TO: Board of Supervisors
FROM: Steven Lederer, Director of Public Works
REPORT BY: Graham Wadsworth, P. E., Engineering Supervisor
SUBJECT: Program Supplement Agreement with Caltrans for the design of the Conn Valley Road Bridge over Conn Creek Project, RDS 24-17
RECOMMENDATION
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Adopt a Resolution to authorize submission of a Program Supplement Agreement to Caltrans and related actions to secure and implement Federal Highway Bridge Program Funding to manage and design the Conn Valley Road Bridge over Conn Creek Project. (No Fiscal Impact; Discretionary)
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BACKGROUND
The Napa County Department of Public Works maintains 78 bridges that are included in the National Bridge Inventory (NBI) and Caltrans inspects the bridges every two to four years. Caltrans Structure Maintenance and Investigations bridge inspectors prepare Bridge Inspection Reports (BIR) for each bridge with recommendations for maintenance and repairs. On May 16, 2021, Caltrans identified Bridge 21C0077 as functionally obsolete with a sufficiency rating of 31.6 out of 100.
The existing bridge is approximately 37 feet long, 20 feet wide, carries Conn Valley Road over Conn Creek, and is approximately four miles east of Silverado Trail and 500 feet west of Greenfield Road. In 1920, Napa County built a concrete and steel girder bridge on a curve in Conn Valley Road. In 1946, Napa County built a reinforced concrete T-girder bridge on top of the existing bridge with steel pipe bridge barrier rails that do not meet current design standards.
In October 2023, Caltrans programmed $900,000 of Highway Bridge Program (HBP) Funding for the Preliminary Engineering Phase of the project, which included design, environmental review, and permitting. Adopting the attached resolution will allow the County to request reimbursement from Caltrans for 100% of the eligible and participating expenses up to the award of the construction contract.
On September 13, 2024, Caltrans and County staff conducted a Field Review Meeting to discuss the widening or replacement of the bridge on a new roadway alignment. Caltrans also provided a list of studies and documents required to complete the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) process. County staff will request proposals from consultants, evaluate the proposals, negotiate an agreement with the most qualified, and ask the Board of Supervisors to approve the agreement and a budget amendment at a future Board of Supervisors Meeting.
It is anticipated that the consultant agreement will include phases and staff will request approval of an agreement to evaluate the options and a budget amendment of $400,000 within six months. Staff will propose using the Capital Improvement Fund (CIF) to “cash flow” the Project and will deposit reimbursements back into the Fund. After the consultant evaluates the existing bridge, completes the preliminary design, and recommends widening or replacement, County staff will make a proposal to Caltrans staff. After Caltrans approves the type of project, staff will request an amendment for the consultant to prepare the documents necessary for NEPA and California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) approval.
After NEPA and CEQA approval in two to three years, Napa County staff will work with the consultant to acquire easements to construct the project. Caltrans programmed $200,000 of HBP funding for right-of-way acquisitions in federal fiscal year 2027-28. County staff will ask the Board of Supervisors to approve any purchase and sale agreements at a future meeting.
Caltrans programmed $5,000,000 of HBP funding for construction after federal fiscal year 2027-28; however, the actual construction cost and schedule will depend on the type of project, permit requirements, inflation, and other factors. On past projects, Caltrans paid the actual cost of construction and construction management. After Caltrans approves the County’s right-of-way certification, County staff will request HBP construction funding and authorization to proceed with construction.
After Caltrans authorizes Napa County to proceed, County staff will ask the Board of Supervisors to advertise for bids from construction contractors, award the contract, and approve a budget amendment. It is anticipated that construction could begin in 2029.
Recommended Action:
1. Adopt a resolution and authorize the Director of Public Works to submit a Program Supplement Agreement to Caltrans and related actions to secure and implement Federal Grant Funding.
FISCAL & STRATEGIC PLAN IMPACT
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Is there a Fiscal Impact? |
No |
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Is it currently budgeted? |
No |
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Is it Mandatory or Discretionary? |
Discretionary |
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Discretionary Justification: |
If the County does not enter into the agreement, then the County cannot request reimbursement for Preliminary Engineering Phase costs. |
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Is the general fund affected? |
No |
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Future fiscal impact: |
If the County obtains funding for the construction, then the County would need to fund or “cash flow” the project before requesting reimbursement. |
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Consequences if not approved: |
Napa County would not widen or replace the bridge. |
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
ENVIRONMENTAL DETERMINATION: The proposed action is not a project as defined by 14 California Code of Regulations 15378 (State CEQA Guidelines) and therefore CEQA is not applicable. The County would be responsible for preparing and adopting a CEQA document for the Project.