Escambia County Bridge Program - Rehabilitation Needs
From:
Joy Jones, Director
Organization:
Engineering
CAO Approval:
RECOMMENDATION:
Recommendation Concerning the Escambia County Bridge Program - Joy Jones, P.E., Engineering Department Director
That the Board approve bringing forward $977,559, available in Fund 353, Local Option Sales Tax (LOST) IV, Cost Center 210106, from Fiscal Year 2021 to Fiscal Year 2020 for the Escambia County Bridge Program to fund existing and expected bridge rehabilitation needs.
This project is located in Commission Districts 1-5.
BACKGROUND:
Escambia County is responsible for 145 bridges. Bridge rehabilitations are initiated and funded through the Engineering Department's LOST IV Bridge Program. Bridge replacements are funded through cooperation with the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) 5 year work plan, grants or LOST IV funds.
Currently, most bridges in Escambia County are formally inspected by FDOT (134) or Escambia County (11) every one to two years, based on the condition of each bridge. Bridge Inspection Reports (BIR) provide information regarding bridge status, maintenance requirements, and identify any new rehabilitation/replacement requirements.
An average of 10 bridge inspections are performed every month.
Upon inspection, if FDOT determines rehabilitation action is required, they issue a “Prompt Corrective Action” (PCA) notice letter. Typically, the County has 30 days to begin corrective action to maintain load limits or to lower the limit as directed in the PCA letter. If problems are severe and the load requirement is or would fall below 5 tons, which impacts safety, then closure might be required.
Rehabilitation projects are initiated to prevent closure and load reductions.
Currently, there are 12 bridges that have either been issued a PCA or have been identified as needing rehabilitation (details attached) at a cost totaling $652,080 (with 10% contingency). More bridge rehabilitations are anticipated due to the age of many of the timber and steel bridges in the County.
The LOST IV Bridge Program currently needs funding, and inspections will continue to be performed in 2020. Engineering staff requests that $977,559 from LOST IV be brought forward to Fiscal Year 2020 from the Fiscal Year 2021 Bridge Replacement and Bridge Rehab line items (see attached).
BUDGETARY IMPACT:
Funding is currently programmed in Fund 353, Local Option Sales Tax IV, Cost Center 210106.
LEGAL CONSIDERATIONS/SIGN-OFF:
N/A
PERSONNEL:
N/A
POLICY/REQUIREMENT FOR BOARD ACTION:
Scheduling and prioritization of Capital Improvement Projects are at the discretion of the Board.
IMPLEMENTATION/COORDINATION:
Upon Board approval of this request, a Budget Amendment will be forwarded to the Office of Management and Budget to reallocate the funds to the appropriate project.