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BACKGROUND <br />The 2000 Bernal Property Specific Plan contemplated the extension of Valley Avenue <br />from its then existing terminus at Bernal Avenue to Junipero/Case Avenue. In order to <br />accomplish that extension, the developer of the Bernal property, BIC, was conditioned <br />to build a railroad overpass to accommodate the existing Union Pacific Railroad tracks <br />that are on the property. Valley Avenue has now been extended under a new railroad <br />bridge in a similar fashion to the Bernal Avenue underpass of the railroad to the north. <br />As part of this work, a portion of the storm drain channel adjacent to the railroad tracks <br />was relocated, including the installation of a concrete box culvert where the channel <br />crosses under Valley Avenue extended. Construction of the Valley Avenue Underpass <br />began in July 2005 and was completed and opened for public use in mid-July 2007. <br />The underpass was constructed with a storm water pumping station to pump <br />accumulated storm water runoff from the depressed roadway as it passes the railroad <br />bridge, During construction of the Valley Avenue underpass a high groundwater <br />condition was encountered. Although the original design of the pumps is adequate to <br />handle this additional unexpected water, the pumping station did not include sufficient <br />back up systems to accommodate continual pumping that has occurred due to the high <br />groundwater in this area. As a result of this condition, the developer was required to <br />include an emergency generator and automatic transfer switch to assure continued <br />operation of the pump station should a local or regional power failure occur. The <br />required emergency generator and transfer switch are items that take a long lead time <br />for ordering. The required equipment is now on order by the developer and will be <br />installed and operational in December, 2007. However, since the roadway has been <br />opened to the public since mid July, staff recommends formal acceptance of the <br />infrastructure at this time. A bond has been secured to assure the installation of the <br />emergency generator. In the meantime, City staff has relied on existing mobile <br />generators in case of emergency. <br />DISCUSSION <br />The railroad bridge at this location will be owned and maintained by the City. This is the <br />only railroad bridge in Pleasanton owned by the City. This ownership and maintenance <br />responsibility was the result of recent Railroad and CPUC policy changes. Railroad <br />tracks and track ballast crossing the bridge will continue to be the responsibility of the <br />Railroad. <br />Improvements included in this acceptance include landscaping along Valley Avenue <br />from Laguna Creek Lane and Case Avenue, the new traffic signals installed at the <br />intersection of Valley Avenue and Case Avenue, the railroad bridge structure, and the <br />storm water pumping station located at the south/east edge of the underpass. <br />Submitted by: <br />Rob Wilson <br />Public Works Director <br />Fiscal Review: <br />---_. <br />David P. Culver <br />Finance Director <br />Approve by: <br />Ne on Fialho <br />City Manager <br />Page2of2 <br />