HUTCHINSON, Kan. — The Hutchinson City Council approved work on the East Side Drain bridges back in March, but the paperwork to pay for that project with bonds is on the agenda for the council on Tuesday.
The East Side Drain (ESD) is a ditch that collects and conveys stormwater from north of Hutchinson to the south into Cow Creek. Several bridges cross the ESD at various locations throughout the city.
Based on condition, three of the bridges crossing the ESD were selected for replacement or removal in the 2022 CIP. These bridges are at Pleasant Street, Hoagland Street, and 2nd Avenue. These bridges were all installed in approximately 1930.
Pleasant Street
The most recent inspection indicated the Pleasant Street bridge has degraded. The metal culverts received a 3/10 condition rating. This rating level requires the bridge to now be inspected yearly, instead of every other year. The bridge is listed as “structurally deficient” and is the lowest rated bridge in Hutchinson’s bridge inventory.
Hoagland Street
The Hoagland Street bridge’s condition has steadily declined over the past 15 years and has a current culvert rating of 5/10. The corrugated metal pipes have previously failed, forcing the City to perform temporary repairs to keep the bridge open. Those repairs are showing signs of distress, and the bridge needs to be replaced to ensure the roadway remains open.
2nd Avenue
The 2nd Avenue bridge was constructed from corrugated metal pipes (CMPs) in the 1930s. Since that time, the CMPs have failed, requiring repairs to keep the crossing open. Based on the 2nd Avenue bridge’s location and configuration, Engineering staff determined the crossing was a good candidate for closure. Traffic counts were taken over a 15-day period and found the average daily traffic to be less than 70 vehicles. As such, the 2nd Avenue bridge will not be replaced but will be removed, ending 2nd Avenue at the East Side Drain.
The project slated for approval includes replacing the existing bridges at Pleasant over the ESD and Hoagland over the ESD. Multi-cell reinforced concrete box bridges will be constructed. The existing bridge at 2nd Avenue over the ESD will be permanently removed.
Klaver Construction was the low bid at $1,046,310.31 coming in under the Engineer’s Estimate. The City budgeted $1,200,000 in the 2022 budget for this project.
City Finance Director Angela Richard is bringing Tuesday's item, which will provide for the City’s reimbursement of capital expenditures made before the date of issuance of bonds or other tax-exempt obligations.
To comply with the Reimbursement Regulations, the City Council must adopt the proposed ordinance on Tuesday to reimburse itself for the previous capital expenditures. The project authorization has been rounded to $1,105,000 to allow for bonding costs. If bonding costs are lower, the actual amount needed is all that will be bonded.
The Hutchinson City Council meets Tuesday at 9 a.m. at City Hall.
CLICK HERE to download the Hutch Post mobile app.
CLICK HERE to sign up for the daily Hutch Post email news update.