COUNCIL REPORT: E&N Rail Trail Culvert Replacement and Upgrade

COUNCIL REPORT

TO: Council DATE: February 11, 2015 FROM: John Rosenberg MEETING DATE: February 17, 2015

E&N Rail Trail Culvert Replacement and Upgrade

RECOMMENDATION: THAT Council authorizes the expenditure of funds to upgrade the three culverts as part of the E&N Rail Trail project.

CHIEF ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER'S COMMENTS: I concur with the recommendation.

PURPOSE OF REPORT: To receive expenditure authorization for the installation of the damaged drainage culverts discovered during the E&N Rail Trail construction project.

BACKGROUND: During the construction of Phase 2 of the Capital Regional District's E&N Rail Trail project it was discovered that several of the culvert pipes that carried Storm Water drainage from the Island Highway drainage basin to Craigflower Creek were deformed and were experiencing root intrusions. A video inspection was performed and an assessment was performed by McElhanney Engineering (attached). It was recommended that three of the culverts be replaced. Staff had a site visit and determined that the pipes should not only be replaced but that they should be upgraded to provide for future long term storm water flows. Several points were considered:

• The pipes were well past there useful life span (vitrified clay was a pipe material used more than 50 years ago.
• The pipes were already in significant decline.
• The CRD were willing to provide administration of the project free of charge.
• The CRD has agreed to cover the costs of the Engineering design and construction inspection fees of McElhanney.
• The rail is currently closed and under a permit for construction with the Rail Authority.
• The contractor was willing to perform the work on a time and material basis.
• Replacement at a future date would cost significantly more than at present time.

As part of the consideration staff determined that if we upgraded the pipes for future development flows rather than just replace the pipes it would make the project eligible for Storm Water Development cost charge funding for the Island Highway drainage basin. The estimated cost to replace all three culverts is anticipated to be approximately $130,000 and should be eligible for at least 75% DCC funding.

Financial Implication: If the project is constructed for the estimated costs then the breakdown of costs would be as follows:

• Development Cost Charges: $97,500
• Casino Funding: $32,500

The Storm Water DCC fund currently has approximately $876,000 available.

RECOMMENDATION: THAT Council authorizes the expenditure of funds to upgrade the three culverts as part of the E&N Rail Trail project.

SUBMITTED BY: John Rosenberg, Director of Engineering

REVIEWED BY: Kim Anéma, Chief Administrative Officer