TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute all documents necessary to enter into Agreement No. 07-4825 with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for a rehabilitation project along I-710 freeway within the City of Long Beach and execute any amendments thereto. (Districts 7,8,9)
DISCUSSION
In 2005, Caltrans resurfaced the 1-710 freeway from Pacific Coast Highway to the 1-405 freeway. At the time, the project implemented a number of leading measures, including a new construction management plan that called for closing half of the freeway during weekends and splitting the open side of the freeway to carry two-way traffic. During the implementation of that project, City traffic engineers and traffic signal technicians worked weekends to modify traffic signals as necessary to keep traffic flowing optimally around freeway ramp closures and on primary detour routes. Caltrans reimbursed the City for its overtime and equipment costs for the work performed. Thanks to the cooperative effort of Caltrans and the City of Long Beach, this new traffic control concept has become the model for major freeway resurfacing work on many projects throughout Los Angeles County.
Caltrans has recently approached the City to again work cooperatively on their latest project to resurface the 1-710 freeway from the 1-405 freeway northerly to Firestone Boulevard in the City of Southgate. Caltrans anticipates that their contractor will need up to 34 weekends to complete the entire project, of which, about half of those weekends could impact traffic operations within the City of Long Beach. Traffic impacts in Long Beach will most likely be concentrated near closed freeway ramps and primarily along Atlantic Avenue and Long Beach Boulevard in Districts 7, 8 and 9. City traffic engineers have reviewed the proposed traffic management plans in coordination with Caltrans engineers and it has been jointly estimated that, should the City provide similar engineering and technical support services to keep traffic flowing efficiently on the City streets for this project as it did in 2005, City expenditures could be up to $50,000 in labor and equipment costs.
In order to permit Caltrans to reimburse the City for its costs in providing traffic management services during the weekend construction periods, Caltrans has initiated a Contribution Agreement. This Contribution Agreement provides for the reimbursement of up to $50,000 in actual direct costs. Should additional costs be incurred, the agreement can be amended to increase this amount. Similar work was done in 2005 and the costs only amounted to $10,000; therefore, the proposed amount of $50,000 should be sufficient.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Amy R. Burton on October 20, 2008 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on October 22, 2008.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on November 11, 2008 to enable timely implementation of the agreement. It is anticipated that construction efforts on the 1-710 freeway in the Long Beach area will begin in November.
FISCAL IMPACT
The $50,000 reimbursable costs will be incurred over multiple years. At the end of FY09, an appropriation increase will be requested to match the funds expended and reimbursed to date.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
MICHAEL P. CONWAY
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
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APPROVED: |
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PATRICK H. WEST |
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CITY MANAGER |