DATE: January 12, 2021
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Retroactive Wireline Crossing Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad for the American Avenue - State Route 99 to Temperance Avenue Road Improvement Project
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Approve and authorize the Chairman to execute a retroactive Wireline Crossing Agreement No. 03237-86 with Union Pacific Railroad Company and authorize the Director of Public Works and Planning to execute any amendments the Director deems necessary subject to the review and approval of County Counsel and the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer-Tax Collector for the construction of the American Avenue - State Route 99 to Temperance Avenue Road Improvement Project effective retroactively to November 18, 2020 with no specified termination date ($3,000).
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will authorize the Chairman to execute a retroactive Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) to construct an overhead wireline at American Avenue and Golden State Boulevard (Golden State) as part of the reconstruction project and allow the Director of Public Works and Planning (Director) to execute any amendments necessary to the Agreement subject to a maximum of $3,000 without returning to the Board. It should be noted, the amendments are subject to review and approval of County Counsel and the Auditor-Controller/Treasurer-Tax Collector (ACTTC). This item pertains a location in District 4.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If the recommended action is not approved, the project could be delayed. If your Board does not grant the Director additional authority to execute amendments to the Agreement, additional time and costs could be added to the project, and the risk of not meeting funding deadlines would increase.
RETROACTIVE AGREEMENT:
The license agreement is retroactive to November 18, 2020, the date it was received from UPRR and must be returned within six months of that date. This item is coming before your Board on the first available Board date within agenda item processing deadlines. UPRR will sign the agreement once the County executes the Agreement and includes payment of $3,000.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. Up to 80% ($2,400) of the costs of this Agreement will be reimbursed by the Federal High Priority Project Demonstration program. The local match of 20% ($600) will be paid from the County’s Senate Bill-1 allocation. Sufficient appropriations for this project are included in the FY 2020-21 Public Works and Planning - Roads Org 4510 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION:
The American Avenue Reconstruction project consists, in general, of realigning and signalizing the intersection of American Avenue and Golden State and the UPRR crossing as well as reconstructing approximately 1.4 miles of American Avenue from SR99 to Clovis Avenue, and placing an asphalt concrete overlay on two miles of road from Clovis Avenue to Temperance Avenue. The realignment and signalization of the intersection will improve safety at the UPRR crossing just east of the intersection by increasing sight and stacking distances. Currently, the grade difference from the easterly edge of pavement of Golden State to the top-of-rail elevation at the adjacent crossing (approximately three feet) creates an abrupt break in the centerline grade of American Avenue. The eastern approach to Golden State is indirect, narrow, and confusing to drivers. At the westbound approach, semi-trucks do not have enough room to stop at the stop sign without their trailers sitting on top of the railroad tracks. Current geometry does not allow a simple fix for this situation.
The Department has been working with UPRR for the past several years to coordinate the design of the railroad crossing improvements with the signal improvements. The project involves relocating a power pole that encroaches on the reconstruction area that changes the location of the overhead electric wireline across the railroad tracks. This recommended Agreement covers the County’s use of the Railroad Company’s right of way to construct an overhead electric wireline crossing at Mile Post 211.81. Although no amendments to the license agreement are anticipated, the Director’s authority to execute any necessary amendments subject to a maximum of $3,000 and review by Counsel and ACTTC, would save time, reduce project delays, and increase efficiency by eliminating the requirement to return to the Board. It is anticipated that the traffic signalization portion of the project will be advertised and awarded in 2021, while the road reconstruction and overlay will be constructed at a later date.
OTHER REVIEWING AGENCIES:
Caltrans Provides Oversight where Federal funds are allocated.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #83, December 15, 2020
BAI #27 September 22, 2020
BAI #8 September 1, 2020
BAI #56 December 4, 2018
BAI #51 December 5, 2017
BAI #62 July 11, 2017
BAI #56, May 16, 2017
BAI #15, June 20, 2017
BAI #40, #42 December 6, 2016
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Location Map
On file with Clerk - Agreement with UPRR
CAO ANALYST:
Samantha Buck