HomeMy WebLinkAbout1997-12-09 - AGENDA REPORTS - NEWHALL METROLINK STATION (2)W. .11 :Tile ' 7
CONSENT CALENDAR
DATE: December 9, 1997
City Manager Approve
Item to be presented
SUBJECT: NEWHALL INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION CENTER
(NEWHALL METROLINK STATION) - AWARD DESIGN CONTRACT
PROJECT NO. S2001
DEPARTMENT: Transportation and Engineering Services
1. City Council authorize the City Manager or his designee to execute the contract for
engineering and architectural design services for the Newhall Metrolink Station - Project
No. 52001 with Boyle Engineering Corporation in an amount not to exceed $430,788.00,
plus $44,212.00 (10.24%) for contingency costs; and
2. Authorize the City Manager or his designee to approve expenditures for the existing Cost
and Maintenance Agreement with Southern California Regional Rail Authority dated
September 2, 1997, for time and materials not to exceed $425,000.00 from Account
No. 52001453-8001.
On August 26, 1997, City Council authorized the establishment of the revenue and expenditure
accounts for the Newhall Intermodal Transportation Center. Staff has moved forward to select
a consultant to provide professional engineering and architectural services to design the
Newhall Metrolink Station.
On October 6, 1997, staff held a pre -qualification meeting with representatives from over
35 companies. On October 22, 1997, qualifications were submitted by ten professional
engineering/architectural teams. The four teams selected for interviews following qualification
review and evaluation by City staff and Southern California Regional Rail Authority (SCRRA)
personnel are listed below:
Boyle Engineering Corporation Ventura, California
Daniel, Mann, Johnson, & Mendenhall (DMJM) Los Angeles, California
Frederic R. Harris, Inc. San Pedro, California
HDR Engineering, Inc. Irvine, California
An interview panel consisting of staff from the City and SCRRA, as well as the Redevelopment
Committee Chairman, selected Boyle Engineering Corporation to provide the design services
required for this project. Total costs to provide the engineering/architectural services required
for this project are estimated to be $430,788.00, plus $44,212.00 (10.24%) for contingency costs.
The fees would cover the. following engineering/architectural services: survey; mapping;
NEWIIALL INTERMODAL TRANSPORTATION CENTER
(NEWHALL METROLINK STATION)
AWARD DESIGN CONTRACT - PROJECT NO. S2001
December 9, 1997 - Page 2
geotechnical reports; public participation; conceptual design (three architectural styles);
hydrology studies; architectural and structural design for depot building with restrooms,
platform, and clock tower; demolition plans; site layout, grading, drainage, utility, signing,
striping, landscape, irrigation, street lighting, and roadway improvement plans; electrical
communication design; plans, specifications and costs estimates (PS&E's); land acquisition
assistance; appraisals; environmental studies (includes Phase 1 and Phase 2 analysis); and
construction phase services.
On August 26,1997, City Council ratified a Cost and Maintenance Agreement with SCRRA. The
City Council approved an expenditure of $265,000.00 and authorized a 10% contingency should
change orders to the agreement become necessary. This agreement provides that SCRRA will
perform certain public improvements required to complete the Newhall Metrolink Station,
including the relocation of the existing spur track, the upgrade of a rail crossing at Market
Street, the interconnection of new traffic signals with existing rail crossings, and the installation
of fencing along the railroad tracks. All costs associated with this work are to be borne by the
project.
SCRRA estimated the cost to complete this work to be approximately $265,000.00, plus a 10%
contingency. This contract is a time and materials cost agreement. The City was notified by
SCRRA in a letter dated October 30, 1997 that the estimated cost for the work has been
determined to be inadequate, and additional funds will be required. The amount budgeted for
this work in the City's Transit Capital Improvement Grant totals $600,000.00. Staff' is
requesting that the estimated expenditure for this maintenance agreement be approved for
$425,000.00, an increase of $160,000.00 from the estimate approved by City Council on
August 27, 1997.
Other action as determined by the City Council.
Funds in the amount of $4,019,000.00 from Account Nos. S2001205-8630, 52001453-8620,
S2001453-8001, S2001453-7011, and S2015453 have been budgeted in FY 1997/98 for this
project.
Conceptual Metrolink Station Plan
Cost and Maintenance Agreement - In Reading File in City Clerk's Office
SCRRA Letter to the City dated October 30, 1997 - In Reading File in City Clerk's Office
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NEWHALL METROLINK STATION
crit OMOINAL
COST AND MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT
RAILROAD AVENUE REALIGNMENT, MARKET STREET GRADE
CROSSING WIDENING AND NEWHALL SPUR TRACK RELOCATION
THIS AGREEMENT, made this 2 oday of ! errcnoe rz, 1997, is. by and between
THE CITY OF SANTA CLARTTA, herein termed the "CITY", and the SOUTHERN
CALIFORNIA REGIONAL RAIL AUTHORITY, herein termed "SORRA";
RECITALS
The CITY is a general law city and a municipal corporation duly organized and existing
under the laws of the State of California. SCRRA is a five -county joint powers authority created
under California state statutes, Public Utilities (PU) Code §130255, pursuant to Government Code
§§6501 et al. SCRRA builds, operates and maintains Metrolink commuter rail service through the
Newhall and Saugus districts of the CITY, on railroad right-of-way and facilities owned by Los
Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA). The railroad right-of-way is
designated as SCRRA's Valley subdivision. Union Pacific Railroad Company (Union Pacific)
operates freight trains on the Valley subdivision under a shared use agreement executed in 1992 by
Union Pacific's predecessor Southern Pacific Transportation Company and MTA's predecessor Los
Angeles County Transportation Commission. Under the shared use agreement SCRRA dispatches
trains and is the assigned track owner under Chapter 49 of the Consolidated Federal Regulations,
Part 213 (49CFR213), for all signals, main lire track, sidings and turnouts, while Union Pacific
maintains spur track beyond the clear point, and other rail freight facilities.
The CITY and the MTA have reached an agreement for the purchase of MTA property in
Newhall to be used for the realignment and widening of Railroad Avenue parallel to the Valley
subdivision. The CITY and the MTA are also negotiating encroachment agreements for the use of
additional longitudinal MTA property for landscaping and a sidewalk along Railroad Avenue, and
widening and improvement of the Market Street grade crossing (Crossing No. VY - 29.93). The
Railroad Avenue/Market Street project (hereinafter termed the "Project") is designed to
accommodate construction of a Newhall Metrolink station at a later date. The Project includes work
which would have to be done by SCRRA such as installation and alteration of grade crossing
warning signals and electrical interconnections between grade crossing warning systems and traffic
signals at adjacent street intersections. The CITY's Railroad Avenue project plans also show that
the proposed landscaping and sidewalk portion of the project would require removal of Union
Pacific's Newhall spur track, which is also a prerequsite for construction of a Newhall Metrolink
station. Union Pacific would have to agree to the removal, which will most likely involve relocation
of the spur track storage capacity to another location by SCRRA. Additionally, the Project will
require SCRRA right -of -entry into the MTA railroad right-of-way, flagging, engineering and
inspection services. SCRRA and the CITY wish to set forth herein their understandings and
agreements relating to the Project.
Railroad Avenue, Market Street - 1 - Cost and Maintenance Agreement
and Newhall spur project 8/5/97
AGREEMENT
1. SCRRA agrees to. give and hereby gives permission to the CITY, its successors and assigns,
to enter that portion of MTA's right-of-way shown on Exhibit "A" solely for the purposes of
constructing, maintaining and operating the Project, under the following conditions:
(a) SCRRA must first approve plans and specifications for the Project.
(b) The CITY must first obtain directly from MTA's Real Estate Department any
necessary real estate encroachment, license or easement required by MTA for all
portions of the Project.
(c) The CITY must incorporate in each prime contract for the Project,. or the
specifications therefor, the provisions entitled SCRRA's Rules and.Requirements for
Construction on Railroad Property SCRRA Form No. 37, and Right -of -Entry SCRRA
Form No. 6, previously provided to the CITY and made a part hereof.
(d) No work shall be commenced on MTA property or adjacent to the SCRRA track until
each of the prime contractors employed in connection with the work shall have:
(i) executed and delivered to SCRRA a letter agreement in the form of.Right-of-
Entry SCRRA Form No. 6, and;
(ii) delivered to and secured the approval by SCRRA of the insurance required by
the two exhibits attached to Right -of -Entry SCRRA Form No. 6.
The CITY is responsible for its prime contractor having obtained a right -of -entry
through submission to and acceptance by SCRRA of a completed Right -of -Entry
SCRRA Form No. 6, prior to the contractor's work.
(e) The CITY, or the CITY'S contractor; will comply with SCRRA's rules and
regulations as shown in SCRRA's Rules and Requirements for Construction on
Railroad Property SCRRA Form No. 37, and instructions of SCRRA's inspectors and
representatives, in relation to the proper manner of protecting the MTA tracks and the
traffic moving thereon, pole lines, signals and other property of MTA or its tenants or
licensees at or in the vicinity of the work during the street project, and shall perform
the work at such times as shall not endanger or interfere with safe and timely
operation of MTA's track and other facilities.
(f) After completion of the Project the CITY will notify SCRRA five (5) working days in
advance of any maintenance of a roadway, sidewalk or signal conduit, if that
maintenance activity is to occur within 25 feet of a track. Any SCRRA flagging or
inspection required to protect the MTA tracks or the traffic moving thereon shall be
paid for by the CITY.
SCRRA's permission is subject to:
(g) All prior licenses, leases, easements, restrictions, reservations, conditions, covenants,
encumbrances, rights and rights -of u..y; liens- and- clahns-of-title-which-nay-inany -- -
manner affect the right of way.
Railroad Avenue, Market Street
and Newhall spur project
-2-
Cost and Maintenance Agreement
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(h) The prior and continuing right and obligation of Union Pacific, its successors and
assigns, to use its right-of-way in the performance of its public duty as a common
carrier; and the MTA, its successors and assigns (including SCRRA), to use its right-
of-way in the performance of its duties as a public transportation authority.
SCRRA's permission is given without warranty of title of any kind, expressed or implied.
2. CITY, or CITY'S contractor, will do all the construction work of the Project, including
adequate drainage, filling in of excavated holes, and removal of unused or demolished
material, except that work hereinafter specified to be done by SORRA.
3. SCRRA will, at CITY'S expense:
(a) Relocate the two existing shoulder -mounted flashing light signals with gates and bells,
and install two new median -mounted flashing light signals, at the Market Street grade
crossing.
(b) Install related signal and signal control equipment in SCRRA's existing signal houses
required for interconnection of the Market Street grade crossing warning system with
traffic signals at the Market Street/Railroad Avenue intersection, and interconnection
of the State Route 126 (San Fernando Road) grade crossing warning system (Crossing
No. VY - 29.61) with traffic signals at the San Fernando Road/Railroad Avenue
intersection, coordinating its signal work with the CITY as necessary.
(c) Install approximately 30 feet of additional reinforced concrete grade crossing surface
panels, with 10 -foot long concrete ties and other track material as necessary, at the
Market Street grade crossing.
(d)c a a i ,move the Newhall spur track and its turnout
and relocate the spur track capacity off of the Terry Lumber spur in Saugus, south of
Drayton Street.
4. CITY will, at its expense:
(a) Prepare plans and specifications for the Project. Two sets of plans shall be submitted
to SCRRA for approval prior to commencement of construction. The CITY will
require its contractor or contractors to furnish SCRRA two sets of plans and two sets
of calculations for any falsework, shoring or cribbing that may be planned for use
over, under or adjacent to SCRRA's track.
(b) Pave both Market Street approaches, and install curb, sidewalks, gutters and two
raised median islands up to SCRRA's crossing surface panels as shown in the Project
plans. The curb shall transition into a zero curb height 10 feet from centerline of the
nearest track, and between the removable concrete grade crossing surface panels and
10 feet from track centerline the roadway.and sidewalk material will be asphaltic
concrete. The roadway pavement and raised medians will -be -built irr coordination -
Railroad Avenue, Market Street - 3 - Cost and Maintenance Agreement
and Newhall spur project 815/97
with SCRRA's Signal Department so that SCRRA may lay conduit for the median -
mounted flashing light signals from SCRRA's signal house.
(c) Arrange for partial closure of crossing to vehicular traffic during SCRRA's Market
Street signal work, including all necessary traffic control devices, barricades and
delineators and continue such partial closure until the signal work is completed by
SCRRA.
(d) Advise emergency agencies and public of the partial closure of the crossing prior to
construction as the CITY deems necessary.
(e) Lay conduit and wiring up to SCRRA's signal houses from the traffic signal
controllers for the interconnected traffic signals. Interconnection circuit logic shall
conform to American Association of Railroads recommended practices and requisites.
Where the conduit passes near or under railroad tracks it shall be laid at a depth and
protected as required in SCRRA's Engineering Standards.
(f) Obtain all necessary authorities and permissions from the State of California Public
Utilities Commission (PUC) prior to commencing construction.
5. The work to be done in Paragraph 3 by SCRRA shall be done as soon as practicable,
considering availability of materials and manpower. In consideration thereof, CITY will pay
to SCRRA the actual total cost of the work specified in Paragraph 3, presently estimated by
SCRRA to be TWO HUNDRED AND SIXTY FIVE THOUSAND DOLLARS
($265,000.00); as shown on Exhibit "B" attached hereto and made a part hereof.
6. With return of this executed Cost and Maintenance Agreement the CITY will pay sixty
percent (60%) of Exhibit "B" cost estimate, ONE HUNDRED AND FIFTY NINE
THOUSAND DOLLARS ($159,000.00). CITY shall pay the actual cost upon completion
of SCRRA's work, less credit for the sum previously paid.
After alteration and installation of railroad crossing warning signals and signal controls under
terms of this agreement, SCRRA shall physically maintain same so long as they remain in
place. The maintenance cost of the signals and signal controls shall be shared equally by
CITY and SCRRA in accordance with Public Utilities (PU) Code §1202.2 of the California
state statutes, except that CITY's liability therefor shall be limited to such funds as may be
set aside for allocation through the PUC pursuant to PU Code §1231.1.
8. SCRRA will, at its expense, maintain that portion of the crossing surface lying between the
rails and two feet outside of the rails, parallel to the track, pursuant to PUC General Order
72-B.
9. CITY will, at its expense, maintain any street improvement, including streetlighting,
sidewalks, curb and gutter, raised medians and traffic striping and signage within the crossing
other than specified to be maintained by SCRRA in above Paragraphs 7 and 8. The CITY .
shall notify SCRRA prior to performing maintenance in the crossing as specified in
Paragr-aph 1. The CITY will, at its expense, maintain advance warning signage and
pavement markings as .required under the State of California Vehicle Code, Section 21362,
Railroad Avenue, Market Street
and Newhall spur project
- 4 - Cost and Maintenance Agreement
815197
and the State of California Department of Transportation's (Caltrans) Traffic Manual. The
CITY will also maintain the traffic signal interconnection conduit and wiring up to SCRRA's
signal houses.
10. The CITY will operate and maintain the traffic signals and traffic signal controllers at the
Market Street/Railroad Avenue and San Fernando Road/Railroad Avenue intersections. The
CITY will periodically check that the preemption of the traffic signals by the grade crossing
warning systems is working as designed, in accordance with the railroad preemption
recommendations contained in Caltrans' Traffic Manual. Before changing traffic light
operation or phasing which could affect the duration or phasing of railroad preemption the
CITY will notify SCRRA.
11. All work covered by this Agreement shall conform to PUC requirements.
12. That, except as hereinafter otherwise provided, all work to be done hereunder by CITY in the
construction of the project will be done pursuant to a contract or contracts to be let by CITY
to a contractor or contractors, and all work performed thereunder within the limits of the
right-of-way shall. be performed in a good and workmanlike manner and in accordance with _
plans and specifications approved by SORRA, and those changes or modifications during
construction that affect SCRRA shall also be subject to approval by SCRRA. All such
contracts shall provide:
(a) That all work performed over, under, or adjacent to the SCRRA track shall be done
to the satisfaction of SCRRA.
(b) That if, in the opinion of the CITY, it shall be for the best interest of the CITY, it
may direct that the construction of the project be done by employees or day labor
under the direction and control of the CITY; or it, at any time, in the opinion of the
CITY, the contractor has failed to prosecute with diligence and force the work
specified in and by the terms of their contract with the CITY, CITY may, in the
manner provided by law, terminate the contractor's control over the work and take
possession of all or any part thereof, and proceed to complete the work by day labor
or employees or by employing another. contractor or contractors on informal
contracts; provided that all informal contracts shall require contractor to comply with
the obligations in favor of SCRRA hereinabove set out in Paragraph 1 and this
paragraph; and provided further, that if such construction is performed by day labor,
CITY will, at its expense, procure and maintain in behalf of.SCRI A insurance
required by the exhibits attached to Right -of -Entry SCRRA Form No. 6.
13. Neither SCRRA nor any agent or employee of SCRRA, shall be responsible for any damage
or liability solely occurring by reason of any acts or omissions on the part of the CITY under
or in connection with any work, authority or jurisdiction delegated to the CITY under this
memorandum. The parties understand and agree that the CITY shall fully indemnify, defend
and hold SCRRA harmless from any liability imposed for injury, solely occurring by reason
of any acts or omissions on the part of the CITY under or in connection with any work,
authority or jurisdiction delegated to the CITY under this memorandum.
14. Neither the CITY nor any agent or employee of the CITY; shall be responsible for any
Railroad Avenue, Market Street - 5 - Cost and Maintenance Agreement
and Newhall spur project 8/5/97
damage or liability solely occurring by reason of any acts or omissions on the part of
SCRRA under or in connection with any work, authority or jurisdiction delegated to SCRRA
under this memorandum. The parties understand and agree that SCRRA shall fully
indemnify, defend and hold the CITY harmless from any liability imposed for injury, solely
occurring by reason of any acts or omissions on the part of SCRRA under or in connection
with any work, authority or jurisdiction delegated to SCRRA under this memorandum.
15. In contemplation of the provisions of Government Code §895.2 imposing certain tort liability
jointly upon public entities solely by reason of such entities being parties to an agreement, as
defined in Government Code §895, the parties hereto, pursuant to the authorization contained
in Government Code §895.4 and §895.6, will assume the full liability imposed upon it or any
of its officers, agents or employees by law for injury caused by any negligent or wrongful act
or omission occurring in the performance of this agreement to the same extent that such
liability would be imposed in the absence of §895.2 of such code. To achieve this purpose,
each party agrees to indemnify and hold harmless the other parry for any cost or expense that
may be imposed upon such other party solely by virtue of said §895.2. The provisions of
Civil Code §2778 are made a part hereof as if incorporated herein.
16. That the -covenants and provisions of the foregoing instrument shall be binding upon and
inure to the benefit of the successors and assigns of SCRRA and the CITY.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, THE CITY OF SANTA CLARITA has caused these presents to be
executed and attested by its duly qualified and authorized officials pursuant to authority regularly
granted them by its City Council and the SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL RAIL
AUTHORITY has executed these presents both as of the day and year first above written.
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA REGIONAL
Approved:
Title:
Approved-
//,
Railroad Avenue, Market Street - 6 - Cost and Maintenance Agreement
and Newhall spur project 8/5/97
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EXHIBIT A - PROJECT AREA
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Railroad Avenue, Market Street -7-
and
7 -and Newhall spur project
VICINITY MAP
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Cost and Maintenance Agreement
8/5/97
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Exmrr B - COST ESTIMATE
Railroad Avenue Improvement Project — Newhall, California
Item 1: Install two additional flashing light signals in raised medians (to be
constructed by city's contractor) and relocate two flashing light signals
with bells and gates at Crossing No. VY - 29.93 (U.S.DoT No. 746 017 R)
as part of the city's Market Street widening project. .Install
foundations, instrument cases, conduit and cabling as necessary.
Materials
Engineering _
Labor
Equipment Rental
Contingency _
Total Item 1
$52,190.00
$9,583.00
$23,812.00
:. $6,415.00
$8,000.00
$100,000.00
*Stem 2: Interconnect city -installed two -wire lead from traffic signals at the
San Fernando Road/Railroad Avenue intersection to railroad crossing
warning device controls at Crossing No. VY - 29.61 (U.S. DOT No. 746 018
X): Interconnect city,installed two -wire lead from traffic signals at the
Market Street/Railroad Avenue.intersection to railroad crossing warning
device controls at Crossing No. VY - 29.93 (U.S. DoT No. 746 017 R). See
contract, Paragraph 4, subparagraph E. The city -installed lead shall be
normally -energized as described in AAR's Signal Manual Part 3.1.10
Materials and labor for two
interconnections
Contingency
Total Item 2
$18,000.00
$2,000.00
$20,000.00
Item 3: Install one No. 10 turnout in the Terry Lumber spur (SPINS No. 8355), and
connect to it 1120 feet of track 30 feet east of SCRRA's main line track,
south,of the Drayton Street grade crossing (Crossing No. Vy - 32.36) in
Saugus. The turnout and track materials, including a hand -operated
derail, would be used. Remove the existing Newhall spur (SPINS -No.
8325). This work is subject to the approval of the Union Pacific
Railroad.
Install used No. 10 turnout
material and labor ......_...._._.__ $30,000.00
Install 1120 feet of used rail,
ties and track hardware on new
ballast; materials and labor _.__ $70,000.00
Sitework, other material as
required, and Newhall spur removal _ $18,000.00
Contingency _...__ $2,000.00
Total Item 3,_ _._ $120,000.00
Item 4: Install approximately 30 additional feet of concrete grade crossing
surface material, with 10 -foot ties and track material as necessary, at
Market Street grade crossing, Crossing No. VY.- 29.93 (U.S.DOT No. 746
017 R).
Total Item 4 __._......____$25,000.00
GRAND TOTAL _.___.$265,000.00
Railroad Avenue, Market Street - $ - Cost and Maintenance Agreement
and Newhall spur project 8/5/97
11 O)IIMETROLINK
October 30, 1997
Mr. Anthony J. Nisich, Director of
Building and Engineering Services
City of Santa Clarita Public Works Dept.
23920 Valencia Boulevard Suite 300
Santa Clarita
Dear Mr. Nisich:
CA 91355-2196
Southern California Regional Rail Authority
700 South Flower Street, 26th Floor
Los Angeles, California 90017-4606
REGEIVE17
File: S0000470
50000469 0 C T S ' t997
iransportatior 9, EwineeringSarV1C"
City or Santa Clarita
RAILROAD AVENUE PROJECT
RELOCATION OF NEWHALL SPUR: REOUEST FOR
INCREASE IN COST AND MAINTENANCE AGREEMENT
This regards your Railroad Avenue alteration and widening project, and relocation of Union
Pacific Railroad Company's Newhall spur out of Newhall by SCRRA.
As you are aware, we have executed a cost and maintenance agreement with the city for four
SCRRA tasks associated with your project[1]. The agreement provides for recollection of our
actual costs with an estimated total cost of $265,000. A fifth SCRRA task, installation of
fencing, was verbally requested by the city and would have been memorialized by some kind of
correspondence or MOU later in your project schedule. This work will cost approximately
$52,000[2]. Taken together, SCRRA work in the Railroad Avenue project would have cost
approximately $317,000[3].
The construction of new spur trackage in Saugus to replace the Newhall spur has turned out to be
more complicated than originally estimated. We request an increase of $50,000 in our estimate
for the work described in the cost and maintenance agreement, for a total estimate of $315,000.
This represents a 19% increase in the agreement estimate, and a 16% increase in overall SCRRA
costs. The reasons for this increase follow.
1. a) Relocation of the Newhall spur; b) widening of the Market Street grade crossing in Newhall; c) grade
crossing signal work at the Market Street grade crossing; and, d) interconnection of two signalized traffic
intersections with railroad crossing warning systems.
2. Based on the city's plans, SCRRA would install 1300 feet of new fencing and relocate 1100 feet of existing
fencing. Our costs for new wive -mesh barrier fencing typically runs $30/foot. One of our contractors has told
us a lateral relocation of existing fencing would cost $12/foot.
3. This does not include SCRRA safety services (flagging and inspection) paid for by your contractor under a
contractor - SCRRA right -of -entry agreement. Very often a contractor will recollect these costs from an
owner on an actual cost basis.
Mr. Anthony Nisich October 30; 1997
Railroad Avenue project and Newhall spur relocation Page 2
What we originally assumed
Relocation of UP's spur track use was originally estimated as track work only. Installation of
1120 feet of used rail, ties and a turnout was estimated at $100,000, and sitework and other
material was assumed to be $20,000 (a small contingency was included). There was no inclusion
of signal work or engineering or any formal engineering design work in this estimate. The
original concept was based on adding track to the existing Terry Lumber spur off the main track
south of Drayton Street. Beyond a sketch of the work, all engineering design would have been
taken care of in the field. The chemical car storage function of the Newhall spur would have
been added to the existing UP movements on and off the main line on either side of Drayton
Street, as a simple change in operations.
What will be required
Upon further investigation it was found that positioning the additional turnout required a more
careful design effort. We found that the Terry Lumber spur itself, into the Terry Lumber
property, would have to be shoved and reconfigured. A billboard will have to be removed to a
new location. We also found that critical train control signal facilities were impacted by the new
track. A block signal and tower south of Drayton Street would have to be moved 80 feet south
(measured parallel to the main track) to provide the required clearances around the new turnout.
This is a major task. Additionally, the frequent use of spur trackage at this location for storage
would have an unacceptable impact on main track operations (particularly passenger schedules),
unless movements between the UP Saugus Yard and the new spur track were taken off the main
line. Conversely, UP's use of the new spur would have been adversely impacted by designing
moves into and out of a full CTC control point, over two power switches, for each shove of _
freight cars into storage. This cast doubt on their continued acquiescence to the relocation.
Neither passenger nor freight operations could be reasonably accommodated without going to
another alternative: a new track across Drayton Street within the existing grade crossing.
Shared costs
As part of our request for the $50,000 increase in the cost and maintenance agreement estimate
we reemphasize our intention to recollect only our actual costs generated by the Railroad Avenue
project. Additionally, we are prepared to share some costs. SCRRA is preparing a construction
package for competitive bidding early next year which includes improvements to Saugus siding
north of Drayton Street[4]. We mention this capital improvement here because there will be
costs, generated now by the Railroad Avenue work, that can also be classifiedas part of our
capital work. Specifically, the new track through Drayton Street would eventually allow us to
simplify Saugus Control Point. I have been given authority to say that 50% of the new track
through Drayton Street, including the crossing surface panels, would be charged to the capital
project. Only half its cost would be charged to the Newhall spur realignment. Additional
trackage north of Drayton Street that we build now will also be considered part of our capital
4. During September there were discussions about including the Newhall spur relocation in this package. An
advantage would have been one comprehensive design and construction effort with a cost savings for both
the city and SCRRA. However, as this would have pushed the Railroad Avenue - related construction into
Spring, 1997. This idea was unacceptable to the city and we dropped it.
Mr. Anthony Nisich October 30, 1997
Railroad Avenue project and Newhall spur relocation Page 3
improvement. All new construction south of Drayton Street will, as originally agreed to, be
charged to the Newhall spur relocation.
The signal work needed now for the relocation is unique to this project. It is the major
unanticipated task that is expected to push our costs pass the estimated total in our agreement.
The extra engineering design effort was also unanticipated. We do not have itemized estimates
for this extra work.: Because of the city's request that all of this be expedited we have asked the
Signal and Track Depts. to go ahead, design, and do what needs to. be done. The additional
$50,000 requested is a realistic concept estimate, based on somewhat similar projects in the past.
Our work schedule
We are attempting to schedule construction of the new track through Drayton Street, with
concrete surface panels, during the weekend of November 15th - 16th. If we can get this work
done before Thanksgiving, an early December relocation of UP's spur use to the new location
looks like a realistic goal. Given fair weather and no other priority demands on our forces, we
hope to meet a target date of December 10th.
Our track maintenance forces do many crossings each year, and they do excellent work quickly.
During their work Drayton Street will have to be fully closed to motor traffic. We have contacted
Los Angeles County Sanitation District No. 26 and also Keysor - Century Corp. They have
agreed to keep their grade crossing and plant gates open through the weekend to allow emergency
fire/life/safety access down Springbrook Avenue. However, Keysor gets rail. cars during
weekends, and ordinary traffic through Keysor's train yard for retail trade in this otherwise
landlocked area is not appropriate. We have talked to Terry Lumber and hope to work out some
arrangement to keep Drayton Street open, for abbreviated business hours, on Saturday.
We ask that the city provide, at its cost, the following for our Drayton Street work:
Permit the closure of Drayton Street to motor traffic from 8:00 pm Friday evening,
November 14th, to 6:00 pm Sunday afternoon, November 16th. This will allow us to
negotiate directly with Terry Lumber for whatever Saturday access we can provide,
without additional iterations through the city permit process.
2. Work area traffic control for the closure, based on WATCH Manual recommendations, to
a level deemed appropriate by the city. Advance notification signage would be helpful.
Our Signal Dept. will relocate the westbound flashing light grade crossing signal with gate
and bell 15 feet east just prior to our trackwork. Our signal crews haven't sandblasting
equipment or pavement marking material, so we ask that the city repaint the pavement
stop bar when we relocate the gate.
4. Advance notification to residences and businesses in the landlocked area. We can work
with you on this, but any effort on our part would emphasize that the reason for the
closure is the Railroad Avenue project. If you already have a mailing list or established
channels of communication with this community it would be more logical for this message
Mr. Anthony Nisich October 30, 1997
Railroad Avenue project and Newhall spur relocation Page 4
to come directly from the city.
5. Notice to other affected city departments. We understand this is a routine part of your
permit process, and we will be submitting a permit application soon.
Other SCRRA activities
When available please provide us a schedule showing when you would like SCRRA to perform its
other Railroad Avenue -related work. The contractor's schedule should identify when SCRRA
relocations and installations, trenching and cabling, and electrical interconnections are necessary.
As stated in previous correspondence, we will do our best to accommodate your work schedule,
but alternative dates may become necessary. SCRRA track and signal construction work is
performed by personnel who already have full-time safety -sensitive work to do, and the safe
operation of Metrolink comes fust.
Public Utilities Commission requirements
The city is responsible for following up and obtaining a "GO - 88-A" letter approval from the
PUC for the Market Street grade crossing project. Mr Peter Lai at PUC's Traffic Engineering
Section in Los Angeles (213 897-8340) can help you with the letter application. You can use the
application we filed October 14th for the Drayton Street work as a sample.
The PUC also needs a letter from the city agreeing to our addition of track at Drayton Street.
The letter can be sent to Mr. Lai at the address shown on your copy of our application.
Fencing, and further questions ...
If our request is acceptable to you please indicate so by correspondence or by countersigning a
copy of this letter. If possible, please also indicate acceptance of our estimate for fencing and
agreement to pay actual fencing costs.
If you have any questions please contact me at 213 452-0217. For contractor's information
regarding SCRRA flagging and inspection services please contact Mr. Naresh Patel, SCRRA
Right -of -Way Engineer, at 452-0256. Our mailing address is P. O. Box 86425, Los Angeles,
90086-0425.
Sincerely yours,
TER
Public Projects Engineer
(distribution list on following page)
Mr. Anthony Nisich
Railroad Avenue project and Newhall spur relocation
cc: Mr. T. Brad Therrien, Assistant City Engineer
City of Santa Clarita Public Works Dept.
23920 Valencia Boulevard Suite 300
Santa Clarita CA 91355-2196
Mr. Roubik Mardirosian, Associate Civil
Engineer - City of Santa.Clarita Public Works Dept
23920 Valencia Boulevard Suite 300
Santa Clarita CA 91355-2196
October 30, 1997
Page 5
Richard Stanger - SCRRA Mike McGinley - SCRRA
Dan Guerrero - SCRRA Dave Mansheim - SCRRA
Ron Mathieu - SCRRA Renee Berlin - MTA No. County Area Team
Naresh Patel - SCRRA