Title
Resolution - A Resolution Authorizing Funding in an Amount Not to Exceed $250,000 and Approval of Contracts, Including Engineering Services with Freese and Nichols, Inc., to Complete the Analysis of the North Street and Walnut Creek Drive Bridges Over Walnut Creek (Street Bond Fund)
Requested Action
Consider the authorization of funding and approval of contracts.
Recommendation
The authorization of funding in an amount not to exceed $250,000 and approval of contracts, including engineering services with Freese and Nichols, Inc., to complete the Walnut Creek Bridges Analysis.
Description/History
This project is a schematic design and creek modeling study of the North Street and Walnut Creek Drive bridges over Walnut Creek. Both locations are subject to inundation by Walnut Creek during fairly frequent storm events. The goal of the study is to provide cost effective design options that will provide flood protection in much more severe storms.
The North Street location is complicated by the Union Pacific Railroad crossing and the skewed angle that both cross Walnut Creek. An additional factor is how to plan for the future linear trail crossing of the creek, the road and the railroad. This study effort will include exploring alternative locations for this route, meetings with Union Pacific, and flood modeling of all alternatives.
The Walnut Creek Drive bridge location will be studied to explore possible construction scenarios of roadway and bridge elevations to provide improved flood protection. This location is complicated by the elevation of the adjoining Magnolia Street and the entrance to Rose Park.
The requested funds are for engineering services with Freese and Nichols, Inc. in the amount of $202,700, an additional 5% engineering fee for potential design scope changes, topographic survey, potential subsurface investigation, and other miscellaneous services, all to be accomplished within a budget of $250,000.
Justification
This project is included in the 2017 Street Bond Fund Capital Plan as a study of North Street. The budget in the Bond Fund is adequate to study both locations. Both existing bridges are in marginal condition and will need continued maintenance or replacement in the near future. Staff has recently been made aware that both locations are potentially eligible for federal Highway Bridge Program funds administered by the Texas Department of Transportation. This funding could be available as early as 2023. It is necessary to conclude a desired scope of project this year to further our discussions with. Freese and Nichols, Inc. has expertise in roadway design, stream modeling, FEMA and Corp of Engineers regulations, and coordination efforts with UPRR and TxDOT; all necessary components of this study.
The Director of Public Works will be in attendance at the meeting to answer Council’s questions regarding the proposed funding and contracts.
Funding Source
Street Bond Fund
Prepared By
Bart VanAmburgh, P.E., Director of Public Works, 817 276-4233