SUBJECT
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Consideration for approval of Amendment No. 4, an increase in the amount of $17,530.00 to the professional services contract with Structural Engineering Associates, San Antonio, Texas for the World Trade Bridge Expansion Project Phase 1, which will include the drafting of a Biological Opinion Report to address the endangered Texas Hornshell Mussel found within the project site. Current contract amount with this amendment is $7,161,045.01. Funding is available in the Bridge Construction Projects Fund.
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PREVIOUS COUNCIL ACTION
On February 5, 2024, Consideration for approval of Amendment No. 3, an increase in the amount of $4,358,964.00 to the professional services contract with Structural Engineering Associates, San Antonio, Texas for the World Trade Bridge Expansion Project Phase 1, which will include additional coordination and consultation services, overall project management, plans and specifications, bid and construction phase services, and final project permitting. Current contract amount with this amendment is
$7,143,515.01. Partial funding for this amendment was originally allocated for the World Trade Bridge U.S. Customs and Border Protection Existing Lanes Weigh-In-Motion. Funding is available in the Bridge-Construction Fund and the Bridge 2022 Revenue Bond.
On July 31, 2023, City Council approved Amendment No. 2, an increase in the amount of $106,619.23 to the professional services contract with Structural Engineering Associates, San Antonio, Texas for the World Trade Bridge Expansion Project Phase 1, to conduct a Value Engineering Study. Current contract amount with this amendment is $2,784,551.01. Funding is available in the Bridge Construction Fund.
On May 01, 2023, City Council approved Amendment No. 1, an increase in the amount of $1,123,577.00 to the professional services contract with Structural Engineering Associates, San Antonio, Texas for the World Trade Bridge Expansion Project Phase 1, to provide additional bi-national consultation/coordination, meeting preparation, attendance to the Binational Bridges and Border Crossings Group, Joint Working Committee and other meetings, presidential permit update or revisions, initial mussel underwater survey, report and coordination, mussel relocation activities and report, and extended overall project management. Current contract amount with this amendment is $2,677,931.78. Funding is available in the Bridge Construction Fund.
On December 6, 2021, City Council approved to award a professional services contract to Structural Engineering Associates, San Antonio, Texas, in an amount of $1,554,354.78 for the World Trade Bridge Expansion Project Phase 1 for project development schedule, federal re-notification of project intent, bi-national/stakeholder agency consultations and coordination, inclusion of project in LWCAMPO planning documents, presidential permit application document, preliminary engineering &
designs for permits, environmental assessment document, public involvement, consultation and review of environmental assessment document, overall project management. Funding is available in the Bridge Construction Fund.
On September 17, 2021, there was a Workshop presentation with possible action on the Laredo Bridge System Master Plan. The City Council motioned to start both projects immediately, the Expansion of World Trade Bridge and the bridge 4/5 in the South. Get the Presidential Permits and fund both permits by ourselves. On July 311, 2023 City Council approved Amendment No. 2, an increase in the amount of $106,619.23 to the professional services contract with Structural Engineering Associates, San Antonio, Texas for the World Trade Bridge Expansion Project Phase 1, to conduct a Value Engineering Study. Current contract amount with this amendment is $2,784,551.01. Funding is available in the Bridge Construction Fund.
BACKGROUND
As a part of the environmental clearance activities for this project, an analysis of protected species and critical habitat was conducted for the project site, and as a result of this analysis a freshwater mussel survey was performed within the Rio Grande River, within the limits of the project study area. This mussel survey was conducted on January 9-13, 2024, and the existence and observation of one (1) federally listed endangered species, and one (1) federally proposed threatened species was made. Due to the presence of the proposed and listed endangered species within the project area, further consultation and reporting is required with the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) before the disposition for these species can be resolved.
COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION
N/A
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
recommendation
Approval of this motion.
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Fiscal Impact
Fiscal Year: 2025
Budgeted Y/N?: Y
Source of Funds: Bridge Construction Projects Fund
Account #: 553-4050-583-5526
Change Order: Exceeds 25% Y/N: N
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
Funding is available in the Bridge Construction Projects Fund.
Account 553-4050-583-5526 project #WTBEXP