City Council Minutes 2014 10 28 SP

Home Browse Search

City Council Special Meeting Minutes October 28, 2014 Page 4 of 10 COUNCIL COMMENTS Council member Stolzmann stated her understanding the design for the North Underpass is a bridge similar to the South Street Underpass. Public Works Director Kowar explained the North Underpass would be a smaller version of the South Street Underpass. Council member Stolzmann asked if the North Underpass design work was complete, what would be the BNSF timeline for construction. Public Works Director Kowar estimated three to six months on the design work with the consultant, the community and BNSF Railroad. The agreement for the North Underpass would be modeled after the South Street Underpass. He estimated the BNSF approval process to be six to nine months. He noted BNSF is reluctant to provide any timeline for construction, but have said the materials lead time is six months. BNSF has indicated they have approximately 250 bridges in the queue to build within the next 12 months, but neither Louisville bridge is included in the queue yet. Council member Stolzmann asked if both of the bridges are more than 12 months out. Public Works Director Kowar explained according to the consultant, once the agreement is in place, and after six to nine months for lead time on materials, the South Street underpass may begin construction the fall of 2015. Mayor Muckle referred to an email relative to the cost difference between a box culvert and a bridge. He asked if there was enough money budgeted for a bridge. Public Works Director Kowar stated they are in the ballpark. He noted the box culvert design was submitted to BNSF, but was rejected. At this time they are waiting to get a cost exhibit from BNSF on the South Street Underpass. That cost exhibit will be scaled down to the North Underpass and will provide a better cost estimate. Council member Stolzmann expressed her fear neither project will be constructed in 2015 and next year at budget time, neither project will be prioritized. It was her sense the projects would be continually delayed. She stated if the projects are 18 months out she favored completing the North Underpass first. Mayor Muckle stated his understanding the design work on the North Underpass will continue. Public Works Director Kowar explained once the South Street Underpass Plans and Construction Agreements are approved by BNSF and the City Council, the attention will be focused on the North Underpass. Council member Moss agreed with Council member Stolzmann and questioned why the focus could not be changed to the North Underpass. Public Works Director Kowar explained the City is close to finalizing the plans and agreement for the South Street Underpass with BNSF. Completing that agreement it will give the City momentum with BNSF that would help move the north underpass project forward.