TRANSMITTAL LETTER FOR BOARD MEETING OF JULY 10, 2014
COMMITTEE ON ENGINEERING
Mr. David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Title
Authorization for payment to the Illinois Department of Transportation for professional engineering services for Contract 73-161-2H, McCook CUP Reservoir Stages 1&2, McCook, in an amount not to exceed $15,000.00, Account 401-50000-645630
Body
Dear Sir:
Authorization is requested to make payment to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for professional engineering services in an amount not to exceed $15,000.00.
In connection with Contract 73-161-2H, McCook CUP Reservoir Stages 1&2, McCook, it is necessary to obtain right-of-way from IDOT for tunnel crossings beneath Interstate 55 required for the completion of the McCook Reservoir. IDOT has concerns with blasting beneath a major interstate and has expressed reservations about granting the requested right of way without a caveat that any tunnels below the interstate be excavated with a tunnel boring machine (TBM) in lieu of drill and blast techniques. Use of a TBM for the short lengths of the required tunnels is impractical and uneconomical.
IDOT has agreed to consider the request to use drill and blast techniques but requires that the arguments and geological information presented by the District be evaluated by an independent expert.
IDOT estimates that the evaluation will require approximately 100 hours at a total cost not to exceed $15,000.00. Upon completion of the evaluation, IDOT will be reimbursed for the actual costs spent up to $15,000.00.
It is hereby recommended that the Board of Commissioners authorize payment to the Illinois Department of Transportation, in an amount not to exceed $15,000.00.
Funds are available in Account 401-50000-645630.
It is further requested that the Executive Director recommend to the Board of Commissioners that the Chairman of the Committee on Finance and the Clerk be authorized and directed to execute any necessary documents in connection with this request on behalf of the District after it is approved by the Director of Engineering as to technical matters and by the General Counsel as to form and legality.
Requested, Catherine A. O'Connor, Director of Engineering, WSS:KMF
Recommended, David St. Pierre, Executive Director
Respectfully Submitted, Frank Avila, Chairman Committee on Engineering
Disposition of this agenda item will be documented in the official Regular Board Meeting Minutes of the Board of Commissioners for July 10, 2014