Report to Mayor and City Council
Wednesday, November 07, 2018
Discussion
SUBJECT:
Title
STATUS UPDATE - DOMINGUEZ PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE AT SANTA FE AVENUE (CITY COUNCIL)
Body
I. SUMMARY
The pedestrian bridge at Santa Fe Avenue next to Dominguez Elementary School is temporarily closed for repair due to damage sustained from a truck trailer that was carrying heavy equipment which exceeded the posted height restrictions while traveling southbound on Santa Fe Avenue (Exhibit No. 1). Staff is coordinating the necessary repairs with the bridge owner, Los Angeles Unified School District to make sure the bridge is structurally sound before it is re-opened for pedestrian access.
II. RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
TAKE the following action:
1. RECEIVE AND FILE
Body
III. ALTERNATIVES
1. TAKE another action the City Council deems appropriate, consistent with the
requirements of the law.
IV. BACKGROUND
On August 7, 2018, a truck trailer that was carrying heavy equipment which exceeded the posted height restrictions hit the bottom of the pedestrian bridge located at Santa Fe Avenue next to the Dominguez Elementary School. The bride is owned by the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD). The accident, which appeared to be a hit and run, resulted in damaged concrete and exposure of the steel reinforcing bars to the underside of the pedestrian bridge. This bridge is heavily used by students and parents to reach Dominguez Elementary School and Dominguez Park.
City staff heard the associated noise, found the driver a few blocks away, and took pictures of the vehicle and license plate, which were provided to the Sheriff (Exhibit No. 2). The Public Works staff was notified, and took the lead on cleaning the right of way to ensure that it was safe for pedestrian and vehicle use.
Staff also immediately requested the assistance of the Los Angeles County Bridge Maintenance Division (LA County) to inspect the pedestrian bridge and evaluate its structural integrity. Given that this type of inspection requires a Bridge Specialist, LA County retained the services of their consultant (AECOM) to assist with the field assessment. On September 1, 2018, LA County personnel and two AECOM structural experts with experience in post tension bridge assessed the visible damage and provided the following information:
1. It was determined that a repair procedure was needed and not a girder replacement.
2. The pedestrian bridge is to remain closed until repairs can be made.
3. The hanging rebar reinforcement and the 2 large pieces of concrete had lowered the bridge vertical clearance to potentially be lower than 15’-9” as posted on the bridge.
When AECOM’s field inspection took place, there was a high volume of traffic and no ability to close a lane or secure a boom lift. As such, AECOM was not able to determine the limits of damage and repair or take a closer look at the outer duct that had been dented. Based on the limits of their inspection, a written Damage Assessment Report will be provided that will document findings and recommendations for repair, replacement, or other options available to ensure the bridge is structurally sound.
AECOM submitted the cost breakdown of their professional service fees. The cost associated with the initial inspection service totaled $3,217.36. The cost associated with the more detailed inspection that requires a man lift will total $10,840.38. Any future invoice from AECOM for the initial inspection services performed will be forwarded to the District for payment process.
As recommended by AECOM in Item No. 2 above, Public Works staff blocked off access to the bridge, until necessary repairs are completed and the bridge is determined safe for pedestrian use. To ensure the safety of the pedestrians who now cross the street, Public Safety has placed a Crossing Guard at the intersection of Van Buren Street / Santa Fe Avenue. Staff also addressed Item No. 3 above, by removing the two large pieces of concrete and bending the hanging rebar up in order to meet the posted vertical clearance of 15’-9”.
Pursuant to a Bridge Maintenance Agreement between the County of Los Angeles and the Los Angeles School District (District) that was executed on July 21, 1953 (Exhibit No. 3), the District has full ownership of the bridge and its operation, repair, and maintenance. Staff notified the District of the damage, and advised them to take the necessary action to make the bridge structurally sound for pedestrian use, the Area District Superintendent has been working with the District Risk Management Department to address this issue. In the interim, the Sheriff’s Department has placed two mobile electrical signs on both the North and South entrances of the bridge to alert motorists and pedestrians in the area.
The District Project Manager has informed the City that work is in progress with a Structural Engineer and Contractor who will be conducting a bridge inspection, and preparing the plans and specifications for the proposed repair. The Structural Engineer has been advised of the City’s requirements for any work performed in the public right of way including the need to obtain a construction permit in advance.
Given that the District will be performing its own bridge inspection, AECOM will not perform their proposed detailed inspection. .
Based on the recent discussions, it is expected that the District will be submitting the traffic control plan, improvement plans, and construction schedule to the Engineering Services Division soon. City staff is committed to assisting the District by expediting both the plan approval and permit issuance processes. The City will continue to coordinate with the District as they complete the necessary repairs.
V. FISCAL IMPACT
All expenses associated with this accident should be borne by the District. The cost associated with the initial inspection service performed by the LA County’s consultant AECOM was $ 3,217.36 and will be borne by LAUSD. Expenses incurred by the City include staff time to clean up the accident scene, block access to the pedestrian bridge, and provide a Crossing Guard. The cost to complete the repair and ensure the bridge is structurally sound has not yet been determined, but will be borne by LAUSD as they own the bridge. The City has provided copies of the photographs of the truck that damaged the bridge, so that the LAUSD can pursue an insurance claim.
VI. EXHIBITS
1. Location Map (pg. 4)
2. Photo of the trailer truck (pg. 5)
3. Bridge Maintenance Agreement (pgs. 6-10)
Prepared by: Gilbert M. Marquez, P.E., City Engineer