SUBJECT: Appropriation
of funds to the Brays Bayou Flood Damage Reduction Plan Interlocal Agreement
between the City of Houston and Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD),
Forest Hill Boulevard Bridge.
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt an ordinance appropriating funds for an Interlocal Agreement between the City of Houston and HCFCD.
PROJECT NOTICE/JUSTIFICATION: Project Brays is a joint effort by HCFCD and the Corp of Engineers to lower the water surface elevation within Brays Bayou up to 3 feet for the 100-year storm. The lowering of the 100-year flood water level will reduce damaging floods which occur along the bayou. The Federal Flood Damage Reduction Project will widen Brays Bayou thus requiring various bridges, which includes the Forest Hill Boulevard Bridge to be replaced.
DESCRIPTION: HCFCD is working on the design to replace the Forest Hill Boulevard Bridge. The City of Houston has requested enhancements to the design of the proposed bridge project. The enhancements consist of constructing the bridge from 36.5 feet wide to 44.5 feet wide and to substitute a 10 foot bike lane in lieu of a 6 foot sidewalk. The City requests also that the traffic lanes be increased to 12 feet wide in lieu of the 11 feet wide lanes as proposed by HCFCD.
LOCATION:The project is located in Key Map Grid 494Z.
SCOPE OF THE AGREEMENT AND FEE: Under the terms of the agreement approved by City Council under Ordinance No. 2003-1282 on December 17, 2003, HCFCD will design and construct the Forest Hill Boulevard Bridge as part of the designated bridge projects declared within the Interlocal Agreement. HCFCD will fund the cost of replacement of this bridge and all necessary facilities. The City will be 100% responsible for the additional engineering design and construction costs associated with the enhancements to the proposed bridge design. The City’s costs for the enhancements is estimated at $435,785.20. In addition to the estimated cost $43,578.50 will be needed for contingency funds and $65,367.80 for CIP Cost Recovery for a total appropriation of $544,731.50. The County shall provide construction drawings and specifications, and shall administer construction of the project.
FISCAL NOTE: No significant Fiscal Operating Impact is anticipated as a result of this project.
ACTION RECOMMENDED: It is recommended that City Council adopt an ordinance approving appropriating $544,731.50 for the Interlocal Agreement between the City of Houston and HCFCD.
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Carol Ellinger Haddock, P.E.
Director
Houston Public Works
WBS No. N-000785-0011-7