Contractor's System Project Question and Answer Forum

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Submitted: Thursday 10-SEP-2026 03:39 PM
Company: Riverside Contracting, Inc.
Contact: George Shick
Can MDT post the design files, dirt run, mass diagram, and any additional geotechnical information?
Answer
Submitted: Friday 25-SEP-2026 12:55 PM
The earthwork run, mass diagram, and design files are available at the below link. The 3D linework and mainline surfaces have been compiled into a Trimble Business Center model.
The Department cannot guarantee the accuracy of the electronic data, 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.
TBC MODEL

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Submitted: Friday 11-SEP-2026 01:36 PM
Company: Montana Fence
Contact: Jacob Wutke
For Item 607100395 and 60710455 Can the state specify which special design to follow in terms of the Standard Spec Detail found on 607-05 and 607- 01 Items 607100005 and 7 specify the Designs to be used. Some direction would be appreciated
Answer
Submitted: Tuesday 15-SEP-2026 09:16AM
For Item 607100005 – Special Design A – the fencing is 39" high woven wire (WW as shown in Std. Det. No. 607-00, without the barb wire and set 42" high. The posts are to be spaced and 10' on center per the landowner’s right-of-way agreement.
For Item 607100007 – Special Design B – the fencing is 48" high woven wire (type FW – 48" WW, without the barb wire) with 8' post spacing. 
For item 607100395 – Fence Panel Special Design-Double, there is to be no change in spacing or configuration to the double panels over the standard details 607-05 & 607-10, except it will be using the 39" WW set at the requested height.
For item 607100455 – Gate-Special Design – the gate is two 8' x 50" galvanized mesh (wire filled) farm gates 1.75" tube with rounded top corners, per the landowner’s right-of-way agreement. The fence panels connecting into the Gate-Special Design will follow the standard details 607-05 & 607-10.

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Submitted: Tuesday 15-SEP-2026 10:12 AM
Company: Ed Boland Construction
Contact: Steve Carlson
Could you supply invert elevations for the two special installs, 48 in. and 36 in. culverts
Answer
Submitted: Tuesday 15-SEP-2026 12:47 PM
Please refer to the Mainline Skewed Culverts cross sections, sheets 385-386 for invert elevations for the special installation culverts.

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Submitted: Wednesday 16-SEP-2026 08:24 AM
Company: Knife River
Contact: Matthew Stafford
Item #104030070 Miscellaneous Items-Removal LS relates to Special Provisions #46 Timber Decking for Private Landowners. This calls for clear and deck all timber specified from designated areas. Could you provided clarification if the work for this includes felling trees or if it only includes decking timber that has previously been felled? There is currently felled and de-limbed timber that can be seen adjacent to the job in many of the specified parcels. This felled timber looks to have been part of tree clearing that took place beneath the power lines. Does this item account for decking the timber felled for the power line in addition to timber that hasn’t been felled yet? If this item is to account for the cost of felling timber on the specified parcels, what about the felling of timber on parcels that are not specifically designated? Lastly, it states efforts are to be made to preserve live timber. Will MDT mark the trees that MDT wants to be removed? Has there been an approximate tree count that MDT expects to be taken for removal?
Answer
Submitted: Friday 18-SEP-2026 09:42AM
Work required in special provision #46 Timber Decking For Private Landowners only includes decking of trees for the specific parcels as outlined in special #46. All remaining tree clearing that wasn’t already performed by utility companies is included in the cost of clearing & grubbing, paid via LS. Some trees were already felled and de-limbed for utility relocations.  If these felled and de-limbed trees are within the limits of the decked trees as outlined in special #46, then perform the decking for these trees.  Decking does include previously felled trees and trees that still need to be felled.
Only trees within clear zone and within construction limits need to be cleared.  If the trees are located outside construction limits and outside clear zone, then the trees can be preserved.  Refer to the do not disturb note on the notes sheet of the plans for additional trees that are not to be disturbed.  MDT will stake construction limits, but the trees that are required to be removed will not be staked.  There is not an estimated number of trees for removal.

-5-
Submitted: Monday 21-SEP-2026 03:12 PM
Company: Knife River
Contact: Matthew Stafford
Follow up question to the SP#46 Timber Decking. When will MDT stake construction limits? - prior to bid or after award? What method or station distance do you intend to stake construction limits?
Answer
Submitted: Wednesday 23-SEP-2026 04:10 PM
MDT plans to begin slope staking the week of September 28^th.  It is not guaranteed that all slope staking will be completed prior to bid.  Slope stakes will generally be set at 100’ intervals on tangents and 50' intervals through curves. Clear and Grub limits will extend 10’ beyond the catch point, or to R/W line, whichever occurs first.

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Submitted: Monday 21-SEP-2026 03:22 PM
Company: Knife River
Contact: Matthew Stafford
Could MDT send the comprehensive set of geotechnical information? Does MDT have any earthwork or design files to check volume calculations?
Answer
Submitted: Friday 25-SEP-2026 01:02PM
For geotechnical information, see response to question #7.  For earthwork and design files, see response to question #1.

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Submitted: Monday 21-SEP-2026 04:38 PM
Company: Knife River
Contact: Mike Eichner
Can the Department provide the geotechnical information that is available upon request per Special Provision #15.
Answer
Submitted: Wednesday 23-SEP-2026 11:27 AM
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
Boring logs with updated stationing are located here:
LOGS OF BORING

-8-
Submitted: Thursday 01-OCT-2026 07:26 AM
Company: LHC
Contact: Sam Weyers
Plan sheet 117 summary table does not show any topsoil salvaging/replacing for the roundabout detour? How is it paid?
Answer
Submitted: Thursday 01-OCT-2026 01:21PM
Refer to the Detour summary on sheet 38.  1.1 acres of revegetation was quantified for the roundabout detour.  Revegetation is included in the cost of detour – construct, maintain, remove.  In addition, refer to special provision #81 Detours – Wetland Revegetation for additional information when wetlands are present in disturbed areas of detour.

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Submitted: Thursday 01-OCT-2026 01:10 PM
Company: Inland Northwest Precast
Contact: Seth Holan
Would Type III cement be acceptable in lieu of Type V cement for precast components, as Type V is not readily available. Can a lower dose of Type III per yard be acceptable?
Answer
Submitted: Friday 02-OCT-2026 12:42 PM
Refer to standard specification 554.02.1: For precast items installed below grade, furnish low alkali hydraulic cements meeting M85/C150 Type V Portland Cement or M240/C595 Blended Cement with the (HS) designation for sulfate resistance meeting the requirements of Section 551.03.2 (A)(7) from sources listed on the QPL.

Refer to standard specification 551.03.2(A)7: When Type V cement is specified for sulfate resistance, other cementitious material mixtures tested in accordance with ASTM C1012 may be submitted for approval. Acceptance will be based on maximum length of change of 0.05% at 6 months or 0.10% at 12 months if the expansion exceeds the 6-month maximum expansion limit.

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Submitted: Thursday 01-OCT-2026 01:19 PM
Company: True North Steel
Contact: Dawn Pascal Sheen
On station 33+02 regarding the arched flared end section with trash rack. Is there a drawing that can be provided.
Answer
Submitted: Friday 02-OCT-2026 11:25 AM
Trashguard for RCP Flared End Sections detail has been removed and replaced with the following detail sheet: Trashguard for RCP and RCPA Flared End Sections.
The following update to the Road Plans is hereby incorporated into this contract: UPDATED SHEET 51

-11-
Submitted: Thursday 01-OCT-2026 01:38 PM
Company: Knife River
Contact: Mike Eichner
Reference: Special Provision #35 (Clean Water Act Section 404 Permit and Section 401 Certification), Section C.1.c Question 1: Does the Biological Resources Report, Aquatic Resources Form, ESA/Section 7 documentation, and Section 106 cultural resources documentation prepared during design already cover the temporary construction footprint (work bridges, cofferdams, diversions) at the affected crossings, or is the Contractor required to commission new studies to support the NWP 33 application? Reference: Special Provision #35, Section C.1.d-e Question 2: If USACE's review of a complete RRS submittal extends beyond the standard 45-calendar-day period through no fault of the Contractor, is additional contract time granted, or is this schedule risk borne entirely by the Contractor?

-12-
Submitted: Thursday 01-OCT-2026 02:02 PM
Company: Knife River
Contact: Matthew Stafford
Special Provisions #58 Abandon Well. This calls for abandoning three wells that will be in conflict with roadway embankment. Could MDT identify the well IDs for these wells so contractors can better plan for their abandonment? The GIS map lists the following wells near these locations: Well ID # 706716 near STA 239+25, I cannot locate this well in the field. It claims to be a 42” well, if this is true, filling it with bentonite would not be advised due to its diameter and proximity under the new highway. Can the contractor use excavatable CLSM as the plug? Can MDT locate and flag this well? Next; Well ID # 223420 is the nearest well on GIS to STA 321+66 but I believe this ID # is referring to a private well at a nearby home which will not be in conflict with the project. Additionally, Well ID # 334895 is the nearest well on GIS to STA 349+67. This Well ID # also appears to be a private well at another nearby home not in conflict. The two wells that need to be abandoned at STA 321+66 & STA 349+67 are easily found in the field adjacent to the highway. Can MDT provide the well information for these wells that are to be abandoned?
Answer
Submitted: Friday 02-OCT-2026 11:27 AM
The following special provision has been revised: ABANDON WELL
The following update to the Road Plans is hereby incorporated into this contract: UPDATED SHEETS 27 & 133
The following update to the Road Cross Sections is hereby incorporated into this contract: UPDATED SHEET 34
The quantity for bid item 202020358 ABANDON WELL is hereby changed to 2 EACH
An amendment will be issued, and updated bid files will be posted.

No well logs were located for the existing wells at stations 321+66 and 349+67.

-13-
Submitted: Friday 02-OCT-2026 02:23 PM
Company: Montana Fence
Contact: Jacob Wutke
For Item 607100005 – Special Design A – the fencing is 39" high woven wire (WW as shown in Std. Det. No. 607-00, without the barb wire and set 42" high. The posts are to be spaced and 10' on center per the landowner’s right-of-way agreement.
For Item 607100007 – Special Design B – the fencing is 48" high woven wire (type FW – 48" WW, without the barb wire) with 8' post spacing.
For item 607100395 – Fence Panel Special Design-Double, there is to be no change in spacing or configuration to the double panels over the standard details 607-05 & 607-10, except it will be using the 39" WW set at the requested height. Can You please Specify wood or metal

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Submitted: Tuesday 29-SEP-2026 07:07 AM
Company: HighMark Traffic Services
Contact: Brad Meyer
The plans call out for 2 applications of paint but only one application in the quantities. Please clarify.
Answer
Submitted: Wednesday 30-SEP-2026 09:00 AM
There should be two applications of interim pavement markings.
Bid item STRIPING – WHITE PAINT (620 013 000) is hereby increased to 667 GAL
Bid item STRIPING – YELLOW PAINT (620 014 000) is hereby increased to 533 GAL
Plan sheet 8 has been updated: UPDATED SHEET 8

An amendment will be issued, and updated bid files will be posted.

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Submitted: Tuesday 29-SEP-2026 07:46 AM
Company: Martin Construction Inc
Contact: Jim Ouldhouse
What is the desired specification for the special borrow used for the construction of the crossovers? Is there a specific gradation for special borrow.
Answer
Submitted: Tuesday 29-SEP-2026 11:09AM
Provide Special Borrow for the crossovers meeting Standard Specification 701.12 and table 701-25 Sub excavation.  Material should be an A1-a, 100% passing the 6" sieve, and 8% max on the #200.

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Submitted: Friday 11-SEP-2026 08:38 AM
Company: Riverside Contracting
Contact: Clinton Habel
Would the department allow commercial mix 3/4 IN as an option for the bridge ends? This would allow the cross over plant mix and bridge end plant mix to be the same size material.
Answer
Submitted: Monday 14-SEP-2026 02:07PM
3/8" mix will be required as stated in the plans.

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Submitted: Wednesday 16-SEP-2026 04:17 PM
Company: Knife River
Contact: Van Hildreth
Crossovers - What special borrow specification will be used?
Answer
Submitted: Tuesday 22-SEP-2026 02:44PM
Provide Special Borrow for the crossovers meeting Standard Specification 701.12 and table 701-25 Sub excavation.  Material should be an A1-a, 100% passing the 6" sieve, and 8% max on the #200.

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Submitted: Thursday 01-OCT-2026 01:30 PM
Company: Mountain West Holding Co
Contact: Chris Connors
The project requires addition of approach guardrail terminal sections that would be necessary for two-way traffic in the crossover secetions. The guardrail summary also requires bridge approaches that would be necessary for two-way traffic, but they can not be installed permanently until after the bridge and approach roadway work is complete. Temporary guardrail, terminals, and bridge approaches need to be added to the project in areas that will have two-way traffic prior to the new roadway work getting completed.

No Questions available for this project.

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Submitted: Monday 28-SEP-2026 12:01 PM
Company: United Materials of Great Falls, Inc.
Contact: David Anderson
Typically, chip seal projects like this include a line item for final sweep and broom. Is there a reason final sweep and broom is not included in this contract?
Answer
Submitted: Tuesday 29-SEP-2026 03:10PM
Bid Item 409 000 000 FINAL SWEEP AND BROOM, Qty 15.2 CRMI, will be added by amendment.

Plan Set has been updated and can be found here:  UPDATED PLAN SET

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

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Submitted: Tuesday 29-SEP-2026 11:05 AM
Company: Riverside Contracting, Inc.
Contact: George Shick
Can MDT clarify what will be required under the contractor survey and layout bid item for this project? Striping is the only items that needs marked and that is typically done with chip tabs.
Answer
Submitted: Tuesday 29-SEP-2026 02:20PM
Special Provision #6 Contractor Surveying and Layout is hereby removed from the contract.
Bid Item #105 070 000 CONTRACTOR SURVEY AND LAYOUT is hereby removed from the contract.
An amendment will be issued, updated bid files will be posted.

-1-
Submitted: Tuesday 29-SEP-2026 03:30 PM
Company: Riverside Contracting, Inc.
Contact: George Shick
Can MDT clarify what will be required under the contractor survey and layout bid item for this project? Striping is the only items that needs marked and that is typically done with chip tabs.
Answer
Submitted: Wednesday 30-SEP-2026 07:48 AM
Special Provision #6 Contractor Surveying and Layout is hereby removed from the contract.
Bid Item #105 070 000 CONTRACTOR SURVEY AND LAYOUT is hereby removed from the contract.
An amendment will be issued, updated bid files will be posted.

-1-
Submitted: Tuesday 29-SEP-2026 10:09 AM
Company: Mountain West Holding Co
Contact: Chris Connors
Does the work including traffic control, as needed and approved by the EPM, to mitigate traffic conflicts with intersections and the railroad crossing get paid as Traffic Control Devices-CB?
Answer
Submitted: Friday 02-OCT-2026 09:25 AM
Include all traffic control for ramp detours and the traffic control specified in Special Provision #4, under the Traffic Control – Ramp Crossover bid item. Traffic control needed to mitigate conflicts at intersections and the railroad crossing will be paid under Traffic Control Devices – CB.

No Questions available for this project.

No Questions available for this project.

No Questions available for this project.

No Questions available for this project.

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Submitted: Saturday 26-SEP-2026 10:11 AM
Company: Riverside Contracting, Inc.
Contact: George Shick
(1) What Special Borrow specification will MDT require?
(2) On sheet No. 25 is shows an uncolored conc. transition between the 3" median cap and asphalt. What color and pattern will be required for the 3" concrete?

-2-
Submitted: Saturday 26-SEP-2026 10:45 AM
Company: Riverside Contracting, Inc.
Contact: George Shick
The grade raise typical sections No. 12, 13, and 14 show full removal of existing asphalt and may require traffic on subgrade during construction. Can MDT add a traffic gravel bid item? Additionally the rest of the project will require safety slope material along the sawcut asphalt edges, can this material be covered under traffic gravel or will it be incidental to other bid items?
Answer
Submitted: Friday 02-OCT-2026 01:31 PM
The following bid item is hreby added to this contract:
301 020 268 – TRAFFIC GRAVEL – 300.0 CUYD
Sheet 16 has been updated to reflect this change: UPDATED SHEET 16
Material for areas that require safety slope will be incidental to the CAC.
An amendment will be issued, and updated bid files will be posted.

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Submitted: Friday 25-SEP-2026 05:11 PM
Company: Riverside Contracting, Inc.
Contact: George Shick
Can MDT post the design files, dirt run, and any additional geotechnical information?
Answer
Submitted: Thursday 01-OCT-2026 10:34AM
Dirt run files are not available for this project.

The design files for the requested project are posted here:  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 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 REPORTS

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Submitted: Friday 25-SEP-2026 11:06 AM
Company: SolarMax LED Inc.
Contact: Odalis Oliva
Can you please confirm if there would be an opportunity to submit lighting fixtures for review and pre-approval? Or will proposed fixtures be evaluated and approved after bid opening?
Answer
Submitted: Monday 28-SEP-2026 08:10 AM
Submittals for materials will not be reviewed or pre-approved prior to Contract award. Ensure all lighting materials meet MDT’s Standard Specifications, Special Provision #9 Domestic Materials Requirements, and Special Provision #26 High Efficacy Luminaire LED.

-1-
Submitted: Friday 02-OCT-2026 12:58 PM
Company: Blessed Remodeling LLC
Contact: Dakota Stewart
We are reviewing the concrete scope for Call 206, Contract 26R26. Please clarify the following coordinated drawing and proposal items before pricing:
1. Proposal item 608010018 carries 1,471.00 SQYD of Sidewalk-Special Design. Plan sheet 39's thickened-edge location table is labeled in linear feet; its 13 rows sum to the printed 1,434.9 subtotal, but the table then prints a 1,471.0 total. The adjacent thickened-edge detail also says it is included in the unit price for 4-inch concrete sidewalk. Please identify the governing unit, quantity and payment item for those locations, explain the total adjustment, and confirm whether any area overlaps the ordinary 4-inch sidewalk quantity. Please provide a corrected schedule/detail if needed.
2. Proposal Section I page 5 says to limit sidewalk preparation to a minimum of 1,000 linear feet at any one time, then prohibits additional preparation until the new sidewalk is constructed and open. Please confirm the intended active-work limit and whether minimum is intended rather than maximum.
3. The Project Specific Agreement, Section II page 18 of 21, incorporates an MOU dated May 2, 2025. The attached MOU signature page, Section II page 17 of 21, shows May/June 2020 signatures. Please provide the governing May 2025 MOU or confirm the intended incorporated agreement, including the current Indian Preference compliance contact. We are not assuming a waiver of any reservation requirement.
4. For this contract, please identify whether the A or B measurement/payment provisions of June 2026 specifications 608.04/608.05 and 609.04/609.05 apply. The schedule separately carries street excavation and crushed aggregate course; please clarify which sidewalk/curb excavation and base quantities are included in those items versus the concrete unit prices so the same work is not priced twice.

No Questions available for this project.