Title
Department of Transportation recommending the Board approve and authorize the Chair to sign Cooperative Agreement 03-0651 between California Department of Transportation and County of El Dorado defining the cost contribution for the construction capital and support phases of the U.S. 50/Camino Area Safety Project, CIP 71319/36104015.
FUNDING: Highway Safety Improvement Program Funds (100%). (Federal Funds)
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The need for safety improvements to the U.S. Highway 50 Camino Corridor 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 daily peak hour traffic. 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.
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, which was approved by the Board on April 2, 2019 (Item 29, Legistar 19-0152), 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.
Cooperative Agreement 03-0651 (Agreement), which the Department recommends the Board approve today, defines the County’s contribution of funds for the Construction Capital and Construction Support phases of the Project.
To fund the County contribution, Transportation has been awarded a Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) grant in an amount up to $6.34 million. These HSIP funds will be allocated to Caltrans for project delivery support cost and construction for this 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 Agreements and MOU already in place. Canceling the County's commitment to the project would not relieve the County from having to pay for the previously agreed to County share (County road extension portion) of Caltrans planning and design cost on the project.
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 $6,342,120 in County Construction Capital and Support expenses and will be funded by Federal HSIP grant funds. The Project is included 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