Title
Approving a memorandum of understanding with the Texas Department of Transportation associated with the City Intersection Improvement projects at the intersection of FM 685 and E. Pflugerville Parkway and intersection of FM 685 at Copper Mine Overpass, and authorizing the City Manager to execute the same.
Summary
This item requests City Council to approve the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the City of Pflugerville and Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) for Intersection improvements to provide improved safety and/or decreased congestion at two intersections: FM 685 and E. Pflugerville Parkway and FM 685 at Copper Mine Overpass. TXDOT has partnered with the City on previous projects, and through this MOU, TxDOT will accept City initiated improvements to be made on TxDOT right of way, and supports the City’s efforts to construct the improvements. This item supports the City’s strategic plan with improved safety and resilient infrastructure.
The MOU requires that the City enter the MOU to ensure that the City and TxDOT cooperatively agree on the basis and requirements of the improvements. The MOU requires that no additional though-put delays of the FM 685 traffic, and certain thin ashaltic pavement overlay to provide a good riding surface and a clear surface for new pavement markings. As stipulated in the MOU, the city agrees to be responsible for all maintenance and operation of the improvements as defined by the Municipal Maintenance Agreement between TxDOT and the City.
The first location is the intersection of FM 685 and E. Pflugerville Parkway, which includes an interim configuration that is designed to relieve delays at this intersection. The short term improvements include: a median u-turn, which removes the left turn from the FM 685 intersection and shifts the turn movements to an area outside of the immediate intersection. Functionally, after construction of the interim improvements, drivers along E. Pflugerville Parkway making left turns will travel straight through the intersection and then execute their left turns by making U-turns at the median opening of the intersection. The driver will turn right when they reach FM 685 to complete the turn. In the future, the intersection will be constructed to accommodate a full widening of FM 685, and the intersection will be modified to include a six lane intersection with displaced left turns for the E. Pflugerville Parkway segment.
The second location is the intersection of FM 685 and Copper Mine Overpass project, which will include an additional right turn lane, a right turn signal, and additional pedestrian enhancements with a sidewalk at Limestone Commercial Drive from southbound frontage road of SH 130 to approximately 1100 feet south of Shop Road. The MOU requires that the right turn signal light is only to be activated when a pedestrian requests to cross the right turn lanes via the “ Pedestrian only mode right turn signal”.
City staff has been coordinating with the TxDOT North Travis County Area Office on the project for reviews and approval of the project prior to authorization of work. The City will be required to obtain TxDOT approval before advertising, selecting the contractor, and awarding the construction contract for the project.
Prior City Council Action
Voters approved Transportation Bond projects on November 3, 2020.
City Council approved a Professional Services Agreement with Burns and McDonnell Engineering Co. Inc. in the amount of $224,335.13 for preliminary design services onJuly 27, 2021
City Council approved a professional services agreement with Burns and McDonnell Engineering Co., Inc. in the amount of $767,795.89 for design engineering services associated with the Intersection Improvements II FM685 and Copper Mine Overpass on September 13, 2022.
City Council approved an Advanced Funding Agreement (AFA) for the Intersection Improvements at FM 685 and Copper Mine Overpass/SH130 on February 28, 2023.
City Council approved a Local On-System Agreement (LOSA) for the Intersection Improvements at E. Pflugerville Parkway and FM 685 on April 11, 2023.
Deadline for City Council Action
Action is requested on May 9, 2023
Funding Expected: Revenue __ N/A _X_
Budgeted Item: Yes __ No __ N/A _X*_
*Project included in the 2020 Transportation Bond Program
Amount: NA
1295 Form Required? Yes _ _ No _X_
Legal Review Required: N/A __ Required _X_ Date Completed:
Supporting documents attached
Memorandum of Understanding
Draft Presentation
Recommended Action
Approve a memorandum of understanding with the Texas Department of Transportation associated with the City Intersection Improvements at E. Pflugerville Parkway and FM 685 and FM 685 and Copper Mine Overpass Projects, and authorizing the City Manage to do the same.