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Date

May 4, 2009

 

Agenda Item No.       6B

Roll Call No.              09-

Communication No.  09-284

Submitted by:  Jeb E. Brewer, P.E., City Engineer and Donald M. Tripp, Park and Recreation Director

 

 

AGENDA HEADING:

 

Ordering construction of the following:  Waveland Trail Phase 1 from the Walnut Creek Trail to 56th Street - Receiving bids, (5-19-09), and Setting date of hearing, (6-8-09).  (Construction Estimate - $330,000).

 

 

SYNOPSIS:

 

Recommend the City Council proceed with construction of this improvement and set dates to receive bids and hold a public hearing, as required by Iowa Code, utilizing the method of financing referenced below.  This project provides for the construction of a 10’ wide trail from the existing Walnut Creek Trail east of 63rd Street and north of Grand Avenue to 56th Street at the I-235 interchange.  The trail follows a northeasterly route along the east side of the publicly-owned greenway to Pleasant Drive, where it will pass under the new bridge, which is currently under construction.  The proposed trail will connect many of Des Moines’ west-side neighborhoods to the Central Iowa Trail System.

 

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

 

Amount:  $330,000 City Engineer's Estimate

 

Funding Source:  2009-2010 CIP, Page Park-22, Recreation Trails, PKS045, being:  80% of eligible construction costs ($150,000 maximum) in Federal Surface Transportation Program - Transportation Enhancement Funds and $180,000 in City G. O. Bonds

 

 

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

 

The Waveland Trail will be the next trail constructed in the City of Des Moines.  This multi-phased trail will connect many of Des Moines’ west-side neighborhoods to the Central Iowa Trail System.  The Waveland Trail - Phase I route was approved by the City Council on March 24, 2008, and starts at the Walnut Creek Trail east of 63rd Street and north of Grand Avenue.  The trail follows a northeasterly route along the east side of what is commonly known as Gulf/Cummins Creek along the publicly owned greenway to Pleasant Drive, where it passes under the bridge, which is currently under construction.  The bridge has been designed to coordinate with the trail and will allow adequate clearance for the trail to pass beneath it.

 

On the north side of the bridge, the route enters onto private property at 5833 Pleasant Drive, continuing easterly on a route parallel to Interstate 235 (I-235) along the north edge of this property to the 56th Street and I-235 interchange.  This trail route minimizes the amount of private property needed for the trail.  In addition, the proposed alignment on the east side of the creek eliminates the need to construct a bridge across the creek and allows for minimal additional disturbance to the environment as the greenway between Pleasant Drive and the end of Ronwood Drive is maintained as manicured grass.

 

As part of the design process for the Waveland Trail, Councilperson Hensley and several neighborhood residents inquired if housing could be developed on the old 56th Street onramp, now Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT) excess property, and also allow the trail to connect to 56th Street.  Staff reviewed the area to see if 4 to 6 single-family house lots could be developed and still allow the trail to meet Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) guidelines. 

 

There is approximately a 44-foot drop in elevation from 56th Street near Pleasant Drive to the northwest corner of the IDOT excess property along the freeway.  This large drop in elevation made it challenging to design the Waveland Trail to comply with the requirements of the ADA, which requires a maximum grade of 5 percent.  During design, several alternative alignments were evaluated.  The only one that would comply with the ADA requirements required the trail to be located near Pleasant Drive, which is how the trail has been designed.  The alternative alignments could not be brought into compliance with the requirement and also required a significant amount of fill with an estimated additional cost of $150,000 to $200,000.  The location near Pleasant Drive was shown in the Trail Alignment for Waveland Trail, Phase 1 approved by the City Council on March 24, 2008.  The current design provides a safe and ADA compliant trail alignment.  The design provides the most economical and user-friendly facility to traverse this difficult topographical area.

 

Despite the difficulty of adding house lots to this property and still allowing the trail to meet ADA guidelines, staff believes that it is possible to develop one single-family house lot located at the southwest corner of the IDOT excess property without impacting the trail and will work toward creating this lot upon the completion of the trail construction.

 

The Engineering Department has prepared plans, specifications, form of contract documents, and City Engineer’s estimate for the construction of the Waveland Trail Phase 1 from the Walnut Creek Trail to 56th Street, 11-2006-006.  The improvement includes constructing a 10-foot wide hot mix asphalt trail 6.0 inches thick, earthwork, clearing and grubbing, culverts, and other incidental items; in accordance with the contract documents, including Plans File Nos. 496-001/041, on Waveland Trail from the existing Walnut Creek Trail just east of 63rd Street to 56th Street at Interstate 235 in Des Moines, Iowa.

 

The estimated construction cost is $330,000.  The proposed plans, specifications, and form of contract documents are available for public inspection in the City Engineer's Office.

 

 

 

PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION(S): 

 

Date: August 11, 2008

 

Roll Call Number: 08-1401

 

Action:  Approving Iowa Department of Transportation Agreement for Waveland Trail – Phase 1.  (Council Communication No.  08-477)  Moved by Hensley to adopt.  Motion Carried 7-0.  

 

Date:  March 24, 2008

 

Roll Call Number:  08-531

 

Action:              Waveland Trail Phase I recommended trail route.  (Council Communication No.  08-156)  Moved by Hensley to approve.  Motion Carried 6-1.  Absent:  Meyer.

 

 

BOARD/COMMISSION ACTION(S):

 

Date:  February 26, 2008

 

Roll Call Number:  Parks and Recreation Board

 

Action:            Approval of Recommended Route and Public Input Report

 

 

ANTICIPATED ACTIONS AND FUTURE COMMITMENTS:

 

Anticipated actions include public hearing, receive and file bids, designate lowest bidder, and approve contract and bond; also partial payments to the contractor and final acceptance of work.

 

 

 

 

For more information on this and other agenda items, please call the City Clerk’s Office at 515-283-4209 or visit the Clerk’s Office on the second floor of City Hall, 400 Robert D. Ray Drive.  Council agendas are available to the public at the City Clerk’s Office on Thursday afternoon preceding Monday’s Council meeting.  Citizens can also request to receive meeting notices and agendas by email by calling the Clerk’s Office or sending their request via email to cityclerk@dmgov.org.