DATE: June 4, 2019
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Huntington Lake Road - Slope Repair - Beaver Slide Area
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
Adopt Budget Resolution increasing the FY 2018-19 appropriations for the Public Works and Planning - Roads Org 4510 in the amount of $800,000 for the emergency repair of a section of Huntington Lake Road located three-quarters of a mile north of the town of Big Creek. (4/5 vote).
REPORT
Approval of the recommended action will allow the Department of Public Works and Planning to proceed with an emergency repair of a slope failure on a section of Huntington Lake Road (Road) north of the town of Big Creek. On May 7, 2019, the Board found the Road to be a critical route for emergency response and evacuation serving the town of Big Creek and Huntington Lake Basin, warranting the suspension of the competitive bidding process for road repair. This item pertains to a location in District 5.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Your Board could choose not to make the emergency road repairs.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no increase in Net County Cost associated with the recommended action. The emergency road repair will be funded using available fund balance in Road Fund 0010; the recommended budget resolution will increase appropriations in the amount of $800,000 to the Department’s FY 2018-19 Roads Org 4510.
DISCUSSION:
Huntington Lake Road from the town of Big Creek up to the community surrounding Shaver Lake is an essential evacuation route during fire season. The section of the Road just north of the town of Big Creek experienced a slope failure in 2017. At that time, the Department of Public Works and Planning performed a minor repair of the roadway that was sufficient to safely allow public traffic. In March 2019, the Department inspected the area of the slope failure and noted that the 2017 repair had degraded to a point that it did not appear to be safe for vehicular travel.
The Department contracted with a local firm to provide a limited engineering geologic reconnaissance and opinion on the slope failure. The opinion was received on April 24, 2019 and confirmed that “…considering the limited width of the road, the steepness of the descending slope, and the undermining of the asphaltic concrete berm, it is our opinion that the road surface does not provide adequate reliable support for vehicles at this time. It is also our opinion that there is a high potential for further advancement of the slide surface below the road due to sliding and erosion, and additional rockfall and slope failure to occur above the roadway.”
On May 7, 2019, the Board of Supervisors approved the proclamation of emergency road repair and waived the competitive bidding process so that the repair could be expedited, targeting repair completion prior to the peak of the fire season, in July.
On May 15, 2019, the Department along with District 5 Supervisor Magsig and representatives from Fresno County Sheriff’s Office, Department of Public Health, California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, California Office of Emergency Services, Southern California Edison and U.S. Department of Agriculture - High Sierra Ranger District met in the town of Big Creek. There were approximately 60 residents in attendance who expressed their concerns.
On May 20, 2019, the Department received a phased work proposal from the contractor of approximately $800,000 for the needed repairs. The duration of work is anticipated for seven weeks, pending weather related or unforeseen delays.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #17.1, May 7, 2019
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Location Map
On file with Clerk - Resolution (Org 4510)
CAO ANALYST:
Sonia M. De La Rosa