Title
Resolution - A Resolution Authorizing the City to Enter Into an Advance Funding Agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation for Local Government Contributions to the Lone Star Road Bridges at US Highway 287 Project for Decorative Iron Safety Railings and Authorizing Funding in the Amount of $150,000.00 (Street Bond Fund)
Requested Action
Consider the Resolution approving the Advance Funding Agreement and authorizing funding.
Recommendation
Approval of the Resolution.
Description/History
The Texas Department of Transportation has undertaken the project to add frontage roads to US Highway 287 between the Union Pacific Railroad and Lone Star Road. The project also includes new bridges at Lone Star Road to accommodate the ultimate widening of Lone Star Road. During design, Mansfield staff requested TxDOT add decorative iron safety railings to the sides of the bridge to match the railings that exist on the Broad Street and Walnut Creek Drive bridges at US 287 and the Heritage Parkway bridge over the railroad. The TxDOT standard for railings would be a much lower galvanized single or double rail. Staff believes it is important to match the railings we have been specifying on other bridges over US 287 for consistency and aesthetics, and that the iron fencing is a safer rail for pedestrians. Upon completion of design, TxDOT estimates the added cost to be $150,000 and is requiring the City to contribute this amount to the project cost through an Advance Funding Agreement. This is a common practice between the State and municipalities and Mansfield has entered into many of these cost participation agreements with TxDOT in the past.
Mansfield staff also requested street lighting on the bridges as that was not originally included in the design. TxDOT agreed to add lighting at their cost.
The US 287 project design is nearing completion and TxDOT still lists a bid date of August 2021 with construction starting in early 2022. Mansfield is still working on the design of utility relocations for water and sewer lines that must be moved to facilitate the frontage road construction.
Justification
Staff believes it is important to match the railings we have specified on other bridges over US 287 for consistency, aesthetics, and enhanced safety. The State has funded the design of these improvements and agrees to cover any cost overruns.
The Director of Public Works will be in attendance at the meeting to answer Council’s questions.
Funding Source
Street Bond Fund
Prepared By
Bart VanAmburgh, P.E.
Director of Public Works