AGENDA #4h

MEMORANDUM

TO:                  Mayor and Town Council

FROM:            W. Calvin Horton, Town Manager

SUBJECT:       Municipal Agreement Between the Town of Chapel Hill and North Carolina Department of Transportation for Biennial Bridge Inspection

DATE:             January 28, 2002

The attached resolution would authorize the Manager to execute a Municipal Agreement with the North Carolina Department of Transportation for bridge inspections.

The Federal Aid Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program requires by law that all structures defined as "bridges" located on public roads must be inspected every two years in accordance with the National Bridge Inspection Standards.

The present bridge inventory within the Chapel Hill Town limits includes fifteen designated structures, as indicated on the attached map.  The last inspection on these structures was completed in the spring of 2000.  Therefore, the Town is due for another inspection of the structures in the spring of 2002, on the required two-year cycle.

The federal program provides funds to cover 80% of the inspection costs, which are approximately $1,500 - $2,000 per structure.  Thus, the estimated cost to the Town for inspection of the fifteen structures should not exceed $6,000, with the remainder of the costs being paid by federal funds administered through the North Carolina Department of Transportation Structures Division.

We have requested by letter that the North Carolina Department of Transportation perform the inspections of our bridges.  They have agreed to inspect, analyze, and prepare the necessary reports for all of our bridges in accordance with the National Bridge Inspection Standards.  Upon completion of the inspections, the State would invoice the Town for 20% of the actual costs.

The Engineering Department operating budget includes the necessary funds for 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 which directs them to proceed with the inspections of our bridges and to invoice the Town for 20% of their actual costs.

MANAGER’S 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.

A RESOLUTION AUTHORIZING THE MANAGER TO EXECUTE A MUNICIPAL AGREEMENT WITH THE NORTH CAROLINA DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION FOR BRIDGE INSPECTION (2002-01-28/R-7)

WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill has requested the Department of Transportation to perform certain work under the Federal Aid Highway Bridge Replacement and Rehabilitation Program, said work to consist of the reinspection and analysis of all public bridges on the Municipal Street System in the Town of Chapel Hill; and

WHEREAS, the Town of Chapel Hill proposes to enter into an agreement with North Carolina Department of Transportation for said work wherein the Department of Transportation will reinspect and prepare the necessary reports for all public bridges on the Municipal Street System in accordance with National Bridge Inspection Standards; and

WHEREAS, under the proposed agreement the Federal Highway Administration shall reimburse the Department of Transportation for eighty (80%) percent of the cost of the work subject to compliance with all applicable federal policy and procedural rules and regulations; and

WHEREAS, under the proposed agreement the Town of Chapel Hill shall reimburse the Department of Transportation for all costs of the work incurred by the Department of Transportation not paid by the Federal Highway Administration;

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council authorizes the Town Manager to execute a Municipal Agreement between the Town of Chapel Hill and the North Carolina Department of Transportation for bridge inspections as described herein.

This the 28^th day of January, 2002.