Title
Department of Transportation recommending the Board consider the following pertaining to the emergency repairs of the Mount Murphy Road Bridge following a collision on September 25, 2021 that caused extensive damage to the bridge:
1) Retroactively approve and authorize the Chair to sign the Agreement for Services 6066 for repair analysis and design services with Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. for the not-to-exceed amount of $81,229 and a term beginning on September 25, 2021 through December 31, 2021; and
2) Retroactively approve and authorize the Director of Transportation to award Construction Contract 6053 to Myers and Sons Construction, LLC for the not-to-exceed amount of $24,500 to repair the damaged bridge, for 10 working days, pursuant to California Public Contract Code Section 22032 and El Dorado County Ordinance Code Section 3.14.050.
FUNDING: Road Fund (Local Funds).
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
On Saturday, September 25, 2021, Mount Murphy Road Bridge over the South Fork American River in Coloma was closed due to severe structural damage caused by a reckless driver running into a truss column and the diagonal tension bars on the bridge at an excessive rate of speed, significantly deforming a tension bar. Department of Transportation (Transportation) maintenance staff arrived on site shortly thereafter and closed the bridge for safety concerns. Transportation engineering staff arrived that morning to assist with evaluating the damage and planning for repairs. After inspecting the bridge, it was determined to be unsafe and the bridge remained closed to all traffic.
Over the next week, engineers from Jacobs Engineering Group, Inc. (Jacobs) worked with Transportation staff to evaluate the extent of the damage to the bridge and develop a repair strategy. Jacobs was identified as the consultant to assist Transportation staff since they are currently assisting with the Mount Murphy Road Bridge Replacement Project, Capital Improvement Program number 77129/36105029, and they are familiar with the bridge. Agreement for Services 6066 (Agreement) will compensate up to $81,229 for Jacobs to evaluate the damage to the bridge, develop a repair plan, and potential additional testing and analysis.
During this same period, Myers and Sons Construction, LLC (Meyers and Sons), was contacted by Transportation engineering staff due to their expertise with bridge construction. Meyers and Sons have recently completed work with Transportation by replacing the Clear Creek Road at Clear Creek PM 1.82 and PM 0.25 - Bridge Replacement Projects. Myers and Sons was able to get to the bridge site quickly and agreed to repair the bridge as expeditiously as possible. Meyers and Sons Construction Contract No. 6053 (Construction Contract) will compensate up to $24,500 for the repair of the bridge.
This emergency repairs were discussed with the Chief Administrative Officer who gave authorization to proceed due to the potential for life and safety issues if the bridge was not repaired as expeditiously as possible.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to approve the Construction Contract and Agreement, but this could potentially result in a claim being filed against the County.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
Chief Administrative Office, Procurement and Contracts Division, County Counsel, and Risk Management.
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to net County cost associated with this item. Funding has been identified within the adopted Transportation budget using Road Fund.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) The Clerk of the Board will obtain the Chair’s signature on two (2) originals of the Agreement.
2) The Clerk of the Board will forward one (1) fully executed original of the Agreement to the County’s Chief Administrative Office, Procurement and Contracts, for further processing.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Infrastructure and Public Safety
CONTACT
Rafael Martinez, Director
Department of Transportation