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Home My WebLink About20 - Coast Highway RelinquishmentCITY OF NEWPORT BEACH CITY COUNCIL STAFF REPORT Agenda Item No. 20 October 14, 2008 TO: HONORABLE MAYOR AND MEMBERS OF THE CITY COUNCIL FROM: Public Works Department Stephen G. Badum, Public Works Director 949 - 644 -3311 or sbadum @city.newport- beach.ca.us SUBJECT: COAST HIGHWAY RELINQUISHMENT - LETTER REQUESTING INITIATION RECOMMENDATION: Approve a letter requesting Caltrans begin the process to potentially relinquish Coast Highway from the Santa Ana River Bridge to Jamboree Road and Newport Boulevard from Finley Street to the Channel Bridge. DISCUSSION: On September 16, 2008, the City's Coast Highway Relinquishment Committee and City staff met with Caltrans District 12 representatives to discuss the possibility of the relinquishment of Coast Highway from the Santa Ana River Bridge to Jamboree Road and Newport Boulevard from Finley Street to the Channel Bridge. The relinquishment of portions of Coast Highway and Newport Boulevard would give the City sole authority and discretion to approve, design, fund, and construct improvements consistent with City policies and standards. In discussions with Caltrans, the State was unwilling to retain ownership of the Coast Highway bridge over the Back Bay. However, Caltrans did support ownership retention of the Santa Ana River Bridge, Newport Channel Bridge and the Arches interchange bridge. Upon the City's request to initiate the relinquishment process, Caltrans will review the existing condition of both highways and begin an analysis of what repairs will be required to improve the highways to a "state of good repair" condition. Because of the concern about the condition of the bridge over the Back Bay Channel, staff recommends that we additionally request that a through inspection and structural analysis of this bridge be included in the State's review. Caltrans staff indicated that the State is currently exploring funding for relinquishments, but those funds may be limited to approximately $12 million statewide. The attached letter does not commit the City to the relinquishment, but is required by Caltrans in order to get authorization from the State to explore relinquishment. Some of the reasons supporting and opposing relinquishment are listed below. Upon completion Coast Highway Relinquishment — Letter Requesting Initiation October 14, 2008 Page 2 of the State's review, the City will be asked to make a formal commitment that would be forwarded on to the California Transportation Commission for approval. Potential Reasons Supporting Relinquishment • The State's mission is to promote regional transportation. They see Coast Highway as a transportation facility and not as a "Main Street" for the City. Therefore, they do not have a customer focus that supports City residents and businesses. • City ownership may allow currently prohibited activities such as sidewalk cafe dining, sidewalk sales, non - standard paving treatments (crosswalk, sidewalks, etc.), street furniture, hanging planters, decorative lighting, and more extensive landscaping within new and existing medians. • State highway standards prohibit certain activities as listed above and strictly controls others such as lane widths affecting the City's ability to widen Coast highway in Mariners Mile without costly right of way purchases. • The City will control the timing and budget of new improvements and replacements. Caltrans paving projects are often delayed several years due to budgetary constraints. Freeway improvements are generally prioritized over State highway improvements. • The City will be more responsive to the needs of the businesses and residents for repairs and improvements. The current lengthy State permit process will no longer be necessary. The current process has varied from a minimum of eight weeks to as long as a year. • The City would be in control of the traffic signal system. With the signals under City jurisdiction, the adjacent streets could be better coordinated with Coast Highway signals. However, the relinquishment requirements do not allow the City to modify the signal coordination to the extent that regional traffic flow is impaired during peak hours. • If current budgets permit, the City could be paid for improving the existing roadway to a "State of Good Repair ". Potential Reasons Opposing Relinquishment: • Relinquishment will obligate the City to fund and maintain the roadway in perpetuity. This would include the bridge over the Back Bay. The Santa Ana River Bridge, Newport Channel Bridge, and the Arches Bridge would remain under State ownership. • Potential costs in liability. The City will request accident and claims history. Submitted by: adum Director CITY OF NEWPORT BEACH PUBLIC WORKS DEPARTMENT Stephen G. Badum, Director October 14, 2008 Cindy Quon, Director Caltrans, District 12 3337 Michelson Drive, Ste. 380 Irvine, CA 92612 -8894 RE: Request to Relinquish Portions of Pacific Coast Highway, SR 1 and Newport Boulevard, SR55 Dear Ms. Quon, The City of Newport Beach requests that Caltrans initiate the relinquishment process to transfer ownership of Pacific Coast Highway (SRI), Santa Ana River Bridge to Jamboree Road and Newport Boulevard (SR55), Finley Street to the Newport Channel Bridge, from the State to the City of Newport Beach (see the attached exhibit for the proposed limits). Based upon our discussion at the meeting with you and the City Coast Highway Relinquishment committee on September 16, 2008, it is our understanding that Caltrans will review of the existing condition of the highways and begin an analysis of what repairs will be required to improve the highways to a "state of good repair" condition. As we discussed, the City is concerned about the condition of the bridge over the Back Bay Channel. Therefore, we additionally request that a through inspection and structural analysis of this bridge be included in the State's review. In addition to the State's condition review, we also request that Caltrans forward accident and claims histories for these highways. Thank you for your consideration of this request. We look forward to working with you to further our mutual goals. Sincerely, Edward D. Selich Mayor Cc: Homer Bludau, City Manager Steve Barium, Public Works Director Attachment : PCH Relinquishment Exhibit 3300 Newport Boulevard • Post Office Box 1768 • Newport Beach, Califomia 92658 -8915 Telephone: (949) 644 -3311 • Fax: (949) 644 -3318 • www.city.newport- beach.ca.us �:� i- �'; h ytII "�� 9 l r ��,, :,� -..- a ,,;, ;Y; F �� i^ V 4 t [. vim' :. YiJ� -� �w' ki ' 3~ k �"`' .� t R+r .sTi `�� 'e � +... 5 �: . �d-� — � -•ssy �: .',� ry 9