29 Main Street, Suite 11 – Montpelier, VT 05602 – 802.229.0820 – vrc@vermontriverconservancy.org www.vermontriverconservancy.org

VERMONT RIVER CONSERVANCY Conserving Shorelands and Access

Request for Proposals

North Branch Cascades Trail Elmore & Worcester, VT Closing Date: May 24th, 2019 Summary: The Vermont River Conservancy (VRC) is issuing this Request for Proposals for contractors to construct a trail along a one-mile stretch of the North Branch of the Winooski River straddling Elmore and Worcester, Vermont. The North Branch Cascades Trail will provide a unique opportunity to connect residents and visitors alike with the river in a beautiful wilderness-like setting. The trail is the centerpiece recreational project of a 6,000 acre conservation project spearheaded by the Vermont Land Trust. This is the second phase in the development of the North Branch Cascades Trail. In 2018, with support from Vermont DEC’s Ecological Restoration Program and the Lake Champlain Basin Program, we replaced failed culverts, filled and stabilize eroded sites and ruts, and installed sediment traps along the former Route 12 roadbed. We also installed over fifty stone steps on spur trails leading to swimming holes, installed a 24’ boardwalk over a vernal pool, cleared overgrown sections of the trail corridor, and installed a kiosk. The scope of work as laid out in this RFP will bring the project to completion, with a trail, spur trail, bridge and parking area all completed by November 2019.

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Introduction & Background: The North Branch Cascades Trail is the recreational foci for a 6000+ acre conservation project spearheaded by the Vermont Land Trust. The effort to conserve the North Branch headwaters (collectively known as Worcester Woods) is one of the more significant land acquisition projects in Vermont’s recent history. While the forest is open to the public for dispersed recreation, the North Branch Cascades Trail is the only formal recreational trail planned as part of this effort. We are experiencing an increasing demand state wide for trails providing access to Vermont's cascades and swimming holes, which serve as important gathering spaces for families and youth during the summer months. The parking lot at Warren Falls along the Mad River, for example, is often full to capacity. As more and more landowners close access to traditional swimming holes on private lands, the need for permanently protected and adequately stewarded trails along our rivers is more important than ever. This project will help fill an important gap in Vermont's recreational trail system: walking paths in wild setting appropriate for all ages and abilities. While the towns of Worcester and Elmore have abundant public lands, most recreation happens on the steep and rugged slopes of the Worcester range. And while more gentle walking paths can be found in Montpelier (i.e. North Branch Nature Center) these lack the wild and remote feel of the North Branch headwaters. Project Goals / Elements: Construction will follow Forest Service (2012) guidelines and specifications for hiking trails. The bridge design follows USFS specification R-9 (pedestrian/ski bridge). ADA sections will follow USFS guidelines for accessible trails. The trail width will be maintained at 6” (4’ for accessible spur, 3’ for other spur trails). Grades will be kept at less than 12.5%, and cross slopes less than 5%. USFS specifications can be found here: https://www.fs.fed.us/recreation/programs/accessibility/FSTAG_2013%20Update.pdf See attached map for a detailed site plan. Existing Conditions / Constraints Decades of neglect and the lack of corridor management had led to a degradation of the former Rt 12 roadbed. Failed culverts and runoff from Rt 12 had created gullies and headcuts and were exacerbating water quality problems. In 2017, we addressed many of these problems; proposed work will allow us to finish the implementation of best management practices, creating a safe and sustainable trail corridor. North Branch Cascades 2019 Project Workplan Note: Labor and Equipment Only. VRC to supply materials with coordination of delivery by contractor. 1. Southern Access Road (300’x10’)

Add 20’ of ditching to direct stormwater into existing culvert near turn-off Resurface road turn-off, in preparation for paving of road throat Add 100' of ditching along access road Install a french drain across access road below ditching Resurface with 3-6” (56 yards) of 3/8”- gravel Install 2 6x6 posts and a 10’ farm gate at entrance Install four road signs on posts near entrance

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2. Southern Accessible trail (1580’x6’)

Install 1,580’ of geotextile fabric Lay 2-3” of 1 ½”crushed stone (90 yards) Add 6-8” of 3/8”- gravel (235 yards) Install stone headers at mouth of three culverts Grade, compact and finish trail to conform to ADA standards and to maintain appropriate

cross drainage (3-4% cross slope). 3. Southern Trail Turn-Around (8-10’ radius ADA turn-around and overlook)

Lay 2 yards of crushed stone Set 8-10 “sitting stones” of approximately 18”x12”x18” along the edge of the trail. The

contractor would be responsible for moving them from the southern trailhead to the site.

4. Retaining wall section (65’x5’): Install a 65’ long, 5’ tall rustic retaining wall constructed of irregular stones to hold back the

bank from further erosion, constructed to accepted dry-stone masonry standards. Install four 3-4’ wide stone check steps shall be installed along the trail in front of the wall and

backfilled with gravel. Resurface 65’ of the trail surface with approximately 4” of gravel (5 yards)

5. Northern Accessible Trail: (500’x 6’)

Install 50’ of geotextile fabric Lay 2-3” of 1 ½”crushed stone (30 yards) Add 6-8” of 3/8”- gravel (75 yards) Grade, compact and finish to conform to ADA standards and to maintain cross drainage (3-4%

cross slope). Create ADA turn-around at southern terminus (8-10’ radius ADA turn-around and overlook)

6. North Spur To Beach (120’x4’)

Install 6’ x 18” culvert to cross existing ditch Excavate existing soils so final trail will be constructed at grade Install 120’ of geotextile fabric Lay 2-3” of 1 ½”crushed stone (5 yards) Add 6” of 3/8”- gravel (11 yards) Grade, compact and finish to conform to ADA standards and to maintain cross drainage (3-4%

cross slope). 7. Northern Parking Area and approach

Remove two guardrail sections (40’) and buried posts. Reinstall two posts, adding curved sections and end caps Construct a 3080' sq ft of gravel parking area and pull-off (300-350 cubic yards). Maximum 3% slope for first 20”, than a 6% slope.

8. Spur trail stone staircases (Constructed out of imported stones delivered to trail termi).

High Falls: Construct 30 step stone staircase down steep bank Middle Turn-off: Construct 12 steps from turn-off to first terrace Overlook Sitting Area: Construct 12 step staircase from overlook to pool

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Boardwalk bridge pool: Deliver 3 steps (plus armor rock) to site (volunteer project) Castle Rock (deliver five steps to site just south of southern overlook)

Note: Bridge construction is not in this scope of work. Proposed Project Schedule 4/24 RFP Released5/24 RFP submission deadline6/7/2019 Design Team notification, contract signed10/15/2019 Trail work completed Bid Submission Process Pre-Bid Site Meeting Friday, May 17th at 10:00 am. Please furnish two (2) hardcopies and one (1) digital (PDF) proposal with pages numbered consecutively, preferably double sided.

A. Required Technical Information 1. Cover Letter 2. Qualifications– describe experience in areas needed to fulfill the project scope. Specifically

list which proposed project team members have worked on which related projects. 3. Two examples of relevant completed projects. 4. Scope of Work – a scope of work for the project detailing the consultant’s proposed approach

to the base scope of the tasks described in the RFP, and any recommended adjustments to the scope or tasks.

5. Proposed schedule – the schedule should include completion of work tasks and deliverables as well as any key meetings and comply with the timeline given in this RFP.

6. References – please provide a minimum of two, including the name and the telephone number of each

B. Required Cost Information

Please note that this is a request for labor and equipment expenses only. The Vermont River Conservancy will purchase all materials (gravel, stone, steel beams) needed for the project, as well as pay for trucking expenses. Any incidental material or other direct expenses incurred by the contractor must be approved by VRC. Fee information should be included with the proposal should including a schedule of staff to be assigned to the project, their hourly rates, and estimated hours per person by task, as well rates for additional labor and equipment should the scope of work increase.

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Submittal Details Final Submission must be received no later than: 5:00 pm Friday, May 24th, 2019 Attention to: Steve Libby Vermont River Conservancy slibby@vermontriverconservancy.org Mailing address: 29 Main St., Ste 11 Montpelier, VT 05602 Design Team Selection VRC will select (and notify) a contractor for this RFP by June 1st, 2019. Contractor selection will be based on all bid submission materials, including qualifications, experience with ADA accessible trails, dry laid masonry techniques, and cost effectiveness. Attached / Linked Documents 1. Map with a detailed site plan.

Spur Trail

Spur Trail

Way�ndingSignage

Existing Kiosk

No DumpingSignage

Trail Bridge• 60’ span pedestrian bridge• 3 Steel I-Bean Stringers • 5’ oak decking and rails• Concrete foundation

Parking Area

Old Cellar Hole

AccessibleSpur Trail To Beach

(4’x120’)

OVERLOOKS• Scenic overlook will serve as termi of accessible trail sections. • Turn-around areas and wooden and stone benches to be added

A walking path along the North Branch of the Winooski, providing access to its cascades and swimming holes for all ages and abilities

1160’

1180’

1140’

1200

0 250 500 750 ft.

NORTH BRANCH CASCADES TRAIL

Parking Areas

Overlook Area

Picnic Area

Accessible Parking

20’ Contours

Wetland

• Failed culverts were replaced in 2017• Sediment traps have be incorporated to protect the North Branch’ water qualityTrail will be benched and crowned to prevent further erosion of trail surface

STORMWATER

12

LEGENDNorth Branch Cascades Trail

Spur Trails (Existing)

Accessible Section (Proposed)

Spur Trails (Proposed)ACCESSIBILITY• Approximately 50% trail, at the northern and southern termini, will meet ADA Accessibility guidelines, and will be resurfaced with crushed stone (6’ wide).• A spur trail, mouldering parking area, and trail bridge will all meet ADA standards for accessibilty

SPUR TRAILS• Four trails providing access to swimming holes have been completed. Four to be constructed in 2019 and improved with stone steps.

65’ gabion wall4 check steps.

• 38’x72’ parking area (room for 8 vehicles)• Paved access throat and guardrails • 8-12” of 3/8” gravel over 1-2‘ of 2” stone • 4’x7’ trailhead kiosk• Wayfinding Signage

Southern AccessPaved throat

100’ of ditchingGate, no parking signs

French drain 3-6” of gravel

Great Falls Spur Trail3’x 150’

10 stone stepsCleared Overlook

Two Benches

New kiosk

Southern ADA Accessible section

(6’x 1,580’) 3 stone culvert

headers

K

K

Rout

e 12

North Parking Area

Gravel Trail

New Guardrail (12’6”, 16” radius)End treatments

New Guardrail (12’6”, 16” radius)End treatments

10’

40’

18’

9’ 30’

72’

95’

515 Sq Ft

3600 Sq Ft

20’

Overlook And Southern Accessible Trail Termni Turn-around, stone benches,

12 step stone stair case to swimming hole

�ree Sisters Spur Trail 5 stone steps

Northern Accessible Section500’ long, 6’ wide

Elmore

Worce

ster

Parcel Boundary

Southern Trailhead�ree parking spotsMouldering Privy

High Falls Swimming Hole30 step stone staircase

Mid Trail Pull-O�

12 stone steps

Cascades

BrokenFalls

Three sisters

Whaleback Rock

4’ Falls

Mom and Pop Swimming Hole

The Dancer

Big Eddy

Castle RockHigh

FallsEggRock

The Gorge

Big Sister Falls

Rock skippingbeach

Sloping Ledge

Thekiddiepool

Swimming PoolThe �ats

GreatFalls

The Chutes

Formalize ditching

New culvert & grade reversal

New culvert

Clear culvert

Crib Trail

Rehabilitate culvert

Falls

Traillocation

Worcester

Montpelier

Morrisville

Regional Map

12

100

15

2

89

14

24’ Boardwalk

(Built in 2017)