City of Oak Creek

Common Council Report

 

Meeting Date: April 15, 2008

 

Item No.:        

 

Recommendation:  That the Common Council consider a motion to concur with the recommendation of the CIP Committee to realign W. Drexel Avenue south of the existing center line (Project No. 06010) (2nd Aldermanic District).

 

Background:  When design started on W. Drexel Avenue from S. 13th Street to S. 27th Street, it was assumed that the road alignment would be centered on the existing roadway.  This would result in acquiring ROW on both sides of the existing roadway to accommodate the expanded section.  As the design progressed, it became apparent that there were major obstacles to be overcome.   A portion of the needed ROW would have to be obtained from Milwaukee County in Falk Park.  These lands were obtained by Milwaukee County using LAWCON funding.  The acquisition of a portion of these lands requires State and Federal signoffs, and will take 18 to 24 months to complete with uncertainty until the last signoff is obtained.  The WDNR has determined that the Butler’s Garter Snake and its habitat must be protected north of Drexel Avenue.  This will result in collecting snakes in the impacted area for a spring/summer prior to the start of construction, which will delay the project an additional year.  There will be an unknown mitigation cost for the taking of the snake habitat.  Roadway construction costs will be increased by the need to provide access to residents along the project route.  The collective cost in time and dollars has dictated that alternative approaches be explored.

    

By realigning W. Drexel Avenue to the south, the Butler’s Garter Snake habitat would not be disturbed and no land would need to be purchased from Falk Park.  This option also allows the construction of half of the roadway while keeping the existing roadway open.   With this option, there will be some additional impacts including purchasing of one or two structures, reevaluation of wetlands, and contract amendment for redesign.  The time needed to complete the project would be reduced from five years to three years. 

 

Fiscal Impact:  Additional costs for the project will be brought back to the Common Council for approval. 

 

Prepared by:

 

 

Matthew J. Sullivan, P.E.

Design Engineer

Respectfully submitted:

 

 

Patrick DeGrave

City Administrator

 

Approved by:

 

 

Wayne St. John, P.E.

City Engineer

 

 

 

Fiscal review by:

 

 

Beverly A. Buretta, CMC

City Clerk