Title
ComEd Overhead Facility Burial Design - LaGrange Road - 144th Place to 147th Street
History
When the utility burial work was initially reviewed for the 143rd Street and LaGrange Road Intersection Improvement project in 2009, a budget was developed that included utility burial for 143rd Street and along LaGrange Road from the Metra overpass south to 147th Street. When the 2010 project was brought forward for Board consideration and approval, the project limits on LaGrange Road had been shortened, thereby stopping overhead line burial north of 144th Place to reduce right-of-way (ROW) acquisition time and costs.
At the August 2010 Board meeting, authorization was provided to the Village Manager to sign the ComEd Electrical Utility Relocation proposal dated July 19, 2010, in an amount not to exceed $2,457,057. Also approved was an additional payment to ComEd of $421,700 for added project costs. This would be paid upon providing proof of incurring the expense related to the future expansion that the Village had requested be included in the project. Thus far, the Village has paid ComEd the required $1,200,000 for ComEd to begin construction of the project. ComEd substantially completed their work in late 2010, and has sent notice that their work is nearing full completion. Staff has requested a final bill as well as As-Built Drawings for Phase I work. We have been advised that both will be provided during October 2011, with costs projected to be as anticipated.
The Phase I work provided the undergrounding of overhead utility wires along 143rd Street from Southwest Highway to John Humphrey Drive, and along LaGrange Road from the Metra overpass south to 144th Place.
The Village still desires that the remaining overhead utility wires along LaGrange Road be buried (Phase II). By delaying Phase II, the Village was able to avoid substantial right-of-way acquisition costs, as IDOT is currently acquiring ROW for the reconstruction and widening of LaGrange Road from 131st Street south to 179th Street. This new ROW will accommodate most utility relocations required along LaGrange Road. Despite the need for ComEd to relocate their current facilities to accommodate the upcoming IDOT work, the Village is responsible for costs associated with the burial of the overhead wires.
An updated estimate dated May 24, 2011, was provided by Com Ed for the undergrounding of the remaining overhead utility lines on LaGrange Road from 144th Place to 147th Street. Costs are estimated at $975,000, less than originally estimated due to lower than anticipated costs associated with the Phase I project.
In order to continue the relocation/burial process, and meet the schedule established by IDOT for utility relocation in advance of road construction, the Village must provide authorization for ComEd to design their relocation plans. It is therefore staff’s recommendation that the ComEd proposal dated May 24, 2011, be accepted and, as outlined in their proposal, an advance payment in the amount of $50,000 be provided to begin Design Engineering.
On October 17, 2011, this item was reviewed and approved by the Public Works and Engineering Committee and referred to the Board for approval.
INFORMATION PREVIOUSLY PROVIDED AS PART OF THE OCTOBER 17, 2011, PUBLIC WORKS AND ENGINEERING COMMITTEE PACKET.
Financial Impact
Funds for the proposed ComEd utility relocation engineering are available in the approved Fiscal Year 2010 Budget within the Village’s Capital Improvement Fund and were rolled into Fiscal Year 2011.
Recommended Action/Motion
I move to approve authorizing the Village Manager to execute the ComEd Relocation of Overhead Facilities proposal dated May 24, 2011;
And
Approve the payment of $50,000 to ComEd as required to commence Design Engineering for the relocation of existing overhead ComEd facilities from 144th Place to 147th Street and LaGrange Road to an underground location within right-of-way acquired by IDOT for utility purposes.