Title
Hines Hill Road and Valley View Road Sidewalk Project
Brief Description: Based upon Council input from the January 9, 2024, Council Workshop, staff has proceeded with further evaluating the Hines Hill Road and Valley View Road sidewalk project alignments and budget. Staff will present updates on the design and next steps towards construction of new sidewalks on Hines Hill Road (between Valley View Road and Glastonbury Drive) and Valley View Road (between Hines Hill Road and Hunting Hollow Drive) and potential extension of additional sidewalk along Valley View Road from Hines Hill Road to Wethersfield Drive.
Body
Legislative History
23-68 - Enter into professional services agreement with AECOM; 5/16/2023
24-0003 - Discussion: Hines Hill and Valley View Road Sidewalk; 1/9/2024
Purpose & Explanation
At the January 9, 2024 Council workshop, Council requested that the design and costs associated with a sidewalk along Hines Hill Road be further evaluated to identify any cost increases to place the sidewalk fully along the north side of Hines Hill Road. Council also requested that staff investigate the cost to extend the sidewalk along Valley View Road to Wethersfield Drive.
The City’s consultant, AECOM, has proceeded with more data collection and updated the design to identify the costs for placing the sidewalk along the north side of Hines Hill Road. For the additional sidewalk along Valley View Road from Hines Hill Road to Wethersfield Drive, City staff has performed field surveying and preliminary design in-house. Staff has also had additional correspondence with residents regarding the proposed sidewalk alignment including impacts to trees in front of their properties.
A summary of the construction costs increase is shown on the attached Exhibits E and F.
In order to construct the project this summer, trees must be cut by March 31, 2024 (due to endangered bat species habitat protection requirements). Staff has commenced with marking trees to be removed, meeting with contractors to perform the tree removal work. Affected property owners were notified, via letter, of the upcoming tree removal work as well.
Based upon on-going public input, current staffing availability and increased project costs, staff has also evaluated other potential sidewalk alignment for Council’s consideration.
Staff is requesting concurrence from City Council for the updated project alignments, budget and project schedule ahead of finalizing the sidewalk’s design, tree removals, environmental permitting, and any acquisition of private property Work Agreements that are currently scheduled for this spring ahead of construction in summer 2024.
Fiscal Impact
Currently Budgeted
X Supplemental Appropriation Required ($1,700,000 - 430 fund)
Appropriation Not Required.
Recommendation
Suggested Action
The City Administration recommends City Council consider further project alignments, budget and schedule prior to making a motion to proceed to final design with the City’s consultant.
Submitted by,
Thomas J. Sheridan, City Manager
Bradley Kosco, P.E., P.S., City Engineer
Jonathon Szalay, P.E., Senior Engineer