Site work for a bridge / tunnel in Toutle, Washington. Conceptual plans call for site work for a bridge / tunnel.

The Cowlitz County Department of Public Works (County) solicits interest from consulting firms with expertise in Civil, Geotechnical, Environmental and Structural Engineering Design for the Preliminary Engineering Phase of the Gilmore Road Culvert Replacement Project. This agreement will be for approximately 24 months in duration with the option for the County to extend it for additional time and money if necessary. The County plans to enter into a professional services negotiated hourly rate consultant agreement with the selected firm. The County may choose to supplement the agreement for future phases (Right of Way, Construction). This project has federal funds from the Federal Highway Administration's (FHWA) Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Formula Program funding. This project has a Mandatory Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBE) goal of 16%. Additionally, payment reporting in the Diversity Management and Compliance System (DMCS) will be a requirement of this consultant agreement. The funding is administered by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT). Cowlitz County will be following the requirements of the WSDOT Local Agency Guidelines manual including Chapter 31 consultant requirements and agreement forms. The County reserves the right to amend terms of this ""Request for Qualifications"" (RFQ) to circulate various addenda, or to withdraw the RFQ at any time, regardless of how much time and effort consultants have spent on their responses. Project Description: The work to be performed by the CONSULTANT consists of preparing civil, structural, geotechnical and environmental engineering design and permitting for replacement of the culvert on Gilmore Road at milepost 0.14. The work also includes providing engineering support during construction. The proposed project includes replacing the existing concrete box culvert with a new structure that meets the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife requirements for fish passage. The new structure shall be long enough to support a 24-foot-wide paved road to meet County standards for a rural local access. Included in the project will be streambed restoration and riparian plantings in the vicinity of the culverts and reconstruction of the roadway approaches. The County will provide the topographic survey, boilerplate specifications, and pavement section. The County will be responsible for developing right of way plans, obtaining appraisals and negotiating for easement acquisition and for project bidding and award. The major features of the project are as follows: Remove the existing culvert; Wetland and ordinary high-water delineation; Geotechnical engineering to determine subsurface conditions and to develop foundation recommendations; Environmental documentation and preparation of permit applications for all federal, state and local permits (NEPA/SEPA/Critical Areas/Shorelines); Hydraulic design of the water crossing structure openings; Determining 100-year flood water surface elevations; Structural Design of the new water crossing structures; Temporary traffic control including any necessary temporary traffic bypass roads. Special Provisions: Wetland mitigation bank use plan; Construction support including submittal review, responses to requests for information, and site inspections of key construction items. Construction is planned for 2026 with an advertisement date of February 2026. The County is a member of the Regional Rural Road Maintenance Program of the Endangered Species Act 4(d). There is a wetland mitigation bank currently available for mitigation credits for any project wetland or riparian area impacts. Any questions regarding this project should be directed to Ron Boursaw, at 360-577-3030 ext 6530 or by e-mail - boursawr@cowlitzwa.gov. The consultant selection process is expected to be completed by November 21, 2024. A consultant agreement is expected to be executed by December 20, 2024.