SUBJECT:
Title
A Resolution of the Town Council of the Town of Erie Approving a Funding Agreement with Xcel Energy for Design and Relocation of a Gas Line at County Line Road and Austin Avenue
Department
DEPARTMENT: Public Works
Presenter
PRESENTER(S): David Pasic, Public Works Director
Kieth Fiebig, Town Engineer
end
Time
TIME ESTIMATE: 0 minutes
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Fiscal
FISCAL SUMMARY:
Cost as Recommended: $742,409.11
Balance Available: $914,018.00
Fund Transportation Impact Fund
Line Item Number: 300-70-110-605000-100093
New Appropriation Required: No
Policy
POLICY ISSUES:
The policy issue before Council is whether to expend budgeted funds for the design and relocation of a previously unidentified Xcel high-pressure gas line on the western side of County Line Road at Austin Avenue.
Recommendation
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Approve the Resolution.
Body
SUMMARY/KEY POINTS
• A previously unidentified Xcel gas line needs to be lowered at the intersection of County Line Road and Austin Avenue before the roundabout construction can be fully completed.
• The gas line must be lowered by a pre-approved Xcel subcontractor.
• Utility easements in this location supersede the Town’s easements. Consequently, the Town is financially responsible for the project.
• Staff is coordinating with Xcel to keep as many lanes of traffic open as possible while this relocation takes place.
BACKGROUND OF SUBJECT MATTER:
Six gas lines are located within the County Line Road corridor. Five of the lines are high pressure transmission lines. Each utility company secured easements in the early 1980’s to allow construction of the transmission lines across private property generally to the west of the County Line Road Right of Way (ROW). These easements pre-date the Town ROW that exists today, specifically Austin Avenue. Because these are transmission lines and the utilities’ easements pre-date the Town’s ROW, the cost of relocating the lines is not covered by the Town’s franchise agreement with Xcel, and the cost to relocate is the Town’s responsibility.
During the design phase of the County Line Road and Austin Avenue Roundabout, contractor’s potholed each utility line in two locations to determine the depth of the lines. This is consistent with the standard approach to locating utilities during design. Based on that pothole information, the elevation of the lines was determined to be acceptable when compared to existing and final grades of the newly constructed roadway. However, once construction began, the contractor performed additional potholing for utility lines in more locations through the corridor, which is consistent with the standard approach when construction begins. This 2nd potholing showed that one gas line owned by Xcel rose in elevation for a short segment through the intersection of Austin Avenue before dropping again. The elevation of the existing gas line is only 12 inches below the top of asphalt of the final roadway section. This elevation is too shallow to allow roadway traffic to cross the line and requires the gas line to be relocated.
The Town requested permission from Xcel to allow the relocation of the gas line through an Xcel pre-approved subcontractor as part of the Town of Erie’s roadway construction contract. Additionally, the Town offered to pay for an Xcel inspector to be onsite during the work effort. Xcel denied this request and they must manage the contract themselves. They also require the Town to provide approved funding through the contract under consideration in advance of beginning design and relocation services. The cost of the work is estimated to be no more than $742,409.
Work on the west side of the roundabout at County Line Road and Austin Avenue cannot be fully completed until the gas line is relocated. A small detour section across the west leg of Austin was installed to temporarily allow traffic to cross the gas line where the depth is still at a safe elevation until the gas line can be lowered and the final intersection layout can be completed. Town staff will work with Xcel to minimize traffic impacts through the duration of the relocation.
priorities
TOWN COUNCIL PRIORITY(S) ADDRESSED:
☒ Traffic & Road Infrastructure
☒ Growth & Development
☐ Water Cost & Availability
☐ Affordable & Diverse Housing
☒ Increased Commercial Development
☐ Responsible Oil & Gas Development
☐ Preservation of Open Space
☐ Recreation & Community Amenities
☒ Multi-Modal Focus
attachments
ATTACHMENT(S):
1. Resolution
2. Agreement
3. Gas line plan and profile exhibit