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Rail approvals move MLK Jr./Jack Warren Parkway project forward; bids possible this summer, construction estimated about 30 months
Summary
Engineering staff reported railroad plan approvals for two spur lines and said the design team will update cost estimates in about two weeks; advertising for bids could begin in June or July but outside approvals and funding validation could extend the schedule.
Engineering staff told the committee that both the mainline spur plans and the Goodrich spur‑line plans for the Martin Luther King Jr./Jack Warren Parkway reconstruction have been approved by the railroad, a milestone the presenter said allows the design team to finalize quantities and an updated cost estimate.
Mike, a city staff member, said the railroad approval for the Goodrich Spurline arrived in April. He told the committee the design team expects to deliver an updated cost estimate in about two weeks and that the city will then determine whether to modify its TIGRIG funding arrangement. "We now have both sets of plan drawings for the railroad reconstruction approved," Mike said, adding that the city still must finalize a construction and maintenance agreement with the railroad.
When asked about timing, staff said the city could potentially advertise the project for bids in June or July, but several factors could delay that timeline: a prequalification and vetting process required by the railroad for contractors, likely adding 30 to 45 days to the advertisement period; possible updates to the funding agreement with TIGRIG; and validation proceedings in circuit court tied to the funding arrangement. Staff estimated the construction duration at about 30 months once a contractor is on board.
Committee members emphasized the need to keep the public informed about schedule changes. One committee member proposed a regular status list or monthly updates so the public and committee members would understand causes of any delay; staff agreed to work with the committee on recurring updates.
Next steps the committee recorded were: design team to deliver updated quantities and a cost estimate (about two weeks), staff to negotiate the construction and maintenance agreement with the railroad in coordination with the Office of City Attorney (OCA), and continued work on any TIGRIG funding modifications and validation in circuit court before advertising the project. No formal actions or votes were taken on funding changes at this meeting.
