HomeMy WebLinkAbout10/24/2023 05. Discussion on the Yakima Trolley Infrastructure 1
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BUSINESS OF THE CITY COUNCIL
YAKIMA, WASHINGTON
AGENDA STATEMENT
Item No. 5.
For Meeting of: October 24, 2023
ITEM TITLE: Discussion on the Yakima Trolley Infrastructure
SUBMITTED BY: Scott Schafer, Director of Public Works
*Bill Preston, City Engineer, (509) 576-6754
SUMMARY EXPLANATION:
Discussion is needed regarding the current state of the Yakima Trolley infrastructure. There are
two areas of concern; the status of the bridge spanning over the Naches River and the trolley
tracks within 6th Avenue.
Staff will be providing an update to the Trolley Bridge Inspection report that was recently
conducted by Sargent Engineers, Inc. in August. Staff is in need of City Council direction as to
whether or not the City proceeds with the costly repair work as well as to determine possible
funding sources. The Trolley Bridge Inspection report has been attached for City Council review.
Staff will also discuss the 6th Ave/Trolley Track Repair project. In 2017, the City Council
established the Transportation Benefit District (TBD)to address specific street and sidewalk
improvement projects to be funded by an annual vehicle fee of twenty dollars ($20.00). City
Council had approved the 6th Ave./Trolley Track Repair project as a TBD project.
As the N. 1st St. Revitalization project is nearing its completion with Phase 3, the 6th Ave./Trolley
Track Repair project is scheduled to be the next TBD project that staff addresses. The project is
to remove and replace the trolley tracks and to reconstruct 6th Ave. with a grind & overlay from
Yakima Ave. to Gordon Rd. Due to the significant cost of the project, staff wanted to provide City
Council options prior to the start of the project.
1. Reconstruct 6th Ave./Remove/Replace Trolley Tracks -$6.9M
2. Remove/Replace just the Trolley Tracks -$3.9M
3. Reconstruct 6th Ave and Remove Trolley Tracks -$3M
ITEM BUDGETED: NA
2
STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Public Trust and Accountability
APPROVED FOR SUBMITTAL BY THE CITY MANAGER
RECOMMENDATION:
ATTACHMENTS:
Description Upload Date Type
D Trolley Bridge report 10/12/2023 Backup Material
❑ 6th AA,e options 10/12/2023 Backup Material
3
S 71 ENT
Sargent Engineers,Inc.
320 Ronlee Lane NW
Olympia,Washington 98502-9241
Tel 360 867-9284
www sarge nteng i nee rs.com
August 1, 2023
Bill Preston, PE
City of Yakima Engineering
129 North Second Street
Yakima, WA 98901
(509)575-6111
RE: Yakima YVT Trolley Bridge Inspection
Project No.: A23125.00
Dear Mr. Preston:
INTRODUCTION
The Yakima Valley Transit Bridge is a three-span bridge. Span one consists of timber stringers and timber supports,
and span two and three consist of a thru steel truss. The bridge is located within Yakima's city limits. The railroad
bridge was constructed in 1920 and is used by the city for trolly trains. The bridge is supported by two interior
concrete pier walls, one concrete abutment, and one timber abutment. The two thru-truss spans have a steel floor
system comprised of transverse steel floor beams and longitudinal steel stringers. The deck consists off transverse
railroad ties with timber curbs full length.
SCOPE OF WORK
• Perform a fracture critical inspection of the bridge.
This includes the inspection of all the primary
structural components of the bridge (truss, floor •
beams, stringers, and cross-bracing)
• Conduct ultrasonic testing of each of the bridge's -31X by
connecting pins '# kr" �x a
• Document anyobserved deficiencies that may4`" .�
affect the load carrying capacity of the bridge or � •
require maintenance or repairs. r
• Prepare a memo documenting our findings �" �
including any maintenance recommendations .
necessary ,� x} .r` ' ,, � r
4., 'fit i� d 1
• Prepare routine inspection report and update _ -
WSBIS
i ..
4
SARGENT Mr. Preston
Page 2
August 1, 2023
STRUCTURAL OBSERVATIONS
On June 19, 2023 Sargent Engineers observed the general condition of the bridge. The bridge members within
reach using climbing techniques were visually inspected. For the purpose of this report, assume the bridge
orientation to be generally South to North, with Span 1 being nearest City of Yakima. Below is a summary of our
findings by member type.
TIMBER DECK TIES
There are 337 transverse timber railroad ties along the entire length of the bridge. The timber deck ties range from
good to poor condition. Many of the deck ties have visible decay, internal tie rot, or burn damage which accounts for
36%of the total 337 timber ties. See attached images IM03 and IM04.
TIMBER STRINGERS
Span one consists of(6) 12"x27" treated timber stringers. Stringers 3 and 6 are moderately decayed with rot pockets
up to 12"deep with approximately 1"side shells decay in stringer 1 is minor at this time.
STEEL TRUSSES
There are two painted steel thru-truss main spans. Overall, the paint condition of the bridge is in good condition.
Minor pack rust has developed under the top cover plates both sides of bridge at U2, U5, U8 and U11. There is a
small isolated delamination in the Cross brace between U3 east to U4 west. Ultrasonic testing of each of the pins
resulted in the finding of an indication in the Span 2, L1 West pin. See attached image IM05 and IM06.
STEEL FLOOR BEAMS
There are four transverse painted steel floor beams at each truss panel point along the main spans. The steel floor
beams and the paint are in good condition. Previous painted over pack rust has deformed the vertical floor beam end
plates at the panel point just above the pin up to 3/4". There is no observed section loss. See attached image IM07.
STEEL STRINGERS
There are two longitudinal painted steel stringers spanning between floor beams. The stringers consist of built up
steel plate members. The steel stringers are in good condition. The paint is in good condition with no observed signs
of water intrusion. See attached image IM14 through IM15.
STEEL BEARINGS
There are fixed and movable bearings below the truss ends. The bearings are in good to fair condition. There is
minor deformation to the roller stop plates of the East roller bearing at pier 3. Minor rusting exists where the rollers
contact the bearing plate. See attached image IM08 through IM09
5
SARGENT Mr. Preston
Page 3
August 1, 2023
CONCRETE PIER WALLS
The interior substructure elements consist of concrete pier walls. The concrete pier walls are in fair condition. The
concrete is moderately cracked with pattern cracks extending down the pier wall face. The decorative column caps
are deteriorating with large spells and cracking. See attached image IM11
A large drift dam exists between Pier 3 and the southern bank. There is scour along the footing at Pier 3.
Measurements were taken along the accessible edge of the footing with a maximum of 3.5'from the top of the footing
to the channel bottom at the upstream end. This is a 1.5' increase since the previous inspection. See the figure
below, and attached images IM12 &IM13.
COBBLE/BOULDER
SPUR
OLD COFFER
DAM
3.5' FACE 2.D'
FACE
3.5' FACE 2.0' =ACE 2.5' FACE
BOULDER 2•0'
RIP RAP FACE
PIER WALL
FOOTING
DRIFT DAM
BACK
WATER
PIER 3c1
CONCRETE ABUTMENT
The abutment at the bridge north end consists of a concrete wall. The concrete abutment is in relatively good
condition. There is some spelling of the decorative caps. See image IM10
6
SARGENT Mr. Preston
Page 4
August 1, 2023
TIMBER ABUTMENT
The south timber abutment is in poor condition as documented in the South Abutment Inspection report, included as
Appendix A to this report.
SUMMARY
The steel thru truss is in relatively good condition. There is only minor pack rust that has developed at the previously
mentioned floor beam connections. The Pier 3 pier wall footing scour has increased since the previous inspection. It
is unknown how much of the foundation has scoured and may warrant continued monitoring of the foundation.
The damaged/deteriorated timber ties are in poor enough condition that replacement is warranted. Span one timber
stringers 3 and 6 were found to be moderately decayed with rot pockets. These decayed stringers are not believed to
last long under proposed use.
RECOMMENDATIONS
• Replace decayed timber stringers 3&6 in Span 1 in kind
• Replace the damaged/decayed timber deck ties in kind
• Replace south timber abutment
• Perform ultrasonic test of Pin S2-L1 West
• Monitor Pier 3 foundation for scour
• Brush back vegetation growing into Span 2 Truss
Attached are observation photos and a rough order of magnitude estimate to assist in planning for the completion of
the above recommendations. The estimate incorporates costs associated with the south timber abutment
replacement recommended in the South Abutment Inspection report. Thank you for this opportunity to assist you
with this project, if you should have any questions, please do not hesitate to call.
Respectfully,
Sargent Engineers, Inc. p oRONiN
was
Q �� cooG
-0 51096
Craig Mallow, PE 1 4'F�ISTE014.v
Senior Project Engineer SS/OVAL �
qgc, Encl.
B:\23Files\W23125.00 YVT Bridge Inspection\Reports\Report_Yakima Valley Bridge.docx
7
Preston
SARGEN Mr.
Page 5
August 1, 2023
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8
S1. RGEIIT
Mr. Preston
Page 6
August 1, 2023
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IM11 —Pier 3 Erosion Looking West IM12—Drift Dam Between Pier 3 and South Bank
9
SARGENT Mr. Preston
Page 7
August 1, 2023
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Image 17—Pier 2A and Pier 2B Image 18—Under Span 1 Looking at Abt 1
10
SARGENT Mr. Preston
Page 8
August 1, 2023
ROUGH ORDER OF MAGNITUDE
CITY OF YAKIMA WT TROLLEY BRIDGE ROM COST ESTIMATE
ITEM DESCRIPTION UNIT QTY UNIT COST COSTS
Remove and Replace Timber Stringers 1 L.S. $ 40,000 $ 40,000
Remove and Replace Timber Ties 1 L.S. $ 35,000 $ 35,000
Replace South Timber Abutment 1 L.S. $ 104,500 $ 104,500
Ultrasonic Pin Inspection 1 L.S. $ 10,000 $ 10,000
Clear Brush 1 L.S. $ 3,000 $ 3,000
Subtotal = $ 192,500
PE Costs (25%) EST. 1 ---- $ 48,125
Right of Way Costs EST. 0 ---- $ -
Construction Engineering (18%) EST. 1 ---- $ 34,650
Contingency (15%) EST. 1 ---- $ 28,875
Mobilization (10%) L.S. 1 ---- $ 19,250
Inflation Factor(5% per year) YEAR 1 ---- $ 9,625
Total Costs for Rehablitation $ 333,025
11
SARGENT Mr. Preston
Page 9
August 1, 2023
APPENDIX A
12
S ENT
Sargent Engineers,Inc.
320 Ronlee Lane NW
Olympia,Washington 98502-9241
Tel 360 867-9284
www sa rgenteng i nee rs.com
June 17, 2023
Mr. Bill Preston, PE
City of Yakima
129 North Second Street
Yakima, WA 98901
RE: Yakima YVT Trolley Bridge-South Abutment Inspection
Project No.: A23125.00
Dear Mr. Preston:
On May 2, 2023, Craig Mallow and Chet Kocan of Sargent Engineers, Inc. made a site visit to inspect the abutment
deterioration on the Yakima Valley Trolley Bridge over the Naches River. The structure is 324 foot long carrying a single-track
railway in a generally south to north direction from the north end of Yakima, Washington toward Selah, Washington. The three
spans are a 26-foot-long timber girder span and two 149-foot steel through truss spans. The deteriorated south timber
abutment supports one end of the 26-ft timber girder span.
The following observations are for the south timber abutment. The timber foundation is comprised of individual 8x12 timber sill
footings. The foundation supports a 12x14 transverse timber cap. The cap supports the superstructure which is comprised of
(6) 12x27 longitudinal timber girders and 8x12 timber deck ties spaced 18" on center. The backwall retaining the approach fill
is comprised of 6x16 timber lagging stacked (3)high.
8x12x10—ft 0 18"o.c.
Timber Deck Ties, typ.
6x16 Timber—\1/4 A X 47 g
Lagging, typ. 1l
12x27 Timber 12x14x15—ft
Girders, typ. - limber Cap
±8x12 Timber Sill Foundation
• The first timber tie behind the timber lagging has settled resulting in an approximate 3" gap between the rail track and
the tie.
• The timber sill footings are severely decayed and crushed. There was no need to sound or drill the sills to determine
the extent of remaining material. They are in a failed state. (Image next page)
• The timber lagging back wall is moderately to severely decayed. While sounding with a hammer, the backwall was
punctured to decay. Currently, the backwall is still functioning as fill retention, but due to decay, there is little remaining
service life. (Image next page)
• The timber cap was sounded using a geologist's hammer to locate any possible decay. No signs of decay were
observed.
13
S/MGEN1' Yakima YVT Trolley Bridge
South Abutment Inspection
Page 2
PHOTO DOCUMENTATION
s _ �� Settled Approach Tie
7 -..
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d : of s' T'
,01
-
/Sr ,( ! "1,. t ' 4 yam. k,1 �i -
{,� Mi ''
' Severely Decayed '` 5 -F Decay Hole in
Timber Sill Footing,, A,h Timber Lagging
CONCLUSION
The timber sill footings have failed and the timber backwall is moderately to severely decayed. If trolley traffic were allowed to
cross the bridge in this condition, there is significant risk that the abutment will collapse under the trolley's weight. The timber
sill footings are approximately 8-inches thick and would initiate the collapse by crushing, causing the timber girders and rails to
abruptly sink and possibly tilt,which could cause the trolley to derail.
Given the failed condition state of the sill footings, there is no reliable strength remaining to support the superstructure.
Guidance provided within the WSDOT Bridge Inspection Manual states"bridges not capable of carrying a minimum gross live
load of three tons shall be closed." As such, due to the observed failed condition state, potential for collapse under trolley
loads, and guidance provided by the governing inspection agency, we recommend closing the bridge to trolley traffic until
repairs are made.
Repairs can be completed by temporarily shoring the existing timber girders, removing the decayed timber elements, and
replacing them with a new foundation and backwall. Once the foundation elements are replaced, regrading and compacting
the approach fills will be required. To improve maintenance and service life,we recommend replacing the timber sill footings
with a reinforced concrete footing and the timber backwall with a reinforced concrete or corrugated steel backwall. We
estimate a rough order of magnitude of$115,000 plus permitting and engineering to complete this work.
Please contact us with any comments or questions or if you need additional services such as assembling repair plans and
specifications.
Sincerely, RRON �I
Sargent Engineers, Inc. `� Poc WAS,1'"`9<i
Nr
Craig Mallow, P.E. -0 51096
Senior Project Engineer �o s oisT E��`sr v
—Is
C- ..
6/17/23
CAM
B:123Files1A23125.00 YVT Bridge Inspection\AbutmentReport.docx
14
6th Avenue Reconstruction
Walnut Street to River Road
Reconstruct 6th Avenue and replace trolley tracks: Estimate: $6,900,000
• Currently on the TBD project list
• Two years in Design, includes Environmental
• Earliest construction 2024
• Does NOT include trolley pole and wire replacement
• Would need to bond or take at least 4 years of TBD revenue. No other TBD projects would be
worked on during this effort without bonding (or another revenue source)
Remove/replace just the trolley tracks: Estimate: $3,900,000
• Does NOT include trolley pole and wire replacement
• 6th Ave reconstruction would follow some time later
• Would improve the ride for the trolley but wouldn't do much for the automobiles
• Makes the road reconstruction more difficult because we have to avoid damaging the new
trackwork.
• Would need to bond or take at least 2.5 years of TBD revenue. No other TBD projects would be
worked on during this effort without bonding (or another revenue source)
Replace road and remove tracks: Estimate: $3,000,000
• Easier and less expensive to improve 6th Avenue. Would still have to remove all the ties and rails
and completely rebuild that section of the roadway
• Would 2 years of TBD revenue. May be able to fund with current fund balance
• If ANY previous Recreation and Conservation Office (RCO)funding for trolley projects was used
by the City,those funds would be required to be paid back.
• Other prior federal funds used by the City for trolley projects MAY also be required to be paid
back.
• Trolley impacts: All of the following would create difficulty in getting through the environmental
process
o Would effectively kill the trolley system leaving only the short run down Pine and leaving no
way to get access to the gap and into Selah. Would no longer be an "interurban trolley
line".
o The YVT is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
o YVT is in the process of getting the Trolleys Registered as a National Historic Landmark.
Attaining National Historic Landmark status would help the trolley line find more sources of
grants and funding crucial to ensure the vintage trolley railroad's survival. It could also help
with publicity.
o Yakima's trolley railroad is the last historically intact interurban railroad in the United States.
Its trolleys are America's last intact, early 20th century, interurban electric railroad cars. The
YVT currently has a matching grant to restore the Brill car up to $150,000. If they get less
they still get a match.
o The City got a grant from the Washington State Heritage Capitol Projects program for
$49,926 in 2016. The City allocated $100,000 for YVT improvements in the 2015 budget.
o There was also another HCP grant: HCP 17-33 Yakima Valley Trolley Capital Project Grant