Fengler St Bridge ReconstructMEMORANDUM
February 28,2002
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
The Honorable Mayor and City Council Members
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Fengler Street Bridge Reconstruction Project
Public Works Director Mike Koch is recommending a public hearing be scheduled for
April 1, 2002, to consider the Fengler Street Bridge Reconstruction Project.
concur with the recommendation and respectfully request Mayor and City Council
Michael C. Vah Milligen
MCVM/jh
Attachment
cc: Barry Lindahl, Corporation Counsel
Cindy Steinhauser, Assistant City Manager
Michael A. Koch, Public Works Director
TO:
FROM:
SUBJECT:
CITY OF DUBUQUE, IOWA
MEMORANDUM
February 26, 2002
Michael C. Van Milligen, City Manager
Michael A. Koch, Public Works Director
Fengler Street Bridge Reconstruction Project
INTRODUCTION
The enclosed resolutions authorize the public bidding procedure for the Fengler Street
Bridge Reconstruction Project.
BACKGROUND
The Fengler Street Bddge was closed in August of 2001 after an inspection by City staff
and IIW Engineers & Surveyors, P.C., observed an accelerated deterioration of the bridge
deck and support columns. Large sections of the underside of the concrete deck had fallen
from the bridge onto the railroad tracks below. With sections of the bridge deck in extremely
poor condition, it was possible that a heavy load could cause additional damage to the
deck, making it unsafe for traffic. For these reasons and in the interest of public safety, the
bddge was immediately closed.
Since the Fengler Street Bridge is such a vital connection to the Kerper Peninsula, and it's
closure effects emergency response time to the area, a priodty was placed on the timely
reconstruction of the bridge. Therefore, IIW Engineers was immediately retained to provide
the engineering design services to get the bridge back open to traffic as quickly as possible.
BRIDGE DECK DETERIORATION ANALYSIS
Due to the excessive and unusual deterioration of the existing concrete bridge deck directly
above the railroad mainline, staff had a full-depth section of the concrete deck removed and
sent to Construction Technology Laboratories, Inc., which performed a petrographic
examination and chemical analysis of the deck sample.
The lab found localized deterioration and spalling of the concrete, which was likely
instigated by expansive corrosion of the embedded reinforcing steel which was promoted by
penetration of moisture and high levels of chlorides that migrated through vertical cracks in
the bridge deck. The vertical cracks in the bridge deck were opened due to accelerated
cyclic freezing and thawing of the concrete deck directly above the mainline train track and
subjected to the heat of the locomotive engine exhaust.
Other factors which potentially contributed to the premature deterioration of the original
concrete deck included a moderate water-cement ratio with Iow levels of air content
(estimated 2% - 5%) which was likely insufficient to protect the concrete from damaging
freeze-thaw cycles. The asphalt overlay, which was added to the bridge deck in the late
1970's, may have been also a contributing factor to the continued deterioration of he
existing bridge.
MITIGATION MEASURES
Based upon the results of the examination and analysis of the deck sample, the findings
have been incorporated in the new concrete bridge design to prevent similar future
deterioration conditions. The new bridge will be constructed with improved methods and
materials including; epoxy coated reinforcing steel in the bridge deck and support columns;
the inclusion of a slag admixture in the concrete mix design which will make the bridge deck
more impermeable to chlodde penetration; and the construction of air vents between the
bridge deck and support beams which will aide in ventilating the underside of the bridge
and dissipate the heat of the locomotive engine exhaust.
DISCUSSION
The Fengler Street Bridge is in such poor condition that it would not be cost effective to
continue with spot repairs or perform some type of deck or pier retrofit repair project. Based
on this evaluation, staff is proposing to completely demolish and remove the existing bridge
deck, beams, and piers. The majority of the original pilings has been incorporated into the
new design. A new pretensioned-prestressed concrete beam bridge will be built in the same
location. An exhibit drawing is attached which shows an overhead view of the new bridge.
The new concrete structure will be constructed to current roadway and bridge geometry
design standards, including a wider 34-foot bridge roadway with an 8-inch thick concrete
deck. The bridge piers and abutment supports will be reconstructed in the approximate
same locations. The new bridge as proposed would have 5-foot sidewalks on each side of
the bridge with pedestrian sidewalks installed on both sides of the approach roadway, which
will match into both bridge sidewalks. Due to the steep side slopes at each roadway
approach section to the bridge, the outside edge of the sidewalks on grade will require the
installation of a pedestrian railing. The City's standard ornamental hoop railing will be used
along these sections.
Additionally, due to the steep side slopes at each roadway approach section to the bridge,
the design will include a concrete vehicular barrier rail, which will extend beyond the bridge
towards both Kerper and Garfield. The existing asphalt roadway approach pavement will be
removed and reconstructed with a concrete pavement, which will match into Garfield and
the newly-paved Kerper-Fengler intersection.
The substructure of the bridge has been designed to comply with both the horizontal and
vertical clearance requirements of the railroad. Because of limited lateral clearance to the
railroad tracks, the railroad is requiring that the bridge piers be constructed with crash walls,
which have been incorporated into the new structure design while utilizing as much of the
salvaged footing and pile foundation as possible.
ARCHITECTURAL ESTHETIC FEATURES
Other design components that are proposed for the Fengler Street Bridge include adding
several amhitectural esthetic features to the new structure which include; incorporating buff
colored concrete to the vehicular barrier rail; installing buff colored decorative concrete
balustrade railings on the outside of both bridge sidewalks; and installing six ornamental
lighting fixtures to the bridge. A drawing is attached which shows the proposed decorative
railing and lighting fixtures.
PROJECT SCHEDULE
The schedule for the project will be as follows:
Initiate Bidding Process
Advertise for Bids
Receipt of Bids
Notice of Public Hearing on Plans
and Specifications
Public Hearing
Award of Construction Contract
Early Completion Date
Late Completion Date
March 4, 2002
March 8, 2002
March 20, 2002
March 22, 2002
April1,2002
April1,2002
June 15,2002
June 30,2002
PROJECT COMPLETION INCENTIVE
Since the Fengler Street Bridge is such essential link to the Kerper Peninsula, staff is
recommending that an early completion incentive be included in the project. Should the
project be completed prior to the specified eady completion date of June 15, 2002, staff is
proposing a $3,000 bonus per calendar day, to a maximum of $50,000.
Conversely, should the project not be completed by the specified late completion date of
June 30, 2002, liquidated damages in the amount of $3,000 per calendar day will be
imposed.
RAILROAD COORDINATION
The project will require extensive and continued communication and coordination with the
railroad, I&M Rail Link. Staff is currently working with the railroad to develop a project
agreement, which will allow construction operations to take place within the railroad right-of-
way. The railroad will also require that a railroad employee (flagger) be on-site during
construction to coordinate train schedules and site safety with the bridge contractor. Staff is
proposing that the City hire the railroad flagger directly, which would eliminate this
unpredictable cost item to the bridge contractor. Staff estimates the cost of the railroad
personnel on-site during construction to be approximately $15,000.
RECOMMENDATION
I would recommend that the City Council establish the date for the public hearing, and
authorize the City Clerk to advertise for proposals.
BUDGET IMPACT
The construction cost estimate for the Fengler Street Bridge Reconstruction Project is as
follows:
Bridge Construction
Contingency (10%)
Engineering Design Services
Construction Engineering Inspection
Railroad Flagger Services
Potential Incentive
$998,818
99,881
42,000
25,000
15,000
50,000
Total Construction Estimate
$'1,230,699
The project-funding summary is as follows:
Fengler Street Bridge CIP
Algona Street Surplus
Bridge Repair and Maintenance
Total Construction Funding
$845,565
369,320
15,814
$1,230,699
The project will be funded from the Street Construction Fund under the Capital
Improvement Budget for the Fengler Street Bridge in the amount of $845,565 for Fiscal
Year 2002. Additional funding will be from the remaining balance from the Algona Street
Reconstruction Project of $369,320, and $15,814 from the Fiscal Year 2002 appropriation
for General Bridge Repair and Maintenance.
ACTION TO BE TAKEN
The City Council is requested to establish the date for the public hearing, give preliminary
approval of the plans and specifications and authorize the City Clerk to advertise for
proposals through adoption of the enclosed resolutions.
Prepared by Robert Schiesl, P.E., Civil Engineer
cc: Pauline Joyce, Administrative Services Manager
Dennis Waugh, IIW Engineers & Surveyors
RESOLUTION NO. 134-02
PRELIMINARY APPROVAL OF PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS
NOW THEREFORE, BE tT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY
OF DUBUQUE, IOWA:
That the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimated cost for the
Fengler Street Bridge Reconstruction Project, in the estimated amount of $1,230,699, are
hereby approved and ordered filed in the office of the City Clerk for public inspection.
Passed, adopted and approved this 4th day of March ,2002.
Terrance M. Duggan, Mayor
Attest:
'Jeanne F. Schneider, City Clerk
RESOLUTION NO. 135-02
FIXING DATE OF HEARING ON PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS
Whereas, the City Council of the City of Dubuque, Iowa has given its preliminary
approval on the proposed plans, specifications, and form of contract and placed same on
file in the office of the City Clerk for public inspection of the Fengler Street Bridge
Reconstruction Project.
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
That on the 1~t day of April, 2002, a public hearing will be held at 6:30 p.m. in the
Public Library Auditorium at which time interested persons may appear and be heard for or
against the proposed plans and specifications, form of contract and cost of said
improvement, and the City Clerk be and is hereby directed to cause a notice of time and
place of such hearing to be published in a newspaper having general circulation in the City
of Dubuque, Iowa, which notice shall be not less than four days nor more than twenty days
prior to the day fixed for its consideration. At the hearing, any interested person may
appear and file objections to the proposed plans, specifications, contract, or estimated cost
of the improvement.
Passed, adopted and approved this 4th day of March,
,2002.
Attest:
Jeanne F. Schneider, City cler'k
Terrance M. Duggan, Mayor
RESOLUTION NO.136-02
ORDERING BIDS
NOW THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF
DUBUQUE, IOWA:
That the Fengler Street Bridge Reconstruction Project is hereby ordered to be
advertised for bids for construction.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the amount of the security to accompany each
bid shall be in an amount which shall conform to the provisions of the notice to bidders
hereby approved as a part of the plans and specifications heretofore adopted.
That the City Clerk is hereby directed to advertise for bids for the construction of the
improvements herein provided, to be published in a newspaper having general circulation
in the City of Dubuque, Iowa, which notice shall not be less than four days nor more than
forty-five days prior to the receipt of said bids at 2:00 p.m. on the 20~ day of March, 2002.
Bids shall be opened and read by the City Clerk at said time and will be submitted to the
Council for final action at 6:30 p.m. on the 1s' day of April, 2002.
Passed, adopted and approved this 4th day of March, 2002.
Terrance M. Duggan, Mayor
Attest:
Jeanne F. Schneider, City Clerk
day of March ,2002.
Prepared by: Michael A. Koch, Public Works Director, City of Dubuque, 50 W. 13th Street, Dubuque, Iowa (563) 589-4270
NOTICE OF HEARING ON PLANS AND SPECIFICATIONS
Notice of public headng on proposed plans and specifications, proposed form of
contract and estimate of cost for the Fengler Street Bridge Reconstruction Project.
NOTICE IS HEREBY GIVEN: The City Council of Dubuque, Iowa will hold a public
headng on the proposed plans, specifications, form of contract and estimate of cost for the
Fengler Street Bddge Reconstruction Project, in accordance with the provisions of Chapter
384, City Code of Iowa, at 6:30 p.m. on the 1~ day of April, 2002, in the Public Library
Auditorium, 360 West 11th Street, in Dubuque, Iowa. Said proposed plans, specifications,
form of contract and estimate of cost are now on file in the office of the City Clerk. At said
hearing any interested person may appear and file objections thereto or to the cost of the
improvements.
Any visual or hearing-impaired persons needing special assistance or persons with
special accessibility needs should contact the City Clerk's office at (563) 589-4120 or TDD
at (563) 589-4193 in the Human Rights Department at least 48 hours prior to the meeting.
Published by order of the City Council given on the
2002.
day of
Jeanne F. Schneider, City Clerk