SUBJECT: Appropriation of funds to the Brays Bayou Flood Damage Reduction Plan (Project Brays) Interlocal Agreement between City of Houston (City) and Harris County Flood Control District (HCFCD) for the Hillcroft Bridge.
RECOMMENDATION: Adopt an ordinance appropriating funds to the Brays Bayou Flood Damage Reduction Plan (Project Brays) Interlocal Agreement with HCFCD for the Hillcroft Bridge.
PROJECT NOTICE/JUSTIFICATION: An Agreement was made and entered into pursuant to the Interlocal Cooperation Act (TEX-GOV'T CODE, ch.791) by and between the City and HCFCD. On June 13, 2000, Harris County Commissioners Court adopted Project Brays. 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 Brays Project will widen Brays Bayou thus requiring various bridges, which include the Hillcroft Bridge to be raised.
DESCRIPTION: HCFCD has designed the Hillcroft Bridge to be raised by 15 inches, thus requiring the intersections and approaches to be reconstructed. The City has requested enhancements to the design of the proposed bridge project. The enhancements consist of rehabilitating the bridge to provide four (4) 11-foot wide lanes with a center left turn lane and 9-foot sidewalks with handrails in lieu of the existing 4-foot sidewalks.
LOCATION: The project is generally bound by North Braeswood to the north, South Braeswood to the south, Chimney Rock to the east, and Fondren to the west.
SCOPE OF THE AGREEMENT AND FEE: On December 17, 2003, under Ordinance 2003-1282, City Council approved the Interlocal Agreement. HCFCD will design and construct the bridge as part of the designated bridge projects declared within the Interlocal Agreement. HCFCD will fund the replacement cost 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 County shall provide construction drawings and specifications and shall administer construction of the project.
The total cost for this project is $245,518.79 to be appropriated as follows: $188,860.61 for contract services, $37,772.12 for contingencies and $18,886.06 for CIP Cost Recovery.
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 the appropriation of $245,518.79 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-000785-0044-7