STAFF REPORT

Operations Committee, January 3, 2008

Additional Funding for Tryon Road Widening – Phase II (EN08‑066)
Consideration of additional funding for Tryon Road Widening – Phase II (Project ST1092)
Speaker:  Mr. Tim Bailey

From:  Tim Bailey, P.E., Engineering Director
Prepared by:  Joe Moore, PE, Engineering Services Manager
Approved by:  William B. Coleman, Jr., Town Manager
Approved by:  Benjamin T. Shivar, Assistant Town Manager

The Town of Cary is currently widening the last phase of Tryon Road from Piney Plains Road to Kildaire Farm Road.  The project is on schedule for completion this summer.  When finished, Tryon Road will be a four-lane, median-divided roadway with sidewalks and wide outside lanes on both sides.  During construction some unforeseen ground conditions, as well as some requests from adjacent property owners, have raised issues which exceed the current budget.  This staff report requests the appropriation of an additional $630,000 to ST1092 for project completion.  The issues supporting this request are:

1.       Retaining walls: These walls were required to reduce a significant right of way take and eliminate the costly and timely relocation of a telecommunications service center. Total cost: $200,000.

2.       Shoring and bracing: Given the condition of the subsurface soils and the depth of bedrock encountered, the type of shoring around the culverts had to be modified. Total cost: $120,000.

3.       Progress Energy street lights: Should Council wish to light this corridor it would be best to install conduit for the street lights now. Installing conduit during grading makes the process easier, cheaper, and less intrusive than after construction is complete. Total cost: $90,000.

4.       Removal and replacement of unsuitable or poor soils: Some of the backfill from old sites adjacent to the roadway included unsuitable soil, debris and decomposed matter. Projected cost to finish (with contingency): $75,000

5.       Summerwinds waterline: Per the annexation and the subsequent request of residents in this area, the Town must provide water service to the Summerwinds neighborhood. Portions of this waterline cross the Tryon Road project.  Installing this waterline during grading makes the process easier, cheaper and less intrusive than cutting trenches into Tryon Road after its completion. Total cost: $35,000.

6.       Tree planting and ground cover: Several property owners have raised concerns about the maintenance and aesthetics of their slopes. Historically, the Town of Cary has only reseeded the slopes with grass. If those slopes are not maintained by the property owners they will naturally grow pine trees and taller grasses. To quicken that process the Town could have the contractor install 12” to 18” pine seedlings every 6’ to 8’ for $2000/acre, and reduced maintenance ground cover such as weeping love grass for $2200/acre. Estimated total cost: $35,000.

7.       House demolition: The Town purchased a property on the first phase of this project. The house has sat vacant for over three years and nuisance and delinquency concerns have been raised. The Town could have a contractor demolish this building. Estimated cost: $25,000.

8.       Police: The use of police officers instead of contracted flag men has worked much better in controlling traffic shifts, enforcing motorist compliance and protecting construction crews. Projected cost to finish: $25,000.

9.       Driveways: In an effort to work with and meet the requests of the several residents and businesses along both phases of Tryon Road, staff used more concrete and additional grading on driveways to construct better grades. Projected cost to finish: $25,000.

Fiscal Impact: 

Operating: The funding request made via this staff report does not have any associated operating impacts.

Funding: To date, $8,337,573 has been appropriated to the ST1092 Tryon Road Widening – Phase II project.  Expenditures/encumbrances to date total $8,023,752 leaving an available balance of $313,821.  Staff requests that an additional $630,000 in transportation development fee fund balance be appropriated to ST1092 for project completion.  These funds should be budgeted within the ST1092 construction account for expenditure.  Approval of this request will bring total appropriations to date for this project to $8,967,573.

Staff Recommendation:  Staff recommends the appropriation of $630,000 in transportation development fee fund balance to the ST1092 Tryon Road Widening – Phase II project.  These funds should be budgeted within the ST1092 construction account for expenditure.