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From:
Dept:
Date:
FileNo.
CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO REOUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
James Funk, Director
Subject:
Authorization for the Director of
Development Services to issue a letter to the
California Department of Transportation
(Caltrans) requesting that Caltrans conduct a
public hearing on August 30, 2004, at 7:00
PM in the City Council Chambers of City
Hall in accordance with the requirements of
Section 35751 of the California Vehicle
Code regarding establishing load limits on
the Mt. Vernon Bridge over BNSF Railroad
(Bridge No. 54C0066).
Development Services
August 9, 2004
1.7121
OR\G\NAL
MCC Date: August 16,2004
Synopsis of Previous Council Action:
03-04-96
11-04-96
05-19-97
03-15-99
07-06-99
09-07-99
12-01-03
03-15-04
06/07/04
Approval given to submit request for authorization of funds under Federal Aid Highway HBRR Program.
Approval of $20,000 for preparation of conceptual plan.
Authorization to execute agreement for professional services with DMJM for conceptual plan approved.
Adopted Resolution authorizing execution of professional engineering services agreement with Parsons
Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas, Inc.
Approved Budget carry-over of $498,200 in Account No. 129-367-5504-7121 as local matching funds for
Mt. Vernon Grade Separation at BNSF.
Authorization to execute agreement with Parson Brinckerhoff Quade & Douglas Inc. for Professional
Engineering Services.
Adopted resolution approving Professional Environmental Services Agreement with Myra L. Frank and
Associates for environmental services related to the Mt. Vernon Bridge Project.
Adopted Resolution authorizing the execution of Professional Services Agreement with Lim & Nascimento
Engineering Corporation for the Project Management of the Mt. Vernon Ave. Viaduct over the BNSF
Railroad.
Authorized Finance Director to amend the FY 2003/04 Budget to transfer $190,000 from Unallocated FY
2003/04 Measure "I" fund balance to Account No. 129-367-5504-7121 "Mt. Vernon Bridge" (SS04-12) and
awarded contract in the amount of$165,000 to Yeager Skanska, Inc for Shoring ofMt. Vernon Bridge.
Recommended Motion:
Authorize the Director of Development Services to issue a letter to the California Department of
Transportation (Caltrans) requesting that Caltrans conduct a public hearing on August 30, 2004, at 7:00 PM
in the City Council Chambers of City Hall in accordance with the requirements of Section 35751 of the
California Vehicle Code regarding establishing load limits on the Mt. Vernon Bridge over BNSF Railroad
(Bridge No. 54C0066).
~J:~
Contact Person: Michael Grubbs, Engineering Manager/Field Engineer Phone:
5179
Supporting data attached:
Staff Report and Letter
Ward:
1&3
FUNDING REQUIREMENTS:
Amount:
Source:
N/A
(Acct. No)
N/A
Acct. Description:
Finance:
Agenda Item No. /7
If/f,/fil
CITY OF SAN BERNARDINO REOUEST FOR COUNCIL ACTION
Staff Report
Subject:
Authorization for the Director of Development Services to issue a letter to the California Department of
Transportation (Caltrans) requesting that Caltrans conduct a public hearing on August 30, 2004, at 7:00 PM in
the City Council Chambers of City Hall in accordance with the requirements of Section 35751 of the California
Vehicle Code regarding establishing load limits on the Mt. Vernon Bridge over BNSF Railroad (Bridge No.
54C0066).
Background:
On June 3, 2004, Caltrans issued a report, which resulted from an in-depth "fracture critical" steel inspection on
the Mount Vernon Bridge. During the inspection, Caltrans Inspectors determined that various steel members
were cracked. These cracks occurred at one span, towards the north end of the bridge in the southbound lanes
and toward the south of the bridge in the northbound lanes.
Caltrans recommended immediate closure of the entire bridge. The City concurred and completed the closure
on June 4, 2004. The closure was completed under the provisions of Section 35754 of the California Vehicle
Code (CVe), which is quoted below as follows:
"Whenever, in the opinion of a local authority, a bridge under its jurisdiction is in a dangerous or weak
condition, it may temporarily erect suitable signs at all entrances to such bridge specifYing the maximum weight
which it believes the bridge with safety to itself will sustain. The maximum weight limit so fIXed and posted shall
remain in effect for not more than 90 days. "
The 90-day time limit specified in Section 35754 will expire on September 2, 2004. For bridge closures in
excess of 90-days, an "Investigation and Hearing" must be conducted in accordance with Section 35751 of the
CVe. For jurisdictions with a population less that 1,100,000, Caltrans must conduct the "Investigation and
Hearing" .
In order to start the investigation and hearing process, Caltrans must first receive a request to do so from the
City Council or the Board of Supervisors having jurisdiction over the bridge.
Staff has prepared the attached letter, requesting that Caltrans start the investigation and hearing process. We
are requesting that the Mayor and Common Council authorize the Director of Development Services to sigu and
send the letter.
Financial Impact:
There will be no financial impact due to this action.
Recommendation:
Authorize the Director of Development Services to issue a letter to the California Department of Transportation
(Caltrans) requesting that Caltrans conduct a public hearing on August 30, 2004, at 7:00 PM in the City Council
Chambers of City Hall in accordance with the requirements of Section 35751 of the California Vehicle Code
regarding establishing load limits on the Mt. Vernon Bridge over BNSF Railroad (Bridge No. 54C0066).
2
DEVELOPMENT SERVICES DEPARTMENT
300 North "D" Street. San Bernardino. CA 92418-0001
Planning & Building 909.384.5057 . Fax: 909.384.5080
Public WorkslEngineering 909.384.5111 . Fax: 909.384.5155
www.sbcity.org
'"
August 16, 2004
Mr. Peter Whitefield, Chief
Caltrans - Department of Transportation
Division of Maintenance
Structure Maintenance and Investigation (SM&I)
P.O. Box 168041, MS #9-1191
Sacramento, CA 95816-8041
RE: Request for the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) to conduct a public
hearing on Angust 30, 2004, at 7:00 PM in the City Council Chamhers of City HaIl in
accordance with the requirements of Section 35751 of the California Vehicle Code
regarding establishing load limits on the Mt. Vernon Bridge over BNSF Railroad (Bridge
No. 54C0066)
Dear Mr. Whitefield:
On August 16, 2004, the Mayor and Common Council authorized the Director of Development
Services to issue this letter to your Agency requesting the subject public hearing.
On June 3, 2004, at the recommendation of Caltrans Structure Maintenance and Investigations Group,
the City temporarily closed Mt. Vernon Bridge over BNSF Railroad (Bridge No. 54C0066) under the
provisions of Section 35754 of the California Vehicle Code. This closure was prompted by the
discovery of cracks in the supporting steel girders by your bridge inspectors under the supervision of
Mr. Gedion Werrede.
The City had proposed to shore up the cracked girders and reopen the bridge to passenger vehicle
traffic; however, due to unforeseen difficulties, it appears that the shoring work will not be completed
within the 9O-day period allowed by Section 35754, which will expire on 09/02/04.
Section 35751 of the California Vehicle Code extends the authority to keep a bridge closed for a period
in excess of 90 days, subject to specific notification, public hearing and posting of signs as required by
the Vehicle Code. Since the City of San Bernardino has a population less than 1,100,000, the Vehicle
Code requires that the public hearing be conducted by the California Department of Transportation
(Caltrans).
Therefore, please accept this letter as the City Council's request that Caltrans conduct a public hearing
under the provisions of California Vehicle Code Section 35751 regarding the continued closure of Mt.
Vernon Bridge over BNSF Railroad (Bridge No. 54C0066). We have reserved the City Council
Chambers at 300 N. "D" Street, San Bernardino, CA 92418, for the public hearing on Monday, August
30, 2004, from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM. We previously discussed these arrangements with Mr. George
Peter Whitefield, Caltrans - Department of Transportation
RE: Request for Caltrans to Conduct Public Hearing 8/30/04
Page 2 of2
Zorapapel of your staff. City staff, in coordination with Caltrans staff, will handle the posting and
notification requirements.
If you have any questions, please call Mike Grubbs at (909) 384-5 I 79.
Sincerely,
JAMES FUNK
Director of Development Services
cc: Mr. Gedion Werrede, Office of Structure Maintenance and Investigations (South)
Mr. George Zorapapel, Office of Structure Maintenance and Investigations (South)
Huston Carlyle, Senior Assistant City Attorney
Mark Lancaster, Deputy Director/City Engineer
William Nascimento, LAN Engineering
Mike Grubbs, Engineering ManagerlField Engineer