Item Number: 14
City Council / Board of Directors
Written Communications
Meeting of: April 15, 2025
Submitted By:
Fredy Bonilla, City Engineer
Subject:
Acceptance of Roadway and Access & Maintenance Easement Deeds for the Bear Valley Road Bridge Over Mojave River Rehabilitation and Widening Project Recommendation:
That the Honorable City Council:
(1) Accept a Roadway Easement Deed from Victor Valley Community College District for the Bear Valley Road Bridge Over Mojave River Rehabilitation and Widening Project;
(2) Accept an Access & Maintenance Easement Deed from Victor Valley Community College District for the Bear Valley Road Bridge Over Mojave River Rehabilitation and Widening Project; and
(3) Authorize the City Manager to execute the easement deeds on the City’s behalf.
Fiscal Impact:
There is no impact associated with this item.
Strategic Plan Goal:
This item aligns with “Goal E Invest in Infrastructure” in the City of Victorville Strategic Plan 2023-2026 by accepting easement deeds associated with the planned widening and rehabilitation of the Bear Valley Road Bridge crossing the Mojave River. The proposed project will improve the level of service to motorists and pedestrians crossing the Mojave River by utilizing the Bear Valley Road Bridge.
Background:
The Town of Apple Valley is the lead agency for a multi-jurisdiction capital improvement project titled the Bear Valley Road Bridge Over Mojave River Rehabilitation and Widening Project. The project planning was initiated following the findings of a Caltrans Bridge Inspection Report, which found the bridge to be structurally deficient (including the deck, joints, and foundation) and functionally obsolete (due to narrow travel lanes and the 4 0
6 9
absence of shoulders). The planned rehabilitation and widening project will include road upgrades such as six-standard width lanes, shoulders, a median, two sidewalks, a Class 1 bike path, drainage improvements, and utility relocations. This project involves collaboration among several organizations. As a result, the Town of Apple Valley has been working closely with Dokken Engineering (the design consultant), Caltrans, San Bernardino County Flood Control, City of Victorville, City of Hesperia along with various regional and federal agencies, utility companies and private property owners.
The proposed infrastructure improvements within the City of Victorville will help to accommodate the bridge widening at the westerly approach of Bear Valley Road. These improvements will include road widening, pavement rehabilitation, and shoulder work.
The shoulder work on the northerly side of the road will include the construction of a curb & gutter, a sidewalk, a curb ramp, and the modification of the traffic signal at the northeast corner of Bear Valley Road and Mojave Fish Hatchery Road. Please see the attached Vicinity Map (Attachment A) for the location of the proposed improvements. The City Council approved the City’s share of the cost for the proposed improvements during the February 20, 2024 meeting, when they also approved the Mid-Year Budget and the Amendment Request to the 2023-2024 revised Fiscal Budget.
Discussion:
The proposed improvements within the City of Victorville require additional Public Right- of-Way and an Access & Maintenance Easement for future operations and maintenance of the public improvements.
As the lead agency for the project, the Town of Apple Valley worked with the Victor Valley Community College District (VVCCD) to obtain both the Roadway Easement Deed (Attachment B) and the Access & Maintenance Easement Deed (Attachment C). The Roadway Easement Deed is required for the construction of the improvements and the Access & Maintenance Easement Deed will allow for the City’s Public Works Department to maintain the public improvements once construction has been completed. At the Town of Apple Valley’s April 8, 2025 Town Council Meeting, the Town Council approved a Purchase and Sale Agreement for the abovementioned easement deeds with VVCCD.
It is staff’s recommendation that the City Council accept the Roadway Easement and the Access & Maintenance Easement Deeds from Victor Valley Community College District for the Bear Valley Road Bridge Over Mojave River Rehabilitation and Widening Project; and Authorize the City Manager to execute the easement deeds on the City’s behalf.
Staff is available for any questions Council may have.
Attachments: A. Vicinity Map
B. Roadway Easement
C. Access & Maintenance Easement