REPORT TO COUNCIL
SUBJECT
Title
Authorize the City Manager to Execute a Reimbursement Agreement with the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) for the Relocation of City Water Facilities in Connection with the US 101 Express Lanes Project, Find that the Action is Exempt from the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) Pursuant to CEQA Guidelines 15301(c), and Approve Budget Modification No. 6 in the Amount of $300,000
Report
BACKGROUND AND DISCUSSION
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA) is managing the US 101 Express Lanes Project (Phase 5), which will construct express lanes from Fair Oaks Avenue to the US 101 / I-880 interchange. As part of this project, VTA’s design includes widening the on-ramps at Lawrence Expressway. This will conflict with two existing City of Sunnyvale water valves located on an 18-inch water main.
To resolve the conflict, VTA’s freeway design includes removing the two existing valves and installing two new valves a short distance away along the same main. Staff worked with VTA to refine the design and ensure that the solution is consistent with City standards. The City will continue to own and operate the modified water main. Construction is not anticipated to cause any interruption of water service.
The existing water facilities were constructed in the 1950s under a California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) encroachment permit. Although the original permit document was not found among City and Caltrans records, standard encroachment permit language since the 1940s requires the utility owner to bear the cost of any relocations as needed to accommodate highway improvements. For this project, VTA has agreed to cover the cost of design. The City is required to reimburse VTA for the actual cost of construction.
Per standard Caltrans requirements, the utility reimbursement agreement must be executed prior to advertisement for bids. The final reimbursement amount will be based on actua...
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