Explanation
1. BACKGROUND:
This legislation authorizes payment for railroad right-of-way improvements performed by Norfolk Southern Corporation and CSX Transportation, Inc., up to the amount of $5,200,000.00 for the Roadway Improvements - Lazelle Road Phase B project.
The Public Service Department is engaged in the Roadway Improvements - Lazelle Road Phase B project. Project improvements include: widening the road to five lanes to include a center turn lane with a roundabout at the intersection of Old South State Road at Lazelle Road; realigning Old South State Road with Storrow Drive; and reconstructing two railroad bridges. Improvements along Lazelle Road also include the addition of sidewalk along the south side, addition of a shared use path along the north side, and public and private utility work as needed.
In the course of effecting roadway improvements it is necessary to contract with any railroads involved, in this case Norfolk Southern Corporation and CSX Transportation, to perform railroad right-of-way improvements. The railroads previously named are preparing for track work, flagging, engineering and final review of the plans. The City Attorney’s office will work with each railroad to get a construction agreement signed and to get the right-of-way required for this project. This is at the City's expense as the City is initiating the improvements to be performed within the railroad right-of-way.
The funding request for the aforementioned railroad right-of-way improvements work is based upon estimates from the railroads. The railroads will invoice the City for actual costs incurred in performing the improvements. The amount needed may exceed the amount requested in this ordinance. Additional legislation will be submitted by the Department of Public Service if additional funds are needed to complete the relocations.
2. FISCAL IMPACT:
Eighty percent of the funding for this project will be provided by the Mid-Ohio Regional Planning Commission...
Click here for full text