2016-07-28_PERMIT FILE - M2016010 (2)

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NORWEST ENGINEERING EVALUATION OF LTC ROAD DULY 28,2016 COR PORAT ION PAGE 8 OF 10 Rock falls are typically triggered by natural causes including mechanical or chemical weathering, erosion, precipitation, and freeze/thaw cycles (CGS, 2008). Human activities, including blasting, can cause rock to fall earlier than they would naturally (CGS, 2008). The instability and resulting fall remains a natural occurrence,and the rock fall will eventually happen;thus,the blasting operation is not the root cause of the rock fall. Also, the Blasting Plan requires the road be secured during the blasting operations and peak vibrations limited and monitored to prevent damage to structures. The road from each gate to the operation will be inspected following each blast. Should a rock fall occur, regardless of the cause, Transit Mix will have equipment available to clear rocks off the road. Collisions between rock and cars typically occur when a car runs into a rock already on the road; however, rocks falling onto cars are rare(CGS,2008). Also, cars running into rocks on the road require the car to be travelling at a rate of speed where it cannot stop before colliding with the rock. The conditions at the project area do not allow for these speeds. As previously mentioned, the road will be secured during blasting operations and a rock falling onto a car cannot occur. Consequently, future rock falls are likely to occur on Little Turkey Creek Road, but they will be a continuation of the ongoing processes already occurring and any collision between a car and rock would be extremely rare. Wear and Tear by Heavy Loads Potential Problem: Gravel roads can perform well if traffic consists of light vehicles, but the road can fail if it is travelled by heavy loads, particularly during wet conditions(FHWA,2015). Solution: The quarry design includes plans to build a separate access road so that no heavy equipment associated with the quarry will travel Little Turkey Creek Road. Quarry traffic on Little Turkey Creek Road will be limited to light vehicles(i.e.one-ton or less pick-up trucks)and generally for the purpose of securing the road before blasting occurs and inspecting the road following each blast. Intersections with Access Roads Potential Problem: The quarry access roads will require an intersection on both the Little Turkey Creek and Deadman Creek segments of Little Turkey Creek Road. These intersections could impact the safety and ease of use of the road. Solution: The intersection and crossing of Little Turkey Creek will be established during the initial quarry development and last through the life of the quarry. The intersection and crossing of Deadman Creek will be established once mining commences in the North Pit Extension area,and the intersection will be removed and reclaimed when mining and reclamation is finished in this area. Both intersections will be at-grade crossings equipped with stop signs for mine traffic. Traffic on Little Turkey Creek Road will not be required to stop. Establishing the intersection requires realigning Little Turkey Creek Road for approximately 400