engineering and transportation engineering. They do their own land surveying, own environmental permitting and own construction administration and inspection services. In a project of this type, they would only need someone to do geotechnical engineering and if there is a need for someone to do DEE work as a requirement of the State. Mr. Cignoli reviewed staff and the organizational chart. He noted the Town is obviously looking for the most expeditious and cost effective way to get this job done both short and long term. Mr. Cignoli reviewed pros and cons of the local bridge program noting the process is a slow one. He indicated some towns do projects themselves and then decide 5 or 10 years down the road it wasn’t quite right and go back to the State for funding only to find out it is not available.

Mr. Pradhan also reviewed the local bridge program including funding and permitting. If the town were to do this on their own, the process would be much shorter and they would have more control over funding and design. The town must keep in mind it should have a bridge that would last at least 20 to 25 years.

Mr. Drechsler talked about temporary opening of the roadway in the short term.

Mr. Pradhan briefly reviewed the design phrase and life span of the bridge. He indicated their firm could have a design package ready to go in about 3 to 4 months and a project of that size would probably take about 4 to 6 months to get a new structure in place. He reviewed permitting and flood management certification from DEP. Mr. Pradhan noted it would probably take about 17 to 18 months to go through the design phrase and on to construction.

Mr. Cignoli noted the first month would be to gather as much information in order to move forward as quickly as possible. They have to look at prices, processes and permitting. He noted they have been working on these types of projects for 45 years and are dealing with DOT on a constant basis having done dozens of bridges throughout the State. He indicated their record of consistency and quality has been there forever. Everyone working on the project will be local.

There was a brief question and answer period.

Chairman Coppola thanked Purcell Associates for their presentation.

• Tectonic
Chairman Coppola noted he was only moderating the meeting and would not be participating in the scoring of the firms. The remaining members introduced themselves as well as First Selectman Martin Klein.

Jim Low, Regional Director, introduced himself as well as Len Jarvis, Project Manager, and Gary Fontanella, Project Engineer.

Mr. Low noted their firm would like to work with the Town of Killingworth. He reviewed staff noting their office is in Rocky Hill and only ½ hour away. They primarily do transportation design and have done in excess of 120 bridges since the Mianus Bridge disaster. They have people available to do civil engineering, transportation engineering, structural engineering, environmental, permitting, etc. Mr. Low reviewed their organizational chart. He indicated he has 35 years of transportation design and construction experience. Mr. Jarvis has over 25 years of structural engineer, design and management experience. Mr. Fontanella has over 32 years of experience.

Mr. Jarvis reviewed some photos of the bridge in question. He reviewed 3 options – a single span bridge, a multi-cell box culvert and a pre-cast concrete arch system.

Mr. Fontanella talked about civil engineering indicating they would look at the roadway conditions to come up with an appropriate roadway width. The railing is substandard so that would have to be evaluated. They would also do a hydrologic structural analysis. He reviewed utility coordination and environmental permitting. Mr. Fontanella reviewed using a temporary bridge structure in order to allow traffic to utilize the road. He suggested one way alternating traffic.

Mr. Low distributed copies of a detailed scope of the project and reviewed same. He next reviewed the design schedule. They would hope to go out to bid and be able to start construction by August of next year.

Mr. Low reviewed the pros and cons of the local bridge program. He noted the State has a liaison engineer, Close, Jensen & Miller that handles a lot of the coordination. They have worked with them for the last 15 years and have a good relationship. The timeline would probably be doubled with using the local bridge program. There is also increased engineering costs. Mr. Low reviewed some recent projects they have done under the local bridge program.

There was a brief question and answer period.

Chairman Coppola thanked Tectonic for their presentation.

3. Select Engineering Firm to Negotiate Contract
Chairman Coppola noted the next step was to fill out the scoring sheets and all members to sign their respective sheets.

Chairman Coppola noted the final scores as follows –
Cardinal Engineering 465 points
GM2 Associates 408 points
Nathan Jacobson & Associates 399 points
Purcell Associates 424 points
Tectonic 422 points

Chairman Coppola noted based on the points the firm selected would be Cardinal Engineering with the second being Purcell Associates. He will take care of sending in the proper paperwork to the State. He will also check with the State regarding the process from here.

4. Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:10 PM.

August 21, 2006

1. Call to Order
The Killingworth Reservoir Road Bridge Engineer Review Committee held a special meeting on Monday, August 21, 2006, at the Killingworth Town Office Building, 323 Route 81, Killingworth, Connecticut. In attendance were Edward Coppola, Steve Durdy, Kurt Weiss, Paul McGuinness, Brian Ahearn and Louis Fronte. Chairman Coppola noted he would only be moderating the meeting. The other four members would be doing the scoring of the engineering firms. First Selectman Martin Klein was also present. Chairman Coppola called the meeting to order at
6:00 PM.

2. Interview Engineering Firms –
• Cardinal Engineering
Chairman Coppola again noted he was only moderating the meeting and would not be participating in the scoring of the firms. The remaining members introduced themselves as well as First Selectman Martin Klein.

Joe Cermola III, Vice President of Cardinal Engineering, introduced himself. He noted Dave Arzt will be Project Engineer and Jay Silva, Structural Engineer. Mr. Cermola thanked the Committee for the opportunity to discuss Cardinal’s qualifications. He reviewed history and experience of the company, as well as staff. Mr. Cermola showed various pictures of recent projects they have done. He then reviewed the subject of whether or not to apply for State/Federal funding, noting advantages and disadvantages.

Dave Arzt introduced himself. He reviewed the site noting the bridge is now closed as it is very deteriorated. The bridge is somewhat of a safety issue. Mr. Arzt noted this is a Public Watershed Area and there is a concern about sedimentation and erosion control and stormwater management. He indicated there is capacity for the 100 year storm and the only time this bridge overtopped was in 1982 when there was massive flooding. Mr. Arzt noted in order to go through the DOT process, a field survey of the roadway and channel would have to be done as well as an hydrology study. The high water marks would also be looked at, as well as the existing flood levels in order to meet all the DOT criteria. Mr. Arzt reviewed the procedure for the Federal program. Property lines would also be looked at. Scour evaluations would be done. A public hearing would need to be held. Inland Wetlands and Army Corps of Engineers Permits would be necessary. There would have to be coordination with the Public Health Department because of the Public Water Supply Watershed. DEP permits would be required. All these permits will take considerable time and might help the Town in deciding to go with Federal funding or local funding. Property maps will also need to be done and take some time. Construction easements might also be required.

Jay Silva reviewed structural issues and options for Federal or local funding. If Federal funding is applied for, a temporary bridge could be installed. He reviewed the option of using box culverts, as well as using local funding. He also reviewed preliminary costs.

Mr. Cermola gave a brief summary of the presentation noting they would give excellent personal service and would be ready to start immediately if selected. He indicated their fees are reasonable. Time line was briefly reviewed for both the Federal and local programs.

There was a brief question and answer period.

Chairman Coppola thanked Cardinal Engineering for their presentation.

• GM2 Associates
Chairman Coppola again noted he was only moderating the meeting and would not be participating in the scoring of the firms. The remaining members introduced themselves as well as First Selectman Martin Klein.

Manish Gupta introduced himself as well as Loren Pippin, Chief Structural Engineer and Proposed Project Engineer, and Robert Emma, Principal Architect from Hartford. Mr. Gupta noted he was Vice President of GM2 Associates. He reviewed history and experience of the company noting they did the Green Hill Road Bridge back in 1994-5. The company has grown quite a bit since those earlier days. He noted this bridge belongs to the Town even though the Town might be using Federal funding. GM2 would be willing to address all needs from the beginning of the project through the end and will make the best use of any existing data, not to reinvent the wheel. Reliable cost data will be provided. It was noted they have already talked with residents at the site and those at Town Hall. Staffing was reviewed. They have 28 engineers and inspectors and have completed more than 100 bridge projects since inception of the company. Some recent projects were reviewed. Advantages and disadvantages of the local bridge program were reviewed. It was noted the Town has control over the project. If the project is in a regulated floodway then the Town must deal with FEMA and DEP. This project can be done by going through a Floodplain Certification which is simply a formality and requires far less effort.

Loren Pippin introduced himself as proposed Project Manager for this assignment. There are four important issues – 1) to get road open as soon as possible, 2) water quality, 3) provide an economic design which would be maintenance free, and 4) provide an appearance that will fit in well with the site. Mr. Pippin reviewed the concept plan for temporary opening of the roadway during construction. He noted the new bridge would be constructed in two stages. Mr. Pippin noted aesthetics is an important part of the project.

Bob Emma introduced himself and gave a brief history and experience of his company. Their job is to assist GM2 in aesthetics and concept of visualization. There are various tools to express this concept, which he reviewed.

Mr. Pippin commented on the construction budget and schedule. He indicated normal design would take about 14 months and construction 10 months.

Committee member noted the Town’s biggest concerns are time frame and cost to the Town. Funding again was reviewed.

Their was a brief question and answer period.

Chairman Coppola thanked GM2 Associates for their presentation.

• Nathan Jacobson & Associates
Chairman Coppola again noted he was only moderating the meeting and would not be participating in the scoring of the firms. The remaining members introduced themselves as well as First Selectman Martin Klein.

Jeff Jacobson introduced himself as well as Howard Pfrommer. Mr. Jacobson, Senior Principal Engineer, noted Mr. Pfrommer, also a Senior Principal Engineer, was responsible for their bridge design projects. Mr. Jacobson gave a brief overview of the firm. He indicated they were able to provide the Town with the most experienced individuals of their firm at a very efficient rate.

Mr. Pfrommer reviewed some recent photos of project, some of which were in Killingworth. He noted they take pride in the aesthetic treatment of their projects. Mr. Pfrommer reviewed some work that has already been done on this project under the former administration. He reviewed disadvantages of the Federal and State Bridge programs. Mr. Pfrommer noted there are 3 important aspects of the bridge – 1) span from abutment to abutment, 2) height from the waterway, and 3) the roadway width. The length and the height are solely dictated by the hydrologic analysis. The width is often times dictated by the Federal program. Traffic counts were done on this road two years ago to come up with a suitable road width. Mr. Pfrommer noted he felt the double box culvert would be the most effective and least environmentally obtrusive. He reviewed the Akro Panel temporary bridge. Mr. Pfrommer reviewed timeline for design and permitting of the project. Curbing and construction schedule was reviewed. Availability, if chosen, for the project was reviewed. Paperwork, scope of work, submission to DEP was discussed. Mr. Pfrommer noted ¾’s of this project has already been done because of the prior work having been completed for the former administration.

Mr. Jacobson noted this is a very time consuming process and is just as frustrating for the engineering firm as it is for the Town.

Their was a brief question and answer period.

Chairman Coppola thanked Jacobson & Associates for their presentation.

Chairman Coppola noted once the scoring is completed those original sheets must be submitted to the Close, Jensen and Miller for State review and he asked if it should be submitted to the Board of Selectmen first. First Selectman Klein noted the Committee should just go ahead and continue with this process and send the scoring to Close, Jensen and Miller.
Chairman Coppola briefly reviewed the procedure for tomorrow’s meeting.

3. Adjournment
There being no further business, the meeting adjourned at 8:30 PM.