SW0501-CS060215 (2)COP?ELL
February 15, 2006
Ms. Kim Nobles
Community Development Administrator
Dallas County Public Works
411 Elm Street, 3rd Floor
Dallas, Texas 75202
Samuel Boulevard Curb Ramps/SW 05-01
Project Schedule
Dear Ms. Nobles:
This letter provides an update on the status of the above-referenced Community Development
Block Grant (CDBG) project. A variance application was submitted to the Texas Department of
Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) on November 19, 2005 along with a set of schematic plans.
The variance was submitted prior to initiating design of the project. According to the
administrative rules of the TDLR, the application of the Texas Accessibility Standards (TAS) in a
public right-of-way will be limited to those pedestrian elements being constructed or
reconstructed as part of the project scope. The proposed Samuel Boulevard project consists of the
removal of the existing curb ramps and the construction of new curb ramps. A short section of
new sidewalk is required at each ramp location in order to tie the new ramp into the existing
sidewalk. We requested a variance on the cross slope of the new sidewalk (TAS Section 4.3.7) in
order to eliminate the possibility of having to remove and replace large sections of the existing
sidewalk. The city did not intend to reconstruct any non-compliant sidewalks or crosswalks as
part of this project.
After checking on the status of the variance application several times, we were told on February
14, 2006 that the TDLR would not issue a blanket variance. The TDLR needs to have each
variance location identified and the cross slope recorded. We now have the equipment to perform
in-house surveying and have initiated the design surveying. The location and cross slope of any
necessary variances will be determined during the design phase and submitted to the TDLR. If
they deny any or all of the variances, the scope of the project could increase. We have a fixed
amount of funding and had hoped to eliminate this possibility belbre starting the design of the
project.
In accordance with the CDBG Project Implementation Agreement, I am requesting written
consent to change the project schedule shown in Item 4. of the agreement. We can not meet the
schedule because of the time it will take for us to design TAS compliant improvements and work
with the TDLR on the variances. The project will also have to be submitted to TDLR for the
TAS review and approval. The new estimated schedule is as follows:
Complete Design
Utility Conflicts Complete
NTP of the Construction Contract
Construction Completion
January 2007
March 2007
May 2007
October 2007
The Project Application had the proposed completion date as June 2007, ~vhich was a more
realistic date. We were requested by Dallas County to move the dates up in the Agreement.
Your consideration of this matter is appreciated and should you have any questions or need any
additional information, please advise.
Sincerely,
S uza~C~ Taylor
C.I.P. Coordinator
Engineering Department
Direct: 972-304-7019
Fax: 972-304-3570
E-mail: staylor(~ci.coppell.tx.us