Title
a. Approve a Pedestrian Bridge Crossing Agreement between the Union Pacific Railroad Company, a Delaware corporation, and Monterey County, a political subdivision of the State of California, in the amount of $9,000 for rights sufficient to allow Monterey County to perform the project work, including a Public Pedestrian Easement, and $11,000.00 for a Temporary Construction Easement for Right-of-Way for the construction of Castroville Bicycle/Pedestrian Path and Railroad Crossing Project, Project No. 8622;
b. Authorize the Resource Management Agency-Director of Public Works to execute the Pedestrian Bridge Crossing Agreement and amendments to the Agreement that do not exceed 10% of the original contract amount and do not significantly change the scope of work; and
c. Authorize the Resource Management Agency-Director of Public Works to accept the Public Pedestrian Easement Deed and to execute the Certificate of Acceptance and Consent to Recordation on behalf of Monterey County after the deed has been signed and granted by the Union Pacific Railroad Company.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Approve a Pedestrian Bridge Crossing Agreement between the UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY, a Delaware corporation, and Monterey County, a political subdivision of the State of California, in the amount of $9,000 for rights sufficient to allow Monterey County to perform the project work, including a Public Pedestrian Easement, and $11,000.00 for a Temporary Construction Easement for Right-of-Way for the construction of Castroville Bicycle/Pedestrian Path and Railroad Crossing Project, Project No. 8622;
b. Authorize the Resource Management Agency-Director of Public Works to execute the Pedestrian Bridge Crossing Agreement and amendments to the agreement that do not exceed 10% of the original contract amount and do not significantly change the scope of work; and
c. Authorize the Resource Management Agency-Director of Public Works to accept the Public Pedestrian Easement Deed and to execute the Certificate of Acceptance and Consent to Recordation on behalf of Monterey County after the deed has been signed and granted by the Union Pacific Railroad Company.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The approval of the Pedestrian Bridge Crossing Agreement (Agreement) between the UNION PACIFIC RAILROAD COMPANY, a Delaware corporation (UPRR), and Monterey County, a political subdivision of the State of California, (County) is required for the construction of the Castroville Bicycle/Pedestrian Path and Railroad Crossing Project, Project No. 8622 (Project). The Agreement provides for the purchase of the Public Pedestrian Easement and Temporary Construction Easement that are required for Right-of-Way for the Project. Construction of the Project will provide a bicycle trail and pedestrian path with a bridge over the Union Pacific Railroad. The bicycle/pedestrian path will connect the existing bicycle path on Castroville Boulevard to McDougall Street in Castroville. The Project will provide a safe route for bicycle/pedestrian use in Castroville and North Monterey County.
The proposed bicycle/pedestrian path with bridge will have an 8 foot paved width for the path and a 12 foot width for the bicycle/pedestrian bridge over the UPRR. The bridge will be a concrete box girder bridge with eleven spans at a total length of 1,170 feet. The proposed bridge will be 24 feet above the UPRR tracks.
The purpose and need for the Project is to provide a convenient and safe railroad crossing for bicyclists and pedestrians, especially school-aged children attending Elkhorn Elementary School and North Monterey County High School, keeping them off of the Union Pacific Railroad track and State Route 156. Currently, pedestrians and bicyclists are unlawfully crossing the UPRR track. The proposed Project would provide convenient, safe, and legal access to, and continuity, with an existing Class I bicycle and pedestrian path that commences at Castroville Boulevard. School-aged children can then continue onto North Monterey High School and Elkhorn Elementary School from Castroville.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of the County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Pedestrian Bridge Crossing Agreement, Temporary Construction Easement, and Public Pedestrian Easement Deed, as to form and legality. The Right-of-Way of the project will be funded by the Federal Highway Administration (FHA) - Earmark Grade Crossing Funds (80%) and Transportation Development Act Funds (20%); and conducted by Monterey County Resource Management Agency (RMA) - Public Works with oversight by the Caltrans Office of Local Assistance.
FINANCING:
There is no impact to the General Fund. The Pedestrian Bridge Crossing Agreement with UPRR includes the payment to UPRR of $20,000 for the grant of rights for the Project, the Temporary Construction Easement, and Public Pedestrian Easement. Complete funding has been authorized for design, environmental, right-of-way and construction costs. The County has secured FHA Earmark Grade Crossing Funds, State Transportation Enhancement (TE), State Transportation Improvement Program (STIP) Funds (construction only), Transportation Development Act (TDA), Capital Funds, and Active Transportation Program (ATP) grants. The total funding sources have earmarked $9,643,000 for this project of which the County has secured $9,303,000 of funding. At this time we anticipate the cost to be $9,187,021, as identified in the attached Project Budget. The right-of-way acquisition will be funded from TDA funds.
Prepared by: Douglas Poochigian, P. E., 831-755-4888
Approved by: Robert K, Murdoch, P.E., RMA - Director of Public Works
Approved by: Carl P. Holm, RMA Director
Dated: October 30, 2015
Attachments: Project Budget; Pedestrian Bridge Crossing Agreement; Public Pedestrian Easement Deed and Certificate of Acceptance and Consent to Recordation; Location Map (Attachments on file with the Clerk of the Board)