Agenda Date: 05/05/2020
Subject:
Title
Resolution 36-2020: Authorizing an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Littleton and the Colorado Department of Transportation for reimbursement of costs associated with the replacement of the South Windermere Street over Highline Canal bridge
Body
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Prepared by: |
Brent Thompson, City Engineer |
PURPOSE:
To approve an Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Littleton and the Colorado Department of Transportation for reimbursement of costs associated with the replacement of the South Windermere Street over Highline Canal bridge.
PRESENTATIONS:
Staff Presenter(s): Brent Thompson, City Engineer
Additional Presenter(s): N/A
SUMMARY:
The South Windermere Street Bridge over the Highline Canal was constructed in 1964. Since that time, the bridge has undergone periodic maintenance and repairs. CDOT conducts biennial inspections on “off-system” bridges, which are non-CDOT owned with span lengths of over 20 feet. The city has 38 bridges that qualify for this inspection. Any structures less than 20 feet in length do not qualify for this program and must be inspected by the city. Bridges are rated on a sufficiency scale of 0 to 100. The 2019 sufficiency rating of this bridge was 49.7. This bridge is considered “structurally deficient.” This does not mean it is at imminent risk of failure, but that it needs to be monitored for continued deterioration.
In addition to being structurally deficient, this bridge is also considered “functionally obsolete,” meaning it does not meet the current functional needs associated with the roadway. The bridge spans the Highline Canal and is immediately adjacent to the regional Highline Canal Trail. The proposed replacement bridge will have a width to match the future cross section of Windermere Street. The new bridge will allow for one through-lane in each direction and include a minimum 5’ sidewalk on both sides of the bridge to accommodate accessibility to the trail.
A federally-funded grant program, administered by CDOT, helps municipalities fund rehabilitation and replacement of structurally deficient and functionally obsolete bridges. Due to this bridge’s sufficiency rating below 50, it is eligible for full replacement. The city applied for and received a partially funded grant for replacement of the South Windermere Street Bridge.
PRIOR ACTIONS OR DISCUSSIONS:
The bridge replacement project has not previously been discussed with city council.
ANALYSIS:
Staff Analysis
The South Windermere Street Bridge has exceeded its useful life. Both the structural and functional capacity of the bridge requires it be replaced. If replacement of the bridge is not undertaken, the structural condition will continue to deteriorate to a point where the bridge is no longer safe for vehicles to pass across and could need to be closed. The CDOT grant program provides the city with the opportunity to undertake this project where city funds alone may otherwise have not been available.
If council approves this resolution, staff will proceed with hiring a consultant to prepare a final design in 2022. Construction of the project is anticipated for the winter of 2023/2024.
Council Goal, Objective, and/or Guiding Principle
This project meets Goal 2: Financial Sustainability/Objective 4: Identifying, assessing and prioritizing long-term capital needs through its inclusion in the 5-Year Capital Improvement Program. The Public Works Department continues to evaluate all infrastructure assets in an effort to proactively maintain and replace aging assets. This project further meets Goal 2: Financial Sustainability/Objective 5: Identifying, assessing and prioritizing funding for capital needs by leveraging grant funds through CDOT.
Fiscal Impacts
The cost estimate for replacement of this bridge is $1,855,000 plus $300,000 for design. Based on funding availability with CDOT/CML, partial funding was received in the amount of $1,550,647.50. The grant provides for 80% federal funding ($1,240,518.00) and 20% local agency match ($310,129.50). Design of this project is estimated at $300,000 and will be programmed in the Capital Improvement Plan for 2022. Construction costs are estimated at $1,855,000 and will be programmed in 2023. Total estimated city costs for this project are $914,482. Sufficient funding exists within the Capital Project Fund and specifically the funding for street maintenance.
Alternatives
Should this agreement not be approved, the city would not be able to fund this project on its own. The 5-year Capital Improvement Program currently has a $10M shortfall. Leveraging grant funds for safety projects such as this is critical. Temporary repairs could continue to be made to this bridge, but those repairs will extend the life of the bridge only so far. Eventually replacement is inevitable.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the Intergovernmental Agreement.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to approve the resolution authorizing the Intergovernmental Agreement between the City of Littleton and the Colorado Department of Transportation for reimbursement of costs associated with the replacement of the South Windermere Street over Highline Canal bridge.