USDA FS Lake Como Project
Project completed December 2011
Working with the U.S. Forest Service (USFS) and the Western Transportation Institute at Montana State University (WTI/MSU), the Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is supporting and coordinating an innovative pilot project using an environmentally friendly concrete to construct a boat ramp at the Lake Como Recreation Area in the Bitterroot National Forest.
The Department of Environmental Quality recently offered a bid solicitation for construction of a new boat ramp at Lake Como. The ramp will be made entirely from a fly ash concrete mix.
Based on criteria in the solicitation documents, a contract has been awarded. Due to high water levels at the lake this summer, a work schedule for the project remains to be determined.
This work is being conducted under the 2009 American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) as part of research to develop new applications for coal ash. The contract is for $165,328. A goal is for greater quantities of fly ash to be recycled in more valuable ways.
The Bitterroot National Forest’s ability to handle boat traffic at this site will be enhanced by the addition of a 19-by-300-foot boat ramp next to the existing ramp. The Bitterroot National Forest and the USFS are administered by U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).
This new concrete uses fly ash as the sole binding agent, rather than traditional Portland cement. The manufacture of Portland cement is a resource and energy intensive process. Fly ash, on the other hand, is abundantly available as a byproduct of coal-fired electricity generation.
The properties of this new concrete have been extensively researched by WTI/MSU over the past 10 years. Based on this work, fly ash concrete has been used in a variety of pilot projects across the state.
In this project, WTI/MSU will develop specific mixture designs appropriate to the application, determine the engineering properties of the mixtures (strength and durability), and investigate some environmental concerns that have been raised. Based on past work, it is expected the material will be found suitable for this application. Following this work, WTI/MSU will assist and consult with the batch plant managers to produce a trial production of concrete mix for the boat ramp. At the project site, WTI/MSU will build the formwork, assemble the reinforcing steel, and place, finish, and cure the concrete for the boat ramp.
The DEQ, in addition to supporting and coordinating the pilot project, has developed the research contract origination and administration for fly ash concrete lab and field investigation. The DEQ is offering design review, engineering design management, and requisition of services. DEQ is also providing the construction contract scope origination for earth work and fly ash concrete batch and placement.
The DEQ is satisfying the financial management of the USDA ARRA accounting requirements via effective internal controls. DEQ is in the process of advertising an FFP (firm, fixed price) construction contract bid process for the dirt work and batching of the material to be used in the project. DEQ, through partnerships established as part of this project, will educate and provide outreach to inform the public and related professional organizations of the “green construction” opportunities afforded by this demonstration project.
Last updated: 08/23/2011
