REPORT/RECOMMENDATION TO THE BOARD OF SUPERVISORS
OF THE COUNTY OF SAN BERNARDINO
AND RECORD OF ACTION
June 8, 2021
FROM
BRENDON BIGGS, Director, Department of Public Works - Transportation
SUBJECT
Title
Request for Local Advance Construction Authorization for 19 Bridges Along National Trails Highway in the Ludlow, Amboy and Essex Areas
End
RECOMMENDATION(S)
Recommendation
1. Authorize the submission of the request for Local Advance Construction Authorization for the Preliminary Engineering phase for the replacement of 19 bridges along National Trails Highway in the Ludlow, Amboy and Essex Areas.
2. Authorize the Director of the Department of Public Works to sign Exhibit 3-I required by Caltrans for each of the 19 bridges.
(Presenter: Brendon Biggs, Director, 387-7906)
Body
COUNTY AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER GOALS & OBJECTIVES
Ensure Development of a Well-Planned, Balanced, and Sustainable County.
Provide for the Safety, Health and Social Service Needs of County Residents.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Approval of this item will not result in the use of additional Discretionary General Funding (Net County Cost). The Department of Public Works (Department) is funded by Gas Tax revenue, fee revenue, and other state and local funding. The replacement of 19 bridges along National Trails Highway (Project) is funded with federal Highway Bridge Program (HBP) revenue and Discretionary General Funds allocated in a prior year to the National Trails Highway Bridge Program. Sufficient appropriation and revenue are included in the Road Operations (6650002000) 2021-22 recommended budget and will be included in future recommended budgets.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
Federal HBP funds are the major funding source for County bridges that need replacement and have spans longer than 20 feet. The Project bridges qualified for this funding and were initially programmed by Caltrans to receive Preliminary Engineering phase funding in federal Fiscal Year 2020-21. However, due to insufficient Federal HBP funds, Caltrans pushed the Preliminary Engineering phase funding from federal Fiscal Year 2020-21 to federal Fiscal Year 2023-24. By submitting the request for Local Advance Construction Authorization, and upon approval by Caltrans and receipt of authorization to proceed for Advanced Preliminary Engineering, the Department will pursue the opportunity to move forward with the Preliminary Engineering phase of the Project, which includes hiring a consultant. The Department will use existing budgeted Discretionary General Funding allocated to the bridges in lieu of federal HBP funds. When federal HBP funds become available, and a new authorization to proceed is issued by Caltrans, the County will seek reimbursement for the advanced funds it utilized. The Federal share of bridge work is 88.53% of total eligible costs.
Replacement of the 19 bridges is a part of the Department’s National Trails Highway Bridge Management Plan to replace 133 timber bridges constructed in the 1920s and 1930s. Replacement of the 19 bridges will allow the Department to reopen segments of National Trails Highway from Cadiz Road to Essex Road and from Goffs Road to Mountain Springs Road, which is currently closed due to damaged bridges. Local Advance Construction Authorization, if approved, will allow the Department to start the Preliminary Engineering phase without delay.
The Project aligns with the County and Chief Executive Officer’s goals and objectives of ensuring the development of a well-planned, balanced and sustainable County and providing for the safety, health and social service needs of County residents by replacing bridges on National Trails Highway.
PROCUREMENT
Not applicable.
REVIEW BY OTHERS
This item has been reviewed by County Counsel (Suzanne Bryant, Deputy County Counsel, 387-5455) on May 13, 2021; Finance (Jessica Trillo, Administrative Analyst, 387-4222) on May 17, 2021; and County Finance and Administration (Matthew Erickson, County Chief Financial Officer, 387-5423) on May 21, 2021.