Replacement of the Weir Road low water crossing of Cibolo Creek with a larger, more robust crossing structure is identified as a Drainage Capital Improvement Project scheduled sometime after 2030.  In mid-July Schertz experienced a heavy rain event that caused some localized flash flooding.  One result of this event was damage to the Weir Road crossing.  Initial inspections of the crossing done after water levels began to recede identified some damage, but the hope was that the main part of the crossing structure was still intact.  It was hoped that the crossing could be restored with a relatively low amount of effort.

Unfortunately, as the water levels dropped closer to baseline flows and debris was cleared from the structure, it was discovered that the main part of the crossing structure had sustained significant damage.  This damage includes the destruction of part of the culverts and undermining of the structure.  More extensive work is needed in order to re-open the crossing than originally thought.  One of the City's on-call firms, Halff Associates, was contacted to help evaluate the damage and to design a repair.  A scope and fee proposal was created, with input from staff, to correct the issue.  The scope of the work by Halff has two parts.  The first part is to identify and implement a repair to the crossing structure so the roadway can be re-opened to traffic and quickly as possible.  The second part of the proposal will include a hydraulic evaluation to determine what type of new structure would be needed for different design storms.  Options for a long-term solution that will improve the crossing structure will be identified.  For each option, an initial cost estimate will also be provided.  This will allow the City to identify the most appropriate option to pursue for the Capital Improvement project and provide a better cost estimate for the project.  The information can also be used to inform a decision to possibly move up the Capital Improvement Project.

Council approval of the Task Order will allow the City to proceed as quickly as possible with an initial restoration effort to re-open the crossing as quickly as possible and to better plan for the future Capital Improvement Project to replace the crossing with a better structure.

To approve a Task Order to repair the damaged Weir Road crossing structure as quickly as possible and identify an appropriate long-term crossing replacement strategy.

Repairing the damaged crossing structure will allow the roadway to be re-opened, restoring an existing connection across Cibolo Creek for area residents.  The future planning component of the design effort will provide more detailed information for the City to better identify a long term solution to improve the crossing structure to provide a more robust crossing structure for this connection to help reduce or eliminate future extended closures of this crossing structure.

Staff recommends approval of the Task Order with Halff Associates to identify and implement repairs to the Weir Road crossing structure so the roadway can be re-opened as soon as possible and to identify options for a replacement/upgrade of the crossing structure.

The not to exceed cost of the scope and fee proposal is $160,000 ($147,525 plus $12,475 of contingency). This project will initially be charged to the Engineering Operating Budget and staff will propose to adjust the budget at the next quarterly budget amendment item.

Approve Resolution 26-R-118