SCDOT/CAGC Road Subcommittee Meeting Minutes

December 10, 2009

Attendees:

Marty McKee, Thrift Development Corp.
Casey Schwager, Sloan Construction
Chris David, Sanders Bros.
Sally Paul, SPC, Inc.
Greg Ashmore, Ashmore Bros. Inc.
Stacey Black, Satterfield Const.
Shawn Godwin, Palmetto Corp.
Jamie Kendall, SCDOT
Todd Steagall, SCDOT
Kevin Paxton, SCDOT
Charles Eleazer, SCDOT
Stephanie Arnell, SCDOT
Sammy Hendrix, CAGC

The meeting was called to order by Charles Eleazer with introductions.

Old Business

Update on Seeding Specification

Charles Eleazer reported the updated spec should be ready by the March 2010 letting. There are small changes in the seeding schedule and mulch tables.

Update of Pre-Construction Checklist

This is now on SCDOT extranet. It will also be in the contracts starting with November awards.

There has been a delay in getting the award letters out. Recommendations have to be approved by the Commission which did not meet in October. Those were late going out and we are close to the deadline for the November award letters.

Charles announced the new contract administrator is Susie Lominick.

Update on Engineer's Conference

Sammy Hendrix reported it will be January before the agenda is finalized. The meeting is March 24 – 25, 2010 at the Marriott in Columbia, SC. The registration fee is $100 per person. A dinner will be held the first night for attendees.

This will be how future conferences will be held rather than the Clemson conference.

Update on SCDOT/CAGC Recyling/Reclamation Task Force

This committee is meeting today.

Update fn SCDOT Research Project: Possible New Index Items

Marty McKee reported he was part of a group that met last year with the Lab about indexing items not usually indexed such as cement, steel and fertilizers. A task force was formed. They will look at what DOT needs and get contractor input. Charles provided a handout on potential items to index. The committee will have a web site to survey this information.

New Business

Highway Division Meeting 2010

The meeting dates are June 24 - 27, 2010 and will be held in Myrtle Beach. PDH credits will be available for attendees.

Going Paperless

Marty reported this was discussed at the Joint Committee meeting last month. DOT forms on the intranet that contractors must used need to be put on extranet so contractors have access to them. A Forms Folder was suggested where they can all be available. Charles agrees this is a reasonable request.

Moving of mailboxes on resurfacing projects

Marty McKee brought to DOT's attention situations regarding moving of mailboxes on resurfacing/reconstructing shoulders projects. It appears some have been asked to move mailboxes closer to the road in situations where the mailbox was not originally moved before the work was completed. Charles does not think contractors should have to move any mailboxes closer and should call the DCE if they are asked to do so.

The intent of the spec is not to move closer. Mailboxes are only moved if in conflict with the road work being done.

Stephanie Arnell added in District 3 quantities are increased to pave up to the mailbox to aid in mail delivery as stone has been a problem in the past. Maintenance personnel need to change the contracts and make this statewide.

Other Business

Charles Eleazer reported DOT will have a new safety edge spec in the future to provide a 30 degree bevel on outside edge. This is to avoid a two inch drop off.

Chris Davis noted if paving the shoulder and you have a curb/gutter, equipment has to be removed at this stage and then put back after passing the curb/gutter.

Charles also reported that November resurfacing jobs that are not finished need to submit a cold weather plan as these projects need to be completed as soon as possible.

Next, Charles reported 151 ARRA projects have been let with $286M awarded. Through November 30, $69M of work has been completed. There is $334M obligated leaving $100M+ still to obligated by the April letting.

The Ace Basin project should be awarded after the first of the year.

Marty McKee then reported on EPA. New requirements have been passed for projects after August 2011 changing how storm water runoff is handled. It will require sampling, testing, and treatment of water leaving a project. They are looking at 280 NTU's, but DHEC could change. DOT will be responsible for sampling methods, pipes, ditches, etc. Another question is how water in sediment ponds will be treated.

Even if the water is contaminated before a project starts, it will be up to the contractor to meet the standards.

Chris Davis asked about the new work restriction hours for holidays throughout the year that basically eliminates 7 weeks working time.

Todd Steagall stated this can be reviewed on a case by case basis and some concessions may be made. This mainly deals with interstate work but is being applied to some secondary roads. The district has the right to review and/or enforce. Traffic Engineering has indicated this can be changed depending on the roads.

The next meeting is February 18, 2010 and we will meet in room 303A.