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Agenda Item # 14

BOARD MEMORANDUM

RECOMMENDATION:

Authorize the General Manager to execute a Cooperative Agreement with the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) covering construction of the 1996 Measure B Transportation Improvement Program Route 85/101 (N) Interchange Project.

BACKGROUND:

The 1996 Measure B Transportation Improvement Program includes the improvement of eleven highway projects located on the state highway system within Santa Clara County.  State statutes and Caltrans require a Cooperative Agreement be executed between Caltrans and any project sponsor for any project proposed to be funded and/or constructed by an outside sponsoring agency on the state highway system.  The agreement is intended to clearly establish the role and responsibilities between the sponsor agency and the State of California.  Cooperative Agreements typically include delineation of responsibilities for all major phases of project development including environmental review, design, right-of-way acquisition, construction management and may also cover funding commitments of the parties involved.

The Master Cooperative Agreement covering the environmental review and design phases of the 1996 Measure B Transportation Improvement Program projects was approved by the Board of Directors at their May 4, 2000 meeting.  The Board of Directors approved the Master Cooperative Agreement covering right-of-way acquisition activities at their April 5, 2001 meeting.

DISCUSSION:

VTA staff has completed negotiations with Caltrans regarding a Cooperative Agreement for construction of the Route 85/101 (N) Interchange Project.  The Agreement defines the roles and responsibilities of VTA and Caltrans.  It specifies that VTA will advertise, award and administer the construction contracts for the Route 85/101 (N) Interchange Project and that Caltrans will perform an oversight role at no cost to the 1996 MBTIP. 

In addition to this Cooperative Agreement for construction activities on the Route 85/101 (N) Interchange Project, VTA intends to execute individual Cooperative Agreements with Caltrans for construction management phases of the remaining 1996 Measure B projects as each project schedule dictates. 

ALTERNATIVES:

There is no practical alternative to the recommended action.

FISCAL IMPACT:

There is no direct fiscal impact to VTA.  All responsibilities outlined in the Cooperative Agreement are included in the approved VTA Capital Projects and 1996 Measure B Program budgets.

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