ARLINGTON COUNTY, VIRGINIA County Board Agenda Item Meeting of April 24, 2004 DATE: April 14, 2004 SUBJECT: Arlington Boulevard (U.S. 50) Bridge Deck Replacement at Washington Boulevard - Overhead Utility Relocation C. M. RECOMMENDATION: Adopt the attached Resolution endorsing the undergrounding of existing overhead utility lines adjacent to the Arlington Boulevard interchange with Washington Boulevard. ISSUE: Whether the County desires to have the existing overhead utility lines relocated underground and at what cost to the County. SUMMARY: The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is proposing to replace the deck of the Arlington Boulevard overpass at Washington Boulevard in the fall of 2004 due to its deteriorating condition. VDOT has determined that it is necessary to relocate existing overhead utility lines in order to comply with the Overhead High Voltage Lines Safety Act. To comply, the overhead utility lines could be relocated approximately 135 feet to the west and remain overhead. This would require the trimming and removal of some existing trees in the VDOT right of way along Arlington Boulevard. To save these trees, the overhead utility lines could be relocated underground. It is recommended that Arlington County participate with VDOT in the cost of relocating the utility lines underground in conjunction with the bridge replacement. BACKGROUND: VDOT policy allows for the undergrounding of existing overhead utility lines in conjunction with transportation improvement projects. Under the VDOT policy, the difference between the cost of undergrounding and the estimated cost of moving the overhead utility lines to another overhead location is shared equally between the State and Arlington County. To be eligible for this 50 percent State funding, the transportation improvement project must be located in a locally adopted underground utility district. In addition, the local governing body must request the utility improvement by the project resolution, and commit the financial resources for the locality s 50 percent share of the undergrounding cost. DISCUSSION: VDOT is proposing to redeck the Arlington Boulevard overpass at Washington Boulevard due to its deteriorating condition. One of the County s priority requests has been an County Manager: County Attorney: Staff: David Robinson, Department of Transportation
interchange improvement. However, VDOT has not been able to allocate the substantial amount of funding (about $30 million) for a comprehensive improvement at this location. VDOT has determined that it is necessary to relocate existing overhead utility lines in order to comply with the Overhead High Voltage Lines Safety Act. The overhead utility lines could be relocated approximately 135 feet to the west of the interchange to comply with the Act. The utility lines could be replaced in kind as overhead utility lines, but would require the trimming and removal of existing trees in the VDOT right of way along Arlington Boulevard. With an overhead relocation, VDOT and Dominion Virginia Power (DVP) would be responsible for all of the relocation costs. A site area location map is shown in Figure 1. Alternatively, VDOT could relocate the overhead utility lines underground in conjunction with a transportation improvement project. Both the Arlington and Washington Boulevard Corridors are identified on the adopted Arlington County Underground Utility Plan. VDOT and DVP have developed a cost estimate to underground the overhead utility lines across Arlington Boulevard at Washington Boulevard. Minus the theoretical relocation credit, and DVP easement rights, the total estimated cost is approximately $44,000. The County s share of the estimated cost would be approximately $22,000. The cost estimates are preliminary and subject to change. The final cost and the County s 50 percent share would be determined after the project is completed. Because the County should not agree to pay a share of such undergrounding costs without limitation, the attached resolution limits the County s share to $44,000 which must be subject to appropriation. FISCAL IMPACT: The project is being funded through VDOT using bridge maintenance funds. Project costs are currently estimated to be $4.5 million. These project costs include engineering, utility relocation and bridge construction. If the County wants the existing overhead utility facilities to be placed underground, then the County must agree to pay its 50 percent share of the overhead utility relocation which is presently estimated to be approximately $22,000. The cost estimates are preliminary and subject to change. The final cost and the County s 50 percent share would be determined after the project is completed. Sufficient funds are available in the County s Developer Contributions Utility account to cover the County share of the relocation costs of the project.
Figure 1 Arlington Boulevard Bridge at Washington Boulevard
ATTACHMENT Resolution of the County Board of Arlington, Virginia Concerning Improvements to Arlington Boulevard at Washington Boulevard State Project: 0050-000- WHEREAS, in 2004 the Virginia Department of Transportation ( VDOT ), proposed to develop a project to replace the Arlington Boulevard (U.S. Route 50) bridge deck over Washington Boulevard, also known as State Project: 0050 000 (the Project ); and WHEREAS, VDOT has determined that it is necessary to relocate the existing overhead electric lines to comply with adopted safety standards; and WHEREAS, the County Board of Arlington County, Virginia desires to maintain and enhance existing trees and other landscaping adjacent to Arlington Boulevard; and WHEREAS, the Arlington Boulevard and Washington Boulevard Corridors are both located within an underground utility district as adopted by the County Board; NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED THAT the County Board of Arlington County, Virginia requests that VDOT underground existing overhead utilities adjacent to the Project limits in accordance with VDOT s Utility Relocation Policy; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED THAT the County Board, subject to appropriation of funds for such specific project, agrees to pay the County s share of the incremental cost of placing the overhead utility facilities adjacent to the Project underground, in accordance with VDOT policy in an amount not to exceed $44,000. ADOPTED THIS DAY OF, 2004. County Board of Arlington, Virginia BY ATTEST