Title
Department of Transportation recommending the Board adopt and authorize the Chair to sign Resolution 044-2022 authorizing the Department of Transportation Director the authority to approve temporary road closures for utility, Capital Improvement Program, Bridge, and Land Development projects.
FUNDING: N/A
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The Department of Transportation (Transportation) manages and oversees utility work, Capital Improvement Program (CIP), bridge, and Land Development projects, and one element of the construction activity of a project may include the need for road closures. These road closures are in support of any phase of these projects and when in the best interest of public health and safety. Delegating road closure authority to the Director of Transportation (Director), or designee, will allow such requests to be processed more quickly and efficiently. On March 6, 2018, Item 23, Legistar 18-0204, the Board approved Resolution 021-2018 authorizing the Department of Transportation Director, or designee, the delegated authority to approve temporary road closures for only utility and Capital Improvement Program projects. The proposed Resolution revises that authority to include bridges and Land Development projects that Transportation oversees.
When a road closure is necessary for a project, the project engineer prepares the request to obtain the Director’s approval for the road closure. Transportation has traditionally included these temporary road closure notices with the contract documents to County Counsel and will continue as part of the approval process.
During the construction phase, Transportation notifies affected agencies, businesses, and the public, using extensive outreach efforts to prepare for a road closure in their area. Advance notice is given by posting signage or use of changeable message signs, or a combination of both in the closure area. Website notices and press releases are utilized when necessary as well.
The Road Closure Resolution will allow the Director the authority to temporarily close roads and bridges for up to 60 days as needed for utility, CIP, and Land Development projects. A detour or alternate access route would be set up as needed to accommodate traffic around the project area. Transportation would bring any extension needed beyond 60 days to the Board for approval.
ALTERNATIVES
The Board could choose not to adopt the Resolution, thereby requiring Transportation to return to the Board to obtain road closure authorizations each time it is necessary.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
See Discussion / Background Section.
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel has reviewed and approved the Resolution.
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
There is no change to Net County Cost associated with this item.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) The Clerk of the Board will obtain the Chair’s signature on the original Resolution.
2) The Clerk of the Board will forward one (1) copy of the executed Resolution to Transportation, Fairlane Engineering, attention Shanann Findley.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Infrastructure and Public Safety
CONTACT
Rafael Martinez, Director
Department of Transportation