AGENDA #5d

 

BUDGET WORKING PAPER

 

TO:                  W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

 

FROM:            Bill Terry, Interim Public Works Director

 

SUBJECT:       Report on Possible Use of Concrete Pads at Bus Stops to Reduce Pavement Failure

 

DATE:             April 28, 2004

 

 

This is a report related to problems of pavement failure at certain bus stops and possible remedies.

 

BACKGROUND

 

At a recent budget work session related to the Transportation Department, the issue was raised of pavement failures and deteriorating curb and gutter at various bus stops throughout Town.  Staff from Public Works and Engineering Departments, along with a representative from NCDOT, surveyed the various sites listed by the Transportation Department to identify the extent of problems and to propose possible remedies.  A total of twelve locations surveyed included nine along State-maintained roads and three park and ride lots maintained by the Town.  We found problems at eight of the twelve locations, including all three of the park and ride lots. A list of the sites surveyed is attached, along with photographs of specific problem areas.

 

The problems identified primarily included curb and gutter in varying degrees of deterioration.  We believe that seven of the eight locations require the most immediate attention, while the eighth site includes two bus stops along a portion of an entire block on which most of the curb and gutter needs to be replaced.

 

DISCUSSION

 

While the use of monolithic/integrated curb/gutter and concrete pads may be prudent for certain repairs and new construction, we did not find the need for such work at the sites examined along the State-maintained roads.  Rather, we believe that the problems are isolated to deteriorating non-reinforced curb and gutter, primarily related to the stress caused by the buses at these stop locations. A monolithic/integrated curb/gutter and concrete pad (drive) repair is recommended at the bus turnaround at the three park and ride lots.  Since a significant amount of the concrete bus turnarounds are in good condition, we recommend limiting the repairs to those areas for which the concrete has failed or is showing signs of significant stress.  

 

We learned that the best approach to obtain State funding to replace the deteriorating curb and gutter with continuous reinforced curb and gutter along the State-maintained roads would be through our local NCDOT board member.  Requests could be made for either small urban funds or discretionary funding.  Of the four miscellaneous sites most in need of selective replacement of curb and gutter, we estimate the cost would be ~$15,400 for installation of continuous reinforced curb and gutter.  At the fifth, and most significant site, we estimate the total cost for repairs would be ~$110,000; this would include work beyond replacement of curb and gutter.  As part of this project we would raise the curb/gutter, selectively mill the street to reduce the road crown, and resurface the roadway.

 

Based on our examination of the three park and ride lots, we estimate that the most urgent repairs would cost about ~$41,200.  Additional routine maintenance (rout and seal cracks) is also warranted.  Our Transportation Department informed us that there are no current available grant funds for repairs at the three park and ride lots.  While overall grant funding for transit services is relatively limited compared to prior years, they will pursue grant funding for these needed repairs in FY 2004-05. 

 

If the Council wishes to pursue such improvements along the State-maintained roads, then we suggest that we ask our NCDOT board member to consider our request for specific funding and a schedule for prioritized improvements within overall budget constraints.  We note that discussions with NCDOT, UNC and utility company officials are scheduled to assure that such work would not conflict with other improvement projects.  It will be necessary to complete these coordination meetings and resolve any conflicts before we forward specific requests to our NCDOT board member.

April 7, 2004

 

 

Bus Stops – Reported Problems with Curb/Gutter and/or Riding Surface

 

NCDOT MAINTAINED STREETS

 

Location

Recommendation

Cost

114 W Franklin Street – in front of Kinko’s

No major problems  –  NCDOT scheduled to patch, mill and repave this section of roadway in the summer of 2004.

NCDOT Funded

S. Columbia Street – ~Franklin Street to Cameron Avenue

Funding  should  be pursued to replace the deteriorated curb and gutter.  New curb will  be raised   ~6” .  Selective milling  to reduce the road crown and  repave.

$110,000                                

Pittsboro Street at Carolina Inn

The utility trench was recently patched. No additional action required at this time.

N/A

Pittsboro Street at Credit Union  

Replace 35’ of deteriorated curb and gutter with reinforced c/g (meet compaction requirements - install asphalt base –  4000 w/ fiber and rebar – tie in ends)

$1,900

South Road at Fetzer Gym

Replace ~80’ of deteriorated  curb and  gutter with reinforced c/g as noted above.

$5,200

Manning Drive between E. and W. Drive

Replace ~20’ of deteriorated  curb and  gutter with reinforced c/g as noted above.

$1,000

Columbia Street at Carolina Inn

NCDOT replaced the curb and gutter along this area in 2003.

NCDOT Funded

South Columbia Street at Berry Hill Hall

Not bad enough to justify replacement at this time – same as the entire street block.

N/A

Raleigh Road at Glenn Lennox

Replace ~70’ of deteriorated  curb and  gutter with reinforced c/g as noted above and replace 70’ of sidewalk.

$7,300

 

 

Note:  Prices include incidental work associated with the project and 10 % contingency.

 

 

 

TOWN MAINTAINED PARK AND RIDE LOTS

 

 

Location

Recommendation

Cost

Southern Village Park and Ride Lot

 

Replace ~100’ of deteriorated curb/gutter  and  approximately 12’ x 150’ of  the drive lane  –  standard detail  for monolithic pour  –  tie in all sections.

 

Rout out remaining cracks and seal.

$28,600

 

 

Awaiting Quote

Friday Center Drive Park and Ride Lot

 

Replace  ~90’ of deteriorated curb and gutter with reinforced c/g (meet compaction requirements  -  4000 w/fiber and rebar – tie in ends) and replace a 15’ x 10’ section of the concrete drive.

 

Rout out remaining cracks and seal.

$6,600

 

 

Awaiting Quote

Eubanks Road Park and Ride Lot          

Replace  ~60’ of deteriorated curb and gutter and two sections of the concrete slab/drive.

 

Rout out remaining cracks and seal.

$6,000

 

Awaiting Quote

 

 

 

Note:  Prices include incidental work associated with the project and 10 % contingency – the routing out of cracks and sealing of joints will cost several thousand dollars at each park and ride lot, failure to do so over the next couple of years could result in the need for more expense concrete repairs, this is a routine maintenance activity on large concrete slabs.