Council needs your input! Please review the below project information and take the survey on our Let's Talk Hudson site.
This summer, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) is replacing a culvert under SR 91 just north of the Norfolk Southern Railroad Bridge near Yours Truly (project info can be found here). Since ODOT received permission from Norfolk Southern to perform work under/near the railroad bridge, the City requested to do a sidewalk project at the same time to avoid the difficulty and significant, indefinable lead time to secure the same permission from Norfolk Southern at a later date. The sidewalk along the west side of SR 91, between Yours Truly and just south of the Railroad Overpass Bridge, would be widened to better accommodate a future segment of Veterans Trail.
The Veterans Trail project is a five-phase trail development to dramatically expand bicycle and pedestrian access in Hudson. View the Veterans Trail Map here.
Project Cost
UPDATED COSTS 3/8/23:
Ever since ODOT received the $185,871 Norfolk Southern Railroad Force Account Fee estimate, ODOT had been negotiating to have the fee amount reduced. This fee covers the Railroad’s inspection and administrative fees. The total project cost of $370,711, including the Railroad Force Account Fee, was coming due to ODOT on March 21 if Council decided to move forward with the project.
ODOT notified the City on Tuesday, March 7 that they had finally succeeded in getting the railroad’s fee reduced to $20,000, which is a $165,871 reduction in total cost. The total for the project is now $204,840. Any unused funds will be returned to the City.
| Project Cost Breakdown |
|
|---|
Construction Contract Estimate
| $168,035.58
|
ODOT Engineering Amount
| $16,804.42
|
Norfolk Southern Railroad Force Account
| $185,871.00 $20,000
|
Total City Cost
| $370,711.00 $204,840
|
Budgeted
| $175,000
|
Overage = $370,711 - $175,000 = $195,711 Overage = $204,840 - $175,000 = $29,840
ORIGINAL COST INFORMATION ON 3/1/23 PRIOR TO RAILROAD FORCE ACCOUNT FEE REDUCTION:
ODOT is funding the culvert replacement under SR 91. The City’s initial project cost for the sidewalk project was $175,000 to be paid for by the City of Hudson. However, due to the increased construction administration and Norfolk Southern Railroad fees, ODOT is requesting an additional $195,711.00, for a total City of Hudson cost of $370,711.00.
Why does Norfolk Southern require fees and what are they for?
The Norfolk Southern Fee, or Force Account Estimate, accounts for the railroad’s time associated with the project’s plan review process, construction engineering, administrative fees, and in-construction Railroad Protective Services. Force Account means that the owner (in this case the City) puts up the money and the Railroad draws against the funds. They only pull the funds they need to complete the work.
It is likely that the entirety of the Norfolk Southern Railroad Force Account may not be utilized, but the full amount is required to be paid up front due to insufficient time to negotiate a lower fee, secure the legislation and submit payment to ODOT ahead of their fiscal deadline of March 21. If the entire amount is not used, the money would be refunded to the City.
What's Next? We Need to Hear From You!
We need to hear from you! Review the project details, FAQs, maps, and take our survey on our Let's Talk Hudson site. City Council will be presented with the findings of the survey at the Council Workshop scheduled for March 14, 2023.