Consideration and Possible Approval: Letter from the Mayor and Flagstaff MetroPLan to the State of Arizona Transportation Board for the Rt.66/Rio de Flag Bridge Replacement project.

• The State of Arizona had programmed, planned, and designed a project to replace the existing bridge that crosses the Rio de Flag at Route 66.
• The State of Arizona had scheduled the delivery of the project for the spring in the FY 20 budget season. 
• The City of Flagstaff had planned and designed a project to relocate public utilities (sewer, reclaim water and stormdrain) from the area of the proposed bridge replacement project.
• The City of Flagstaff and the State of Arizona executed an IGA (Resolution 2019-51) at the end of the calendar year 2019 regarding items of work necessary for the bridge replacement project and the future Rio de Flag Flood Control Project.  
• Through the executed IGA (resolution 2019-51) the City of Flagstaff transferred $677,538 to the State of Arizona in January 2020.  
• The $677,538 was encumbered and paid from the Rio de Flag project account (206-08385-3236-0-4433)
• The City of Flagstaff procured a construction contractor in the amount of $1,286,995 for work to relocate the public utilities (sewer, reclaimed water and storm drain)
• The State of Arizona had informed the City of Flagstaff the bridge replacement project has been deferred for one fiscal year.  The scheduled delivery of the project is now set for the spring, FY 21. 

Background/History:
ADOT has programmed, planned, and designed a project to replace the existing bridge that crosses the Rio de Flag at Route 66. The ADOT project was scheduled to take place during the construction season of 2020.

The Rio de Flag Flood Control project is designing a Flagstaff Urban Trail and the main stem (drainage structure) to extend beneath the Rt. 66 bridge. The depth of the drainage structure is below the existing channel elevation and the F.U.T.S is at or near the channel elevation. The City and ADOT have been coordinating a plan to construct the F.U.T.S and drainage structure in a safe and efficient manner.

In 2019, ADOT disclosed its intentions to replace the existing bridge. The City and ADOT discussed the idea of having the ADOT contractor excavate the material and backfill to accommodate the F.U.T.S. and drainage structure while they construct the new bridge. This idea would provide assurance for ADOT that when the box culvert is constructed, the work would not adversely impact the new bridge.

The agreed-upon work described in the IGA/JPA will accommodate the new ADOT bridge and future construction of the F.U.T.S and drainage structure. ADOT will be administering the project, including the work described in the IGA/JPA.

A Special Arizona State Transportation Board meeting was held on April 28, 2020, and ADOT's Rio de Flag Bridge replacement project was recommended for deferral and approved by the Board.

Policy Impact:
No impact.

Connection to Council Goal, Regional Plan:
Council Goal 2017 – 2019 - Transportation and Other Public Infrastructure
Deliver quality community assets and continue to advocate and implement a highly performing multi-modal transportation system.

Council Goal 2017 – 2019 - Environmental and Natural Resources 
Actively manage and protect all environmental and natural resources.

Regional Plan – Policy WR 5
Manage watersheds and stormwater to address flooding concerns, water quality, environmental protections and rainwater harvesting.

Team Flagstaff Strategic Plan – Priority 3
Deliver outstanding services through a healthy environment, resources and infrastructure.

Has There Been Previous Council Decision on This:
No previous Council Decision