CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Adopt the resolution approving and authorizing the execution of the Sleeve Design Engineering Reimbursement Agreement with Enbridge Energy Limited Partnership
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: William J. Novack, Director
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
The North Aurora Road Underpass and the Wisconsin Central/CN Railroad Improvement project (CIP# BR005) is a joint effort between the Cities of Naperville and Aurora and Naperville Township (together referenced as the “Road Authority”). Naperville is the lead local agency for the project.
In order to undertake the widening of North Aurora Road, the Wisconsin Central railroad bridge will need to be demolished and replaced with a new bridge structure that will accommodate two through traffic lanes in each direction, left turn lanes into adjacent properties, sidewalk and bicycle facilities, streetlighting, and correct existing flooding issues.
Construction of the project is expected to begin in 2024 at an estimated cost of $38 million. The Illinois Commerce Commission will contribute $12 million from the Grade Crossing Safety Improvement Program and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning (CMAP) will contribute $9.8 million in federal funding from the Shared Fund Program. Furthermore, in February of 2023, the City submitted a request for an additional $10.3 dollars from CMAP to cover pipeline relocation and other escalating and unforeseen costs. We anticipate hearing whether the additional funding will be approved by the end of October. The balance of the construction costs for the project will be paid by Naperville, Aurora, and Naperville Township.
Field investigations and further detailed design of the bridge and roadway project have determined that the proposed roadway profile conflicts with an existing 34-inch diameter Enbridge petroleum gas pipeline. The Enbridge pipeline is located within an easement on ComEd’s property beyond the public right-of-way. Relocation of the Enbridge gas pipeline is required.
In May 2021, the City and Enbridge entered into a reimbursement agreement for Enbridge to perform a Class 4 Estimate, which explored the conceptual feasibility of two options to relocate the Pipeline. The Class 4 Estimate was completed, and a preliminary pipeline relocation design agreed upon.
In June 2022, the City entered into a reimbursement agreement with Enbridge for Enbridge to perform Phase 2 Design Engineering to support and progress towards a full engineering design of the agreed upon option selected as part of the Class 4 Estimate.
In September 2022, the City informed Enbridge that a third-party assessment of the Enbridge relocation design/constructability option was to be performed prior to Enbridge moving ahead with the option selected as part of the Class 4 Estimate.
In July 2023, the City provided Enbridge the Constructability Options Analysis Report that was performed by a third-party consultant hired by Naperville on behalf of the Road Authority for review and consideration of an alternative pipeline relocation design. In response to the Constructability Options Analysis Report, Enbridge proposed an alternative construction option (referenced as the Sleeve Design) and provided a preliminary cost estimate to construct this option. It is estimated the construction of the Sleeve Design will cost approximately $2.5 million less than the previously selected construction method.
DISCUSSION:
The next step in the process is to enter into a reimbursement agreement with Enbridge to perform the engineering required for the Sleeve Design so that construction bids may be issued for relocation of the pipeline.
Staff supports entering into a reimbursement agreement with Enbridge to engineer the Sleeve Design required to relocate the pipeline. Relocating the gas pipeline is required to construct the proposed roadway widening. The pipeline relocation will also allow for the removal of an existing/redundant gas pipeline valve which, if allowed to remain, would stand approximately 10-feet north of the proposed roadway edge, requiring a barrier wall for driver protection.
FISCAL IMPACT:
The agreement obligates the City to reimburse Enbridge Energy up to $551,851. Funding is available as part of CIP # BR005 - North Aurora Road Underpass. It is anticipated that this cost will be shared in part by the City of Aurora and Naperville Township