PRESENTER: Presenter
Scott McClelland, Assistant Transportation & Construction Services Director
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SUBJECT: Title
Approval to authorize the City Manager to execute and fund a Public Pedestrian Underpass Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad as part of the Dry Comal Trail, Segment 1, for the construction, use, and maintenance of a 10-foot concrete trail and overhead protection canopy within the Union Pacific Railroad right of way at milepost 227.62.
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation and Construction Services
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COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: 1
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The City of New Braunfels was awarded construction funding through the Alamo Area Metropolitan Planning Organization (AAMPO) Transportation Alternatives program to construct a 10’ concrete trail along the Dry Comal Creek from Walnut Avenue to Landa Street, totaling .85 miles. The creek and proposed trail pass through Union Pacific Railroad (UPRR) right of way and under an existing trestle. UPRR will require the City to enter into a Public Pedestrian Underpass Agreement granting the City the right to construct and use this segment of the trail within the UPRR right-of-way. The City will be required to pay the sum of ninety-six thousand seven hundred fifty dollars ($96,750) upon the execution of this agreement to perform and comply with the terms of the Agreement.
As part of the Underpass Agreement, UPRR has provided an estimate of construction services to be performed by UPRR during construction activities, such as project and construction management, in the amount of one hundred twenty-five thousand dollars ($125,000) (not including flagging operations). The construction service estimate and flagging costs will be billed as force account work by UPRR once the project has begun. All construction related costs will be part of the overall construction bid costs that will be included in a future council agenda item which is anticipated in May 2027.
ISSUE:
UPRR requires a Public Pedestrian Underpass Agreement to be signed to cross under their existing structure. This connection across the UPRR right-of-way provides for a continuous trail segment for the Dry Comal Creek Trail between Walnut Avenue and Landa Street.
STRATEGIC PLAN REFERENCE:
☒Economic Mobility ☒Enhanced Connectivity ☐Community Identity
☐Organizational Excellence ☒Community Well-Being ☐N/A
• Increased bikeway, trails, and sidewalk miles.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Park Development Fees will be utilized for the $96,750 fee associated with the execution of the Underpass Agreement. Funding for the estimated UPRR construction services fees will be identified at the time of construction contract award.
Recommendation
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval to authorize the City Manager to execute and fund a Public Pedestrian Underpass Agreement with Union Pacific Railroad as part of the Dry Comal Trail, Segment 1, for construction, use, and maintenance of 10’ concrete trail and overhead protection canopy within the Union Pacific Railroad right of way at mile post 227.62 and associated construction and construction services expenditures.