Forest Service seeks small-business bids to rebuild Robinette Road near Hope

The U.S. Forest Service is seeking proposals from small businesses to rebuild 1.54 miles of Robinette Road near Hope, with an option to add road surfacing and grading on the 0.31-mile Robinette Spur.

The solicitation, posted Tuesday, sets proposals due Dec. 4 at 5 pm Pacific time. Questions are due Nov. 20. The contract will go to one small business as a fixed-price award based on price, to the responsible bidder with a reasonable price.

The work is part of the Cripple Creek Vegetation Management project in the Chugach National Forest's Seward Ranger District. The road starts about a quarter mile up Bob Mathewson Lane, which leaves the Hope Highway 17.7 miles from the Seward Highway, according to the plan sheets.

The base contract would get Robinette Road ready for a gravel surface. Crews would clear and grub the full 1.54 miles, cutting back vegetation to leave 14 feet of overhead clearance. They would realign curves and a switchback, strip organic and unsuitable material and haul it to disposal sites in the project area, and place pit-run rock to reinforce soft spots in the roadbed.

The plans call for 12 armored dip crossings, shallow rock-lined dips that carry water across the road, plus building and rebuilding water bars. All disturbed ground and disposal areas must be seeded and mulched.

Rock and seed must come from commercial sources and be certified weed-free. The contractor is responsible for all utility locates, permits and water rights.

Surfacing is the option item. The bid schedule lists 5,300 cubic yards of surfacing among the options, along with grading on Robinette Spur. Without the option, the contract only prepares Robinette Road to be surfaced later.

The work must be finished by Oct. 31, 2027.