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Council approves contract transfers and federal grant acceptances for Meadoway and other bridge projects
Summary
The Town Council authorized amendments to transfer bridge-design contracts to a new engineering firm, accepted federal right-of-way and utility grants for the Meadoway (Meadow Way) bridge replacement, and approved related environmental study funding for three additional bridges.
The Fairfax Town Council approved contract amendments and accepted federal grant awards for multiple bridge projects, including the Meadoway bridge replacement, Creek Road seismic retrofit, the bridge preventive maintenance program and Azalea Avenue.
Council action authorized a transfer of the existing master agreement from California Infrastructure Consultancy (CIC) to MGE Engineering for Meadoway bridge final design, right-of-way and utilities coordination and increased the contract by $1,061,666. The council also accepted $842,826 in federal grant funds for that phase. Separately, the council approved a related amendment to add $174,280 for cultural and historic resource studies and environmental work for the Creek Road and BPMP projects and accepted $115,739 in additional federal funding. The council also combined a separate Azalea Avenue agreement into the master contract to streamline administration.
Nader, the town's project presenter, reviewed the federal grant timeline and explained that federal (NEPA) and state (CEQA) environmental clearances and right-of-way work must be done before the projects can be advertised for construction. He told the council that Meadoway's right-of-way history required clarification: portions of the road were offered to the county a century ago and were never formally accepted, so the town needs a right-of-way acquisition process and temporary easements for five properties along the route. That work is on the critical path to advertising the Meadoway project for construction.
Councilmembers and residents pressed staff on schedule risk: staff said they had been working with outside counsel on a quiet-title/eminent-domain path that can clear ownership questions, but that the legal phase can take months and could push construction beyond the previously targeted 2026 start. Residents representing Meadoway-area neighborhoods urged the town to accelerate the right-of-way and permit steps; several said the bridge is a life‑safety and wildfire-evacuation priority.
The council voted to approve the contract transfers and grant acceptances in two separate actions. Both measures passed unanimously. Staff said the town will continue outreach to affected property owners, finalize agreements with utility providers for relocations, pursue regulatory permits and seek to advertise construction once right-of-way is cleared.
Ending: With the council votes the projects remain federally eligible and funded for right-of-way and environmental work; staff cautioned that property‑title work and permit timing may shift the expected construction calendar.
