AGENDA #4e
MEMORANDUM
|
TO: |
Roger L. Stancil, Town Manager |
|
FROM: |
George Small, P.E., Engineering Director Mike Taylor, Engineering Design Specialist |
|
SUBJECT: |
Municipal Agreement Between Town and North Carolina Department of Transportation for Biennial Bridge Inspections |
|
DATE: |
November 19, 2007 |
The attached resolution would authorize the Town Manager to execute a Municipal Agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation for biennial bridge inspections of bridges on Town-maintained public streets.
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The Federal Aid Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program requires that all structures defined by the Federal Government as "bridges" located on public roads and streets must be inspected every two years in accordance with the National Bridge Inspection Standards.
The present bridge inventory on Town-maintained public streets within the Chapel Hill Town Limits includes twenty-one (21) designated structures, as indicated on Attachment 1. The last inspection was completed in the fall of 2006. Therefore, the Town is due for another inspection of applicable structures in the spring of 2008 on the required two-year cycle.
The Federal Program provides funds to cover 80% of the inspection costs and local governments are responsible for the remaining 20% of the total costs. Currently, inspection costs are approximately $2,600 per structure. Thus, the estimated cost to the Town for inspection of the twenty-one (21) designated structures is $10,920, with the remainder of the costs being paid by federal funds administered through the North Carolina Department of Transportation Bridge Maintenance Unit.
The North Carolina Department of Transportation Bridge Maintenance Unit has agreed to inspect, analyze, and prepare the necessary reports in accordance with the National Bridge Inspection Standards for the designated structures in Chapel Hill. Upon completion of the inspections, the State would invoice the Town for 20% of the actual costs.
The Engineering Department operating budget includes funds for the Town’s share of the bridge inspections. The attached resolution would authorize the Manager to execute a Municipal Agreement between the Town and the North Carolina Department of Transportation for the inspection of twenty-one (21) bridge structures in Chapel Hill and to invoice the Town for 20% of the actual cost of the inspections.
RECOMMENDATION
That the Council approve the attached resolution authorizing the Town Manager to execute a Municipal Agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation for bridge inspections.
ATTACHMENTS
