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HomeMy WebLinkAboutAgenda Report - October 3, 2018 H-01CITY OF LODI COUNCIL COMMUNICATION AGENDA ITEM H -I TM AGENDA TITLE: Receive Direction Regarding Possible Purchase of Existing State Route 99/Union Pacific Railroad Bridge from Union Pacific Railroad for Future Bike/Pedestrian Pathway MEETING DATE: October 3, 2018 PREPARED BY: Public Works Director RECOMMENDED ACTION: Receive direction regarding possible purchase of existing State Route 99/Union Pacific Railroad Bridge from Union Pacific Railroad for future bike/pedestrian pathway. BACKGROUND INFORMATION: The California Department of Transportation (CalTrans) is currently designing a project to raise two vehicle bridges and remove one abandoned railroad bridge that cross State Route 99 (SR99) within Lodi. The purpose of the project is to increase the bridge to road surface clearance height to accommodate larger State Transportation Assistance Act (STAA) trucks along the corridor. The proposed CalTrans construction project will include raising the two vehicle bridge structures (Lockeford Street and Victor Road), removal of the abandoned railroad bridge currently owned by Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR), located between the Lockeford Street and Victor Road crossings (Exhibit A), and realigning the northbound ramp at SR99 and Victor Road. This work is scheduled to take place within the next 12 to 18 months. The City's current Bicycle Master Plan establishes multiple bike corridors to access the areas east of SR99. One of the corridors, identified is a Class I bike/pedestrian pathway, incorporates the abandoned Kentucky House Branch (KHB) Railroad corridor, and the abandoned UPRR railroad bridge (Exhibit B). This corridor has also been referred to as the Rails to Trails Project. Other east/west corridors over SR99 that are identified in the Bicycle Master Plan include Pine Street and Lockeford Street. UPRR has indicated the cost to purchase the KHB right-of-way would be approximately $350,000 per acre. At this price, land cost alone would exceed $2,000,000. Funding to purchase the right-of-way and construct a Class I bike/pedestrian pathway has not been available. Prior to CalTrans removing the abandoned railroad bridge (Exhibit C), they must first purchase the bridge from UPRR. Caltrans is currently exploring the City's interest to purchase the bridge (instead of CalTrans) from UPRR in order to preserve the structure for the future bike/pedestrian pathway. While there has been no discussion between the City and UPRR regarding price, CalTrans staff indicates the purchase price would be approximately $10,000. If the City were to purchase the bridge structure, CalTrans would raise the structure, at their cost, with their current project outlined above. CalTrans cautions that, while the purchase price seems quite reasonable, in their experience, there are additional expenses to consider, such as environmental assessments, soil testing, lead paint testing, and engineering studies, that can easily exceed $30,000. These costs are in addition to the bridge purchase price. APPROVED: Step K:\WP\PROJECTS\STREETS\UPRR_SR99 bridge\CC_purchase info_10-3-18.doc City Manager 9/25/2018 Receive Direction Regarding Possible Purchase of Existing State Route 99/Union Pacific Railroad Bridge from Union Pacific Railroad for Future Bike/Pedestrian Pathway October 3, 2018 Page 2 If the City does purchase the bridge, the City will assume all liability and maintenance responsibilities associated with owning a bridge structure crossing a state highway. To limit the liability, the City will be required to secure the bridge structure from public access until funding to construct the Class I bike/pedestrian facility comes to fruition. Properly maintaining an aged railroad bridge and keeping up with the security requirements would be a substantial undertaking for City forces. Considering the environmental and long term liability exposures, anticipated maintenance costs, the City's current financial position, and the availability of alternative bike/pedestrian highway crossings, Staff does not recommend purchasing the bridge structure. Staff has communicated with Bike Lodi regarding the purchase of the bridge. The Bike Lodi group supports Staff's recommendation. FISCAL IMPACT: FUNDING AVAILABLE: Purchase of the bridge structure will require the City to assume significant liability exposure and long term maintenance costs. Not Applicable. IQs Charles E. Swimle, Jr. Public Works Director Prepared by Charles E. Swimley, Jr., Public Works Director CES/CES/tdb Attachments K:\WP\PROJECTS\STREETS\UPRR_SR99 bridge\CC_purchase info_10-3-18.doc 9/25/2018 lllllllll 280 0 140 280 Feet NAD_1 983 StatePlane California IIIF I PS_0403_Feet © City of Lodi Geographic Information Systems • This map is a user generated static output from an Internet mapping site and is for reference only. Data layers that appear on this map may or may not be accurate, current, or otherwise reliable. THIS MAP IS NOT TO BE USED FOR NAVIGATION Legend 2008 Apr 6 inch ▪ Red: Band_1 . Green: Band_2 . Blue: Band_3 Notes WOOOBfUDOE ND ity of Lodi PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT ! I I 1 I I I -10444,34. L c®rturrKIM T 1 Figure 3 EXISTING & PROPOSED BICYCLE SYSTEM LEGEND a CLASS I BIKE LANES (EXISTING) CLASS II BIKE LANES (EXISTING) — — — CLASS III BIKE ROUTES (EXISTING) CLASS I BIKE PATHS (PROPOSED) CLASS II BIKE LANES (PROPOSED) --------- CLASS III BIKE ROUTES (PROPOSED)• IPA ` OR CLASS II IN SOME CASES HOGAN PD. O. 1/0 114 1/2 ANLE 0 i2O0 2400 0000 FEET Harris & Associates Lodi Bicycle Master Plan Page 11 Exhibit C p.. ' l r ��t 1 III 111 I:� ,' I I di :1111 The City of Lodi Public Works i eec-I 110 41. I 0•0111 , 00.4 SR99 / Union Pacific Railroad Bridge October 3, 2018 1 Overview • CalTrans project — Raise SR99 bridges at Lockeford Street and Victor Road — Realign northbound ramp at SR99 and Victor Road — Purchase and remove abandoned railroad bridge 2 Overview • City's Bicycle Master Plan identifies use for bridge • CalTrans asked if City interested in purchase — requiring: —Purchase from UPRR —Conduct several studies — Assume all maintenance —Assume all liability 4 .,, .11. 4 114 4 4. I . 11k1 Recommendation • Staff recommends not purchasing bridge —Substantial upfront / hidden costs — KHB corridor requires purchase of UPRR excess right-of-way —Environmental exposure to City — Liability exposure forever — Other options to cross SR99 7 i 000104 i 00041 Questions???