DEPARTMENT: Public Works
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Razi Hosseini, P.E., R.P.L.S.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Council District 2
SUBJECT:
Local On-System Agreement: Rittiman Road (I-35 to Castle Cross Drive) (2017 Bond Project)
SUMMARY:
An ordinance approving the execution of a Local On-System Agreement (LOSA) with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to allow the City of San Antonio to construct and maintain the roadway within the state highway right-of-way of I-35, necessary for the completion of the Rittiman Road (I-35 to Castle Cross Drive) project, a 2017 Bond funded project, located in Council District 2.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) manages and controls the Texas Highway System and requires municipalities to enter into a Local On-System Agreement (LOSA) with TxDOT when construction is required on property which is part of the state highway system.
The Rittiman Road (I-35 to Castle Cross Drive) project recently began construction which will have portions of the project located within areas of the state highway system. TxDOT approval is required as part of the LOSA to allow the City to enter and construct the necessary improvements within TxDOT right-of-way in relation to the Rittiman Road (I-35 to Castle Cross Drive) project, a 2017 Bond funded project located in Council District 2.
Previous City Council Action
On February 20, 2020, City Council approved a construction award in the amount of $5,611,649.36 to Alamo City Constructors for the Rittiman Road (I-35 to Castle Cross Drive) project through Ordinance 2020-02-20-0098. The scope of the project is to improve the intersection of I-35 and Rittiman to include construction of a right-turn lane and pavement improvements from I-35 to Castle Cross. Project construction began April 2020 and is estimated to be completed by May 2021.
ISSUE:
This ordinance approves the execution of a Local On-System Agreement (LOSA) with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to allow the City of San Antonio to construct and maintain the roadway within the state highway right-of-way of I-35, necessary for the completion of the Rittiman Road (I-35 to Castle Cross Drive) project, a 2017 Bond funded project, located in Council District 2.
The execution of the LOSA is necessary for the completion of the Rittiman Road (I-35 to Castle Cross Drive) project. A portion of the project to be constructed will reside in TxDOT’s rights-of-way located on I-35. The scope of the project is to improve the intersection of I-35 and Rittiman to include construction of a right-turn lane and pavement improvements from I-35 to Castle Cross. Project construction began in April 2020 and is estimated to be completed by May 2021.
The Texas Transportation Code requires municipalities of the state to enter into a Local On-System Agreement (LOSA) with TxDOT when construction and improvements are made on roadways of the state highway system. This LOSA is consistent with such requirements and this agreement allows the City to enter and construct the necessary improvements within TxDOT right-of-way in relation to the Rittiman Road (I-35 to Castle Cross Drive) project. There is no exchange of funds between TxDOT and the City upon execution of the agreement.
Approval of this ordinance will be a continuation of the City’s commitment to maintaining and improving existing infrastructure in collaboration with other governmental agencies.
ALTERNATIVES:
City Council could choose not to approve this agreement; however, the City would not receive TxDOT’s authorization to enter and construct within its right-of-way. This would delay completion of the project and would require changes in the project scope. The most cost effective option would be to approve the execution of the Local On-System Agreement.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact associated with the execution of the Local On-System Agreement.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance authorizing the execution of a Local On-System Agreement (LOSA) with the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to allow the City of San Antonio to construct and maintain the roadway within the state highway right-of-way of I-35, necessary for the completion of the Rittiman Road (I-35 to Castle Cross Drive) project.