PURPOSE

A Co-operation Agreement was executed on October 8, 2002 between Caltrans and the City setting each party�s responsibilities in completing the Westbound SR-134 On-Ramp project at Hollywood Way.  Caltrans now proposes that an Amendment to that Agreement be executed extending the term of the Agreement and including an additional responsibility for both parties.  Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute the proposed Amendment. 

BACKGROUND

The SR-134 Ramp project involves the construction of a new on-ramp to the Westbound  SR-134 freeway from Alameda Avenue east of Hollywood Way.  It will circle around the back side of the Burbank Water and Power (BWP) electrical substations, pass under the Hollywood Way and Alameda Avenue bridges, and parallel the existing westbound on-ramp before merging with it, and eventually with the freeway mainline west of Pass Avenue.  This second on-ramp is expected to greatly relieve traffic congestion at the adjacent intersection and surrounding area. 

On October 8, 2002, Caltrans and the City executed a Co-Operation Agreement stating the responsibilities of each party in completing the project (Attachment A).  Most importantly, the City agreed to realign the existing off-ramp, relocate the BWP Hollywood Way substation, and dedicate right-of-way; Caltrans agreed to fund and construct the on-ramp, and to relinquish property to the City.   State funding problems during the preceding two years have delayed Caltrans� start of construction of the new on-ramp.  Three months ago, Caltrans notified staff that the necessary funding had been restored and that preliminary right-of-way activities could begin leading up to a Summer �06 start of construction. 

PROPOSED AMENDMENT

The significant modifications included in the proposed Amendment (Attachment B) are:  it extends the term of the Agreement by five (5) years; the City agrees to be responsible for performing environmental assessments on several parcels identified by Caltrans as being needed for the ramp construction, and for designing a section of the electrical substation wall; and Caltrans agrees to widen the south side of Alameda Avenue to create an additional lane leading to the new on-ramp. 

Caltrans is requesting that the City be responsible for completing initial environmental investigations, and subsequent testing if warranted, to determine the soil conditions of several parcels of private property that Caltrans will need to acquire for temporary construction easements and permanent tie-back easements (subsurface anchors for retaining walls).  The consultant being used by the City to test the City-owned properties has submitted a contract proposal of $7,800 to complete this work.  This task does not include any responsibility for remediating any contaminated soil conditions that may be found within any of the private property parcels investigated; that responsibility entirely rests with Caltrans.  The City has already completed the substation wall design at a cost of $19,500.   

In return for the City being responsible for completing the environmental investigations, and for the prior substation wall design work, Caltrans is agreeing to fund at State expense the cost of widening the south side of Alameda Avenue between Hollywood Way and the new on-ramp.  This widening will create an additional eastbound lane that will lead directly onto the ramp, thereby facilitating a near free-flow condition of traffic entering the freeway.  This construction had not originally been part of the Caltrans ramp project, and Caltrans now offers to construct it in exchange for the City performing the soil investigations.  The preliminary cost estimate of the Alameda widening is $60,000.

FISCAL IMPACT

Sufficient funds are currently budgeted to cover the $7,800 cost of the environmental investigations and potential follow-up soil tests.  A substantial project cost savings will be realized by the City as a result of Caltrans, rather than the City, funding the estimated $60,000 cost of widening Alameda Avenue.

RECOMMENDATION

Staff recommends that the City Council authorize the City Manager to execute the proposed Amendment to the Co-operation Agreement. 

ATTACHMENTS

A         Proposed Amendment

B          Original Co-operation Agreement (Executed October 8, 2002)

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