Explanation
1. BACKGROUND
This legislation authorizes the Director of Public Service to enter into a construction agreement with CSX Transportation, Inc. (“CSXT”) in association with the Bridge Rehabilitation - Front Street and Nationwide Boulevard over Railroad Tunnel project.
The City of Columbus, Department of Public Service, is engaged in the Bridge Rehabilitation - Front Street and Nationwide Boulevard over Railroad Tunnel Project. The intent of this project is to provide the City of Columbus, Department of Public Service, additional resources for design services to rehabilitate the Front Street and Nationwide Boulevard bridges over the railroad tunnel in downtown. The project will include deck replacements, conversion of the bridge abutments to semi-integral, painting of the superstructures, approach slab replacements, and joint replacements. The project takes place in the Downtown Planning Area (55).
This legislation is for the funds needed to secure railroad protective services with CSX Transportation Inc. for the Front Street and Nationwide Boulevard Bridge Rehabilitation Project. Work will be on and over Norfolk Southern property and requires coordination. The project involves a major superstructure replacement for the bridge on Front Street which will include conversion of the bridge abutments to semi-integral, deck replacement, and approach slab replacements. Work for the bridge on Nationwide Boulevard includes expansion seal replacements and sidewalk resurfacing.
It was determined during construction initiation that CSX Transportation Inc. is the only company that can provide railroad protective services at the location of the project. The project is within the CSX Transportation Inc.’s control point and track time for construction must be obtained from CSX Transportation Inc. The City is required to enter into an agreement with CSX Transportation Inc. in order to construct the project. The project is currently delayed as coordination with CSX Transportation Inc. is in process and legislation is required as soon as possible to minimize further delay. Based on past experience with CSX Transportation Inc., protective services costs are expected to be $1500 per day and the project expects to need 200 days of protective services.
It is necessary to contract with CSX Transportation, Inc. for work to be performed on or near the railroad. CSX Transportation Inc. will provide construction engineering and inspection work concerning its property as part of the project. The railroad will also provide flagmen, watchmen, and other protective services and devices to promote safety and continuity of train operations during the project. There is also a need for temporary track realignment and final track alignment as part of the project. The construction agreement will reimburse CSX Transportation, Inc. the costs associated with these activities.
2. FISCAL IMPACT
Funding, in the amount of $300,000.00 is budgeted and available within Fund 7704, the Streets and Highways Bond Fund. An amendment to the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget is necessary to establish sufficient budget authority for the project.
3. EMERGENCY DESIGNATION
Emergency action is requested in order to minimize impacts in the Arena District and to work around large special events in the area. Railroad coordination is always a time consuming process and funds need to be set up and the agreement signed as soon as possible to ensure the project stays on schedule.
Title
To amend the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget; to authorize the Director of the Department of Public Service to enter into a construction agreement with CSX Transportation, Inc. in connection with the Bridge Rehabilitation - Front Street and Nationwide Boulevard over Railroad Tunnel project; to authorize the expenditure of up to $300,000.00 within the the Streets and Highways Bond Fund; and to declare an emergency. ($300,000.00)
Body
WHEREAS, the City is engaged in the construction of the Bridge Rehabilitation - Front Street and Nationwide Boulevard over Railroad Tunnel project; and
WHEREAS, the aforementioned effort requires cooperation from railroad companies that operate within the proposed project limits; and
WHEREAS, as part of the construction of that aforementioned project, it is necessary for the City to enter into a construction agreement with CSX Transportation, Inc. to pay for costs incurred by CSX Transportation Inc. during the completion of necessary improvements to the Bridge Rehabilitation - Front Street and Nationwide Boulevard over Railroad Tunnel; and
WHEREAS, the costs are estimated to be $300,000.00, and will reimburse CSX Transportation Inc. the costs associated with construction engineering and inspection work concerning its property as part of the project. The railroad will also provide flagmen, watchmen, and other protective services and devices to promote safety and continuity of train operations during the project. There is also a need for temporary track realignment and final track alignment as part of the project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to amend the 2025 Capital Improvement Budget to establish authority within the correct project; and
WHEREAS, it is necessary to authorize and expenditure of up to $300,000.00 for the Streets and Highways Bond Fund for this contract; and
WHEREAS, an emergency exists in the usual daily operation of the Department of Public Service to in that it is immediately necessary to authorize the Director to enter into agreement with CSX Transportation Inc. in order to minimize impacts in the Arena District and to work around large special events in the area. Railroad coordination is always a time consuming process and funds need to be set up and the agreement signed as soon as possible to ensure the project stays on schedule, all for the immediate preservation of the public health, peace, property, safety and welfare; and now therefore
BE IT ORDAINED BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF COLUMBUS:
SECTION 1. That the 2025 Capital Improvements Budget authorized by ordinance 1790-2025 be amended as follows to establish sufficient authority for this project:
Fund / Project / Project Name / Current / Change /C.I.B. as Amended
7704 / P530301-992023 / Bridge Rehab - Annual Citywide Contract (2023) (Voted Carryover) / $1,605,043.00 / $300,000.00 / $1,305,043.00
7704 / P530301-260755/ Bridge Rehabilitation - Front Street and Nationwide Boulevard over Railroad Tunnel (Voted Carryover) / $5,434,219.00 / $300,000.00 / $5,734,219.00
SECTION 2. That the Director of Public Service be and hereby is authorized to enter into agreement with CSX Transportation, Inc., 500 Water Street, J-301, Jacksonville, Florida 32202, relative to the Bridge Rehabilitation - Front Street and Nationwide Boulevard over Railroad Tunnel project and to pay costs incurred by CSX Transportation, Inc. during the completion of necessary improvements to the Bridge Rehabilitation - Front Street and Nationwide Boulevard over Railroad Tunnel project.
SECTION 3. That the expenditure of $300,000.00, or so much thereof as may be needed, is hereby authorized in Fund 7704 (Streets and Highways Bond Fund), Dept-Div 5911 (Infrastructure Management), Project P530301-260755 (Bridge Rehabilitation - Front Street and Nationwide Boulevard over Railroad Tunnel project), in Object Class 06 (Capital Outlay) per the accounting codes in the attachment to this ordinance.
SECTION 4. Funds are hereby deemed appropriated and expenditures and transfers authorized to carry out the purposes of this ordinance and the City Auditor shall establish such accounting codes as necessary.
SECTION 5. That the City Auditor is authorized to make any accounting changes to revise the funding source for all contracts or contract modifications associated with this ordinance.
SECTION 6. That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer the unencumbered balance in a project account to the unallocated balance account within the same fund upon receipt of certification by the Director of the Department administering said project that the project has been completed and the monies are no longer required for said project.
SECTION 7. That for the reasons stated in the preamble hereto, which is hereby made a part hereof, this ordinance is hereby declared to be an emergency measure and shall take effect and be in force from and after its passage and approval by the Mayor or ten days after passage if the Mayor neither approves nor vetoes the same.