Bee Branch Creek Railroad Culverts Project Presentation and Video Copyrig hted
November 16, 2020
City of Dubuque Action Items #4.
City Council Meeting
ITEM TITLE: Bee Branch Creek Railroad Culverts Project Presentation and Video
Update
SUMMARY: Steve Brown, Engineering Project Manager, and Deron Muehring, Civil
Engineer I I, will present an update of the Bee Branch Creek Railroad
Culverts Project. Media Services will show a video update of the
P roject.
SUGGESTED Receive and File; Video Presentation Suggested Disposition:
DISPOSITION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Type
Bee Branch Railroad Culverts Project Update Supporting Documentation
Bee Branch
Railroad Culverts
Project
Monday, November 16, 2020
Engineering Department
2
Overview
▪History and Impact of Flooding in the Bee Branch
▪Bee Branch Watershed Flood Mitigation Project
▪Phases
▪Funding
▪Bee Branch Railroad Culvert Project
▪It's Importance
▪Project Challanges
▪Status
3
Bee Branch Watershed
▪6.5 square miles
▪50% Dubuque citizens live or work
within the Bee Branch watershed
4
▪1,150 Homes/ Businesses
at Risk of Flooding
▪1,370 Homes/ Businesses
at Risk of Flooding
5
History of Flooding
Presidential Disaster Declaration: May 21, 1999
Disaster #1277
Reason for Declaration Flooding, severe storms, tornadoes
Cause of Damage 3 inches of rain in 1.5 hours
Presidential Disaster Declaration: June 19, 2002
Disaster #1420
Reason for Declaration Flooding and storms
Cause of Damage 4.9 inches of rain in 24 hours
Presidential Disaster Declaration: June 2, 2004
Disaster #1518
Reason for Declaration Flooding, severe storms, tornadoes
Cause of Damage 3.9 inches of rain in 48 hours
Presidential Disaster Declaration: May 27, 2008
Disaster #1763
Reason for Declaration Flooding, severe storms, tornadoes
Cause of Damage 15.7 inches of rain in 2 months
Presidential Disaster Declaration: August 14, 2010
Disaster #1930
Reason for Declaration Flooding, severe storms, tornadoes
Cause of Damage 4.8 inches of rain in 12 hours
Presidential Disaster Declaration: August 30, 2011
Disaster #4018
Reason for Declaration Flooding, severe storms, tornadoes
Cause of Damage 10.2 inches of rain in 12 hours
6
Recent Weather Patterns
▪From 1999 to 2011, Dubuque witnessed three 100 -year storms
▪What was once considered the 100 -year event is now considered the 50-year event
Frequency
(Years)
24-Hr Rainfall Amounts (Inches)
1992 1 2013 2
50 5.73 6.54
100 6.36 7.65
500 -10.70
1 1992 Rainfall Frequency Atlas of the Midwest (Huff & Angel)
2 2013 NOAA Atlas 14, Precipitation-Frequency Atlas of the United States, Volume 8
“winter and spring
precipitation . . . in
the Midwest are
projected to increase
by up to 30% by the
end of this century.”Climate Science Special Report: Fourth National Climate
Assessment,Volume I (Easterling, D.R. et. al., 2018)
"Precipitation is projected
to increase in Iowa . In
addition,extreme
precipitation is projected to
increase, potentially
increasing the frequency
and intensity of floods."Frankson, R., K. Kunkel, S. Champion, and J.
Runkle, 2017: Iowa State Climate Summary.
NOAA Technical Report NESDIS 149-IA, 4 pp.
9
Trending Weather Patterns
▪By the end of the 21st century, what was once considered the 100 -year
event could be four times more likely to occur in any given year
Frequency
(Years)
24-Hour Rainfall Amounts (Inches)
19921 20132 21003
50 5.73 6.54 7.45
100 6.36 7.65 8.52
500 -10.70 11.20
1 1992 Rainfall Frequency Atlas of the Midwest (Huff & Angel)
2 2013 NOAA Atlas 14, Precipitation-Frequency Atlas of the United States, Volume 8
3 Projected based on 2018 Climate Science Special Report: Fourth National Climate Assessment, Vol. I (Easterling, D.R. et. al.)
~14% increase
~11% increase
~5% increase
10
▪Reduce the volume of stormwater,
▪Slow the rate and timing of stormwater flow
through the upper watershed, and
▪Increase safe stormwater conveyance through the
flood-prone area.
Bee Branch
Watershed Flood
Mitigation Project
11
▪Prevent an estimated
$582 million in
damages over the 21st
century.
Bee Branch
Watershed Flood
Mitigation Project
12
Funded Flood Mitigation Improvements Cost
Carter Road Detention Basin $1,076,315
West 32nd Street Detention Basin $4,158,589
Lower Bee Branch Creek Restoration $21,274,700
Historic Millwork District Complete Streets $7,977,311
Flood Mitigation Gate & Pump Replacement $17,091,000 *
Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration $60,995,000 *
22nd Street/Kaufmann Storm Sewer Capacity Improvements $8,771,000 *
Bee Branch Creek Railroad Culverts $31,654,000 *
17th Street/W. Locust Storm Sewer Capacity Improvements $7,368,300 *
North End Storm Sewer Capacity Improvements $1,400,000 *
Flood Mitigation Maintenance Facility $5,550,000 *
Water Plant Flood Protection $4,400,000 *
Impervious Surface Reduction (Green Alleys)$57,420,000 *
Bee Branch Healthy Homes $8,427,665 *
Total Cost:$237,564,000 *
Total Grant Funding:
Total City Share:
$163,015,016
$74,548,981
22nd Street/Kaufmann Storm Sewer Capacity Improvements (N. Main to Kane)$17,770,000 *
17th Street/W. Locust Storm Sewer Capacity Improvements (Bee Branch to Elm)$4,492,600 *
17th Street/W. Locust Storm Sewer Capacity Improvements (Heeb to Rosedale)$23,090,000 *
Unfunded Flood Mitigation Improvements
13
Funded Flood Mitigation Improvements Cost
Carter Road Detention Basin $1,076,315
West 32nd Street Detention Basin $4,158,589
Lower Bee Branch Creek Restoration $21,274,700
Historic Millwork District Complete Streets $7,977,311
Flood Mitigation Gate & Pump Replacement $17,091,000 *
Upper Bee Branch Creek Restoration $60,995,000 *
22nd Street/Kaufmann Storm Sewer Capacity Improvements $8,771,000 *
Bee Branch Creek Railroad Culverts $31,654,000 *
17th Street/W. Locust Storm Sewer Capacity Improvements $7,368,300 *
North End Storm Sewer Capacity Improvements $1,400,000 *
Flood Mitigation Maintenance Facility $5,550,000 *
Water Plant Flood Protection $4,400,000 *
Impervious Surface Reduction (Green Alleys)$57,420,000 *
Bee Branch Healthy Homes $8,427,665 *
Total Cost:$237,564,000 *
Total Grant Funding:
Total City Share:
$163,015,016
$74,548,981
22nd Street/Kaufmann Storm Sewer Capacity Improvements (N. Main to Kane)$17,770,000 *
17th Street/W. Locust Storm Sewer Capacity Improvements (Bee Branch to Elm)$4,492,600 *
17th Street/W. Locust Storm Sewer Capacity Improvements (Heeb to Rosedale)$23,090,000 *
Unfunded Flood Mitigation Improvements
For every $1 invested by the
City, almost $8 in flood
damage will be avoided over
the design life of the project.
Bee Branch
Creek
Restoration
15
Comiskey
Park
Creek Restoration Alignment Study
16th Street
Detention
Basin
In 2004 the
alignment
recommended
by the citizen
committee is
adopted by the
City Council.
16
16th Street
Detention
Basin
Lower Bee Branch
Project
Limits
Creek Restoration
17
Lower Bee Branch
18
Upper Bee Branch
19
16th Street
Detention
Basin
Project
LimitsUpper Bee Branch
Railroad Culverts
Bee Branch Creek
Railorad Culverts
Project
21
Railroad Culverts: The Need
22
1.7 inches of rain in 90 minutes in 2014
(Between a 2-and 5-year event)
Project Need
Railroad Culverts
23
without
Railroad Culvert
Improvements
with Railroad Culvert Improvements
Project Need
Railroad Culverts
24
Railroad Culverts: The Challenges
Interstate Commerce Commission
Termination Act of 1995:
Alignment established in 2004
Avoid unreasonable interference
with railroad operations
25
Railroad Culverts
2007
IC&E Railroad
Negotiations with owners of the railroad
2008
DM&E Railroad
2010
CP Railroad
26
Railroad Culverts
▪Alignment
established
in 2013
Creek Restoration Through the Railroad Property
27
Railroad Culverts
Property
Acquisition
Canadian Pacific
B&M Properties &
Storage, LLC
HWY 151 & 61
Development LLC
Robert Klauer
(Dubuque Flooring
& Furniture)
Garfield
(lower) Bee
28
Railroad Culverts
Existing Infrastructure
Existing Box Culverts
Existing Bee Branch
Existing RR Culverts
29
Railroad Culverts
Proposed Infrastructure
Proposed Culverts
(Tunneled)
Proposed
Transition Structure
Proposed Outfall
Structure
Proposed Box Culverts
30
Canadian Pacific
•Permanent easement for existing box culverts and proposed tunneled
culverts under CP tracks;
•Permanent easement for hike/bike trail from Garfield Avenue to the
existing box culverts;
•Temporary construction easement through CP’s track ROW;
•Temporary construction easement through CP’s existing parking lot,
near their yard office; and
•Temporary access easement along CP tracks from 16th Street to the
site of the proposed improvements.
Railroad Culverts
Property Acquisitions
31
Evolution of Railroad Negotiations:
Canadian Pacific
▪MOU (2012)
-Service Agreement
-Construction Agreement
-Easement Agreements
▪Service Agreement (2012 and amended in 2015 & 2017)
-Paid CP over $100,000
▪License Agreement for Sanitary Sewer (August of 2015)
-Paid CP $15,500
▪Construction Agreement (2018)
-Paid CP over $100,000 to date
32
Existing Box Culverts
Condition Assessment: Comprehensive Inspection
According to Strand/IIW,
“the twin box culvert is in good
condition with little to no signs of
post-construction displacement.
The structure appears suitable to
continue to support the earth and
rail loadings, convey stormwater,
and provide passage for
pedestrians and bicyclists if
repurposed.”
34
Existing Box Culverts
Feasibility of Dual Use: ADA Compliant Hike/Bike Path
35
▪City required to utilize steel pipe with a welded joint versus a mechanical joint
Railroad Culverts
Engineering / Construction
36
Railroad
Culverts
Mechanical
Joint
37
▪City can utilize steel pipe with mechanical joints
▪City prohibited from construction from November 15 to April 15
Railroad Culverts
Engineering / Construction
38
▪City can utilize steel pipe with mechanical joints
▪City prohibited from construction from November 15 to April 15 but City can
work anytime if more than 25 feet from the tracks
Railroad Culverts
Engineering / Construction
39
▪City can utilize steel pipe with mechanical joints
▪City prohibited from construction from November 15 to April 15 but City can
work anytime if more than 25 feet from the tracks
▪City must stop tunneling activity under mainline tracks when in use.
Railroad Culverts
Engineering / Construction
40
Railroad
Culverts
Zone of
Influence
41
▪City can utilize steel pipe with mechanical joints
▪City prohibited from construction from November 15 to April 15 but City can
work anytime if more than 25 feet from the tracks
▪City must stop tunneling activity under mainline tracks when in use but
only when tunneling within the zone of influence
Railroad Culverts
Engineering / Construction
Stopping only required when the cutting edge is within
mainline Zone of Influence
42
▪City can utilize steel pipe with mechanical joints
▪City prohibited from construction from November 15 to April 15 but City can
work anytime if more than 25 feet from the tracks
▪City must stop tunneling activity under mainline tracks when in use but only
when tunneling within the zone of influence
▪City restricted from utilizing certain, more cost -effective shoring methods
Railroad Culverts
Engineering / Construction
43
▪City can utilize steel pipe with mechanical joints
▪City prohibited from construction from November 15 to April 15 but City can
work anytime if more than 25 feet from the tracks
▪City must stop tunneling activity under mainline tracks when in use but only
when tunneling within the zone of influence
▪City restricted from utilizing certain, more cost -effective shoring methods
Railroad Culverts
Engineering / Construction
Tight sheeting acceptable 25 feet from tracks
44
Restricted from utilizing certain, more
cost-effective shoring methods.
45
▪City can utilize steel pipe with mechanical joints
▪City prohibited from construction from November 15 to April 15 but City can
work anytime if more than 25 feet from the tracks
▪City must stop tunneling activity under mainline tracks when in use but only
when tunneling within the zone of influence
▪City restricted from utilizing certain, more cost -effective shoring methods but
only when within 25 feet of the tracks
Railroad Culverts
Engineering / Construction
46
▪City can utilize steel pipe with mechanical joints
▪City prohibited from construction from November 15 to April 15 but City can
work anytime if more than 25 feet from the tracks
▪City must stop tunneling activity under mainline tracks when in use but only
when tunneling within the zone of influence
▪City restricted from utilizing certain, more cost -effective shoring methods but
only when within 25 feet of the tracks
▪CP requiring 4 weeks to review contractor submittals and change orders
Railroad Culverts
Engineering / Construction
47
▪City can utilize steel pipe with mechanical joints
▪City prohibited from construction from November 15 to April 15 but City can
work anytime if more than 25 feet from the tracks
▪City must stop tunneling activity under mainline tracks when in use but only
when tunneling within the zone of influence
▪City restricted from utilizing certain, more cost -effective shoring methods but
only when within 25 feet of the tracks
▪CP requiring 4 weeks to review contractor submittals and change orders
Railroad Culverts
Engineering / Construction
CP approval only required on elements impacting railroad loading
48
Railroad
Culverts
Abandon 60”
Storm Pipe
From 19th St.
49
50
51
Railroad
Culverts
Progress
Garfield Ave
•Box Culverts
52
Railroad
Culverts
Progress
•Launch Pit
53
Railroad Culverts
Under the Railroad Tracks
54
Welcome to Dubuque Uncle Mole
55
Railroad Culverts
Under the Railroad Tracks
•Microtunneling
56
Railroad
Culverts
Progress
•Steel Pipe
on Site
57
Railroad Culverts
Under the Railroad Tracks
•Microtunneling
58
•Microtunneling
59
60
•Track Settlement Monitoring
61
Railroad Culverts
Under the Railroad Tracks
•Slurry Separation Plant
62
Railroad Culverts
Watching
Construction
63
Railroad
Culverts
Watching
Construction !
64
Railroad Culverts
Project Cost Estimate (at award)
Engineering & Design $3,596,200
Property Acquisitions $410,000
Construction $25,900,000
Construction Contingency $1,279,149
TOTAL $31,185,349
SOURCE AMOUNT1
SRF Loan2 $16,300,100
HUD CDBG National Disaster Resiliency Grant $11,689,400
State Flood Mitigation Program Sales Tax Increment $2,831,000
Stormwater Utility Fee Revenue $364,800
TOTAL $31,185,300
1Rounded
2Repaid using State
Flood Mitigation
Program Sales Tax
Increment
Final project cost expected to be completed at approximately $700,000 (~2%) over budget which
would be covered using state sales tax increment funding.
This does not include the paving of the hike/bike trail that is funded but not yet under contract.
65
Existing Box Culverts
Dual Use: ADA Compliant Hike/Bike Path
66
Existing Box Culverts
Feasibility of Dual Use: ADA Compliant Hike/Bike Path
67
Existing Box Culverts
Feasibility of Dual Use: ADA Compliant Hike/Bike Path
Flood Gate
68
500-Year Flood
~3 feet below damage elevation
CONSTRUCTION
UPDATE VIDEO
Questions?
THANK YOU