Title
Department of Transportation recommending the Board consider the following for acquiring right of way for the Mosquito Bridge Replacement Project, CIP 77126/36105028 (Project):
1) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Acquisition Agreement for Public Purposes and the Certificates of Acceptance accepting a Grant Deed, Slope and Drainage Easement, Public Utility Easement, and Temporary Construction Easement with Constance M. Owings, Trustee of the 1991 Owings Revocable Trust (Seller), for Assessor’s Parcel Number 084-030-015, providing the right-of-way necessary to construct the Project, at a cost of $114,400;
2) Approve and authorize the Chair to sign the four (4) Certificates of Acceptance accepting the Easements from Seller;
3) Authorize the Department of Transportation Director, or designee, to execute the escrow instructions and any other related escrow documents pertaining to the transaction, including payment of title and escrow fees, which are estimated to be $2,500; and
4) Authorize the Department of Transportation Director, or designee, to extend the date of closure of escrow upon mutual agreement of both parties, if necessary.
FUNDING: Highway Bridge Program Funds (100% Federal Funds).
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DISCUSSION/BACKGROUND
Department of Transportation (Transportation) will receive federal funds from the Federal Highway Association Highway Bridge Program to replace the existing Mosquito Road Bridge located in a steep canyon of the South Fork of the American River, six miles north of U.S. Highway 50, and 2.3 miles south of the communities of Mosquito and Swansboro. The existing bridge was built in 1939 and is 74 years old. The bridge is crossed daily by approximately 1,300 vehicles (in both directions). Emergency vehicles are restricted from using the bridge due to the narrow width, combined with multiple hairpin curves and steep grades along the bridge approaches on both sides of the bridge, resulting in delayed emergency response time. The purpose of the Project is to replace the existing bridge with a functional bridge that meets current design and safety standards. The Project continues to progress through the design phase, right of way, and moving toward preparation for construction.
ALTERNATIVES
If the Acquisition Agreement is not approved, the County will not be able to acquire this necessary right of way for the proposed Project, and the Project will not proceed as planned.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
1) May 5, 2009, 09-0454, Item 36, Project adopted as part of the 2009 Capital Improvement Program (CIP), under former CIP Project number 77120
2) June 19, 2012, 11-1324 v6, Item 14, Project adopted as part of the 2012 CIP, under current CIP Project number 77126
3) February 14, 2017, 17-0159, Item 23, Board provided direction to keep and maintain the existing Mosquito Bridge for pedestrian and bicycle use only
4) August 8, 2017, 17-0725, Item 27, Certified Final Environmental Impact Report adopted for the Project
5) March 10, 2020, 20-0353, Item 33, Transportation authorized to begin right-of-way negotiations with Seller
OTHER DEPARTMENT/AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Acquisition Agreement.
CAO RECOMMENDATION/COMMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to net County cost associated with this item. Funding for the Project is included in Transportation’s 2020 CIP, which was approved by the Board on June 9, 2020 (Item 54), and is funded by Highway Bridge Program funds. This project is included in the Fiscal Year 2020-21 Budget.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) The Clerk of the Board will obtain the Chair’s signature on the Acquisition Agreement for Public Purposes.
2) The Clerk of the Board will obtain the Chair’s signature on the four (4) Certificates of Acceptance: the Grant Deed, the Grant of Slope and Drainage Easement, the Grant of Public Utility Easement, and the Grant of Temporary Construction Easement.
3) The Clerk of the Board will return one (1) copy of the fully executed Acquisition Agreement to Transportation, attention to Lindsay Tallman, for final processing.
4) The Clerk of the Board will return the four (4) signed Certificates of Acceptance to Transportation, attention to Lindsay Tallman, for final processing.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Infrastructure
CONTACT
Rafael Martinez, Director
Department of Transportation