TO: HONORABLE MAYOR FROM: John Ristow
AND CITY COUNCIL
SUBJECT: I-680 SOUNDWALL PROJECT – DATE: February 14, 2022
FREEWAY MAINTENANCE
AGREEMENT
Approved Date
2/24/2022
COUNCIL DISTRICT: 5
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager or designee to negotiate and execute the Maintenance Agreement between the State of California, Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and the City of San José (City) for the I-680 Soundwall Project (Project).
OUTCOME
The maintenance agreement establishes the maintenance responsibilities of Caltrans and the City for the improvements within Caltrans’ jurisdiction and/or right-of-way that result from the Project.
BACKGROUND
The Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), in partnership with the City and Caltrans (Project Team), has collaboratively developed the Project following the Caltrans Project Development Procedures Manual. A Caltrans Noise Barrier Scope Summary Report completed in July 1992, identified the need for noise abatement along both sides of I-680 from Capitol Expwy to Mueller Ave. This high traffic noise level affects the residential and recreational areas, such as the Children of the Rainbow Park, within the project limits. The Project was originally programmed by Caltrans in the 2002 State Transportation Improvement Program, however, due to the change of responsibility between agencies for managing the State Transportation Improvement Program priorities and financial reasons, the Project was reprogrammed and pushed out over time. The VTA subsequently reprogrammed the Project in the 2014 State Transportation Improvement Program to continue with project delivery. The Project completed the environmental phase in December 2018, which also included completing a Noise Study COUNCIL AGENDA: 3/8/22
FILE: 22-262
ITEM: 2.14
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
February 14, 2022
Subject: I-680 Soundwall Project – Freeway Maintenance Agreement
Report that revalidated this need for noise abatement. Currently, the Project Team is near completion of the final design phase.
The Project will construct five new sound walls along I-680 from Capitol Expwy to just south of Mueller Ave at the following locations as shown on Attachment A:
• One sound wall along northbound I-680 between Capitol Expwy and Muirfield Dr • Two sound walls along northbound I-680 between Gebhart Ave and Mueller Ave • Two sound walls along southbound I-680 between Alum Rock Ave and Foss Ave
The five new sound walls will be built entirely upon Caltrans’s right-of-way and no permanent use or loss of City right-of-way nor parkland will occur within the Project. The Project’s construction phase will be funded through State Transportation Improvement Program and Vehicle Registration Funds. The construction phase is estimated to begin in summer 2022 and be completed in fall 2023.
Prior to issuing an encroachment permit for the construction, Caltrans requires the proposed maintenance agreement to be executed.
ANALYSIS
The City supports the Project, as sound walls reduce noise and improve quality of life for our residents. The proposed maintenance agreement is a standard agreement that establishes the responsibilities between Caltrans and the City for maintenance of improvements within the State’s right-of-way. The City’s Parks, Recreation & Neighborhood Services (PRNS) will maintain the sound wall adjacent to the Children of the Rainbow Park while the Department of Transportation (DOT) will maintain the sound walls adjacent to the roadways. The following table summarizes the roles and responsibilities for each agency (Table 1):
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
February 14, 2022
Subject: I-680 Soundwall Project – Freeway Maintenance Agreement
Table 1 – Agency by Roles & Responsibility
AGENCY ROLE & RESPONSIBILITY
CSJ-DOT &
PRNS
• Debris removal, cleaning, and painting to keep CITY’s side of sound wall structure free of debris, dirt, and graffiti.
• Any vine trimming to prevent overgrowth on the CITY’s side of any sound wall structure.
• Maintenance of any plantings or other types of roadside development – that may be installed by CITY – lying outside of the area reserved for exclusive freeway.
Caltrans • The structural adequacy of the sound walls within the project limits. • Debris removal, cleaning, and painting to keep STATE’s side of sound wall structure free of debris, dirt and graffiti.
CONCLUSION
Executing the Freeway Maintenance Agreement will meet Caltrans’ condition to issue the encroachment permit for construction of the I-680 Soundwall Project and will establish the maintenance responsibilities for both Caltrans and City.
EVALUATION AND FOLLOW-UP
No additional follow-up is anticipated at this time.
CLIMATE SMART SAN JOSE
The recommendation in this memorandum has no effect on Climate Smart San José energy, water, or mobility goals.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
This memorandum will be posted on the City’s Council agenda website for the March 8, 2022 City Council Meeting.
COORDINATION
This memorandum has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office, the Department of Planning, Building and Code Enforcement, PRNS, and the City Manager’s Budget Office.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
February 14, 2022
Subject: I-680 Soundwall Project – Freeway Maintenance Agreement
COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION/INPUT
No commission recommendation or input is associated with this action.
FISCAL/POLICY ALIGNMENT
The recommended action is the final step necessary for Caltrans to issue an encroachment permit for the I-680 Soundwall Project. The Project is consistent with the Envision 2040 General Plan.
COST SUMMARY/IMPLICATIONS
Estimated annual maintenance costs for the three sound walls will be $7,228. PRNS’s portion of the maintenance costs are accounted for within their current funding resources. DOT’s portion of the maintenance costs are planned to be included in the 2023-2027 Five-Year Forecast, with funding anticipated to begin 2023-2024 and be included as part of the operating budget process for that fiscal year.
CEQA
Categorially Exempt, File No. ER22-014, CEQA Guideline Section 15303 New Construction or Conversion or Small Structures.
/s/
JOHN RISTOW
Director of Transportation
For questions, please contact Zahir Gulzadah, DOT Division Manager of Regional and Local Project Delivery Section at (408) 975-3257.
Attachment A: Project Area Map
ATTACHMENT A
Subject: I-680 Soundwall Project
Project Area Map