File #: 19-0152    Version: 1
Type: Agenda Item Status: Approved
File created: 1/17/2019 In control: Board of Supervisors
On agenda: 4/2/2019 Final action: 4/2/2019
Title: Department of Transportation recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign Cooperative Agreement 03-0638 between California Department of Transportation and County of El Dorado defining the roles, responsibilities, and cost contribution of each agency related to the Plans, Specifications, and Estimate and Right-of-Way phases of the U.S. 50/Camino Area Safety Project, CIP 71319/36104015. FUNDING: Regional Surface Transportation Program Exchange Funds-Rural-EDCTC (49%), Traffic Impact Mitigation Fee - Hwy 50 (40%), State Transportation Impact Mitigation Fee (10%), Road Fund/Discretionary (1%). (State and Local Funds)
Attachments: 1. A - Contract Routing Sheet, 2. B - Agreement, 3. C - Exhibit, 4. Executed Agreement 03-0638, 5. Public Comment Rcvd 4-2-19 BOS 4-2-19, 6. Public Comment Rcvd 4-1-19 BOS 4-2-19
Related files: 15-0217, 21-1408, 21-1068, 19-0481, 20-1408, 23-0507, 19-0996

Title

Department of Transportation recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign Cooperative Agreement 03-0638 between California Department of Transportation and County of El Dorado defining the roles, responsibilities, and cost contribution of each agency related to the Plans, Specifications, and Estimate and Right-of-Way phases of the U.S. 50/Camino Area Safety Project, CIP 71319/36104015.

 

FUNDING:  Regional Surface Transportation Program Exchange Funds-Rural-EDCTC (49%), Traffic Impact Mitigation Fee - Hwy 50 (40%), State Transportation Impact Mitigation Fee (10%), Road Fund/Discretionary (1%).  (State and Local Funds)

Body

DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND

The need for safety improvements to the U.S. Highway 50 Camino Corridor is well-established and has been identified as a priority by the County and Department of Transportation (Transportation), the El Dorado County Transportation Commission (EDCTC), and California Department of Transportation (Caltrans).  In 2009, the EDCTC and Caltrans completed a Project Study Report - Project Development Support (PSR-PDS) study identifying improvement options for the U.S. 50/Camino Area Safety Project (Project).

 

Subsequent to the completion of the PSR-PDS, Caltrans acknowledged the need for improvements to this area and proposed to prioritize State Safety Funds to accelerate the delivery of the Project.  Caltrans advanced to the next step in the project delivery process by preparing a Project Study Report (PSR) to completion which is a separate, more detailed study than the PSR-PDS completed in 2009.  The PSR identifies improvements including an undercrossing of U.S. Highway 50, east of Camino Heights Drive to improve traffic circulation and safety in the area, particularly during the high volume period of apple farm season.  Also included is a concrete median barrier separating eastbound and westbound traffic.  The completed Project is anticipated to result in substantial safety improvements reducing the number and severity of accidents in the area.  The PSR included several alternative configurations and final design of improvements that were determined during the environmental review and planning phase.  The Project alternatives have been modified to avoid impacts to the significant commercial and agricultural businesses in the area and will provide an economic benefit to the region.

 

The PSR alternatives study includes a U.S. 50 continuous concrete median barrier through the Camino area.  Alternatives include a Phase 1 U.S. 50 small undercrossing near Camino Heights and lower Carson Road that can be delivered within current allocated funds ($52.69 million).  The Phase 1 project utilizes existing local roads to access the proposed undercrossing.  The PSR also includes a Phase 2 project for a larger undercrossing with interchange ramps at upper Carson Road.  This more desirable Phase 2 project is estimated to cost an additional $26 million, of which funding is not currently available.  Transportation and EDCTC have been actively seeking additional funding sources for a future Phase 2 project.

 

Cooperative Agreement 03-0583, which was approved by the Board on December 15, 2015 (Item 29, Legistar 15-0217), defined the roles, responsibilities, and financial contributions of both County and Caltrans for the Project Approval and Environmental Document (PA&ED).  In that same item, the Board approved the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that set forth the anticipated roles and respective intention of Caltrans and the County related to the proposed safety Project.  At that time, it was determined that subsequent Cooperative Agreements would need to be established to formally define and approve funding as the Project progressed through subsequent phases.  Cooperative Agreement 03-0638 (Agreement) defines the Project’s Plans, Specifications, and Estimate (PS&E) and Right-of-Way (ROW) phases.  It also defines the funding for the County’s contribution of ROW Capital.

 

Current plans estimate the total Project cost to be approximately $52.69 million.  Caltrans is proposing to fund delivery support cost, right of way, and construction cost of the improvements within the state right of way ($45.40 million) and requests the County fund the portion of the Project outside the state right of way ($7.29 million).

 

During the PS&E and ROW phases of the Project, final design and development of the plans, as well as relocation of utilities and acquisition of ROW interests, will be completed.  Caltrans estimated a cost of up to $0.95 million in County ROW and utility relocations outside state right of way.  Transportation requested and was awarded $0.95 million in Regional Surface Transportation Program/ Urban Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) Program funds from EDCTC.  These Urban STBG funds will be allocated to Caltrans for the County’s share of ROW and utility relocation cost through the Agreement for project delivery and ROW prior to construction.

 

Transportation has been actively seeking additional sources to fund the County contribution and has submitted a Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) grant application to Caltrans Local Assistance.  The grant application was successful and the County was awarded up to $6.34 million.  These HSIP funds will be allocated to Caltrans for project delivery support cost and construction in a future Cooperative Agreement.

 

ALTERNATIVES

1) The Board could choose to not approve the Agreement.  Transportation will work with Caltrans to revise the Agreement as directed by the Board and return at a later date.

2) The Board could choose to cancel the Project.  Canceling the Project will violate the previous Cooperative Agreement and MOU already in place.

 

PRIOR BOARD ACTION

See Discussion / Background Section.

 

OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT

County Counsel and Risk Management have approved the Agreement.

 

CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS

It is recommended that the Board approve this item.

 

FINANCIAL IMPACT

There is no financial impact or change to Net County Cost associated with this item.  Approval of the proposed Agreement will result in $950,000 in County ROW Capital expenses and will be funded by Regional Surface Transportation Program Exchange Funds/ STBG.  The Project is budgeted in Transportation’s 2018 Capital Improvement Program, which was approved by the Board on June 26, 2018, Item 61, Legistar 18-0616.

 

CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS

1) The Clerk of the Board will obtain the Chair's signature on three (3) originals of the Agreement.

2) The Clerk of the Board will forward all originals of the Agreement to Transportation, Fairlane Engineering, attention Matt Smeltzer, for further processing.

 

STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT

Infrastructure, Public Safety

 

CONTACT

Rafael Martinez, Director

Department of Transportation