STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Sustainable
AGENDA DATE: June 25, 2025
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): 10
DEPARTMENT: Department of Transportation and Public Works
EXECUTIVE: Dev Rastogi
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SUBJECT
Title
Authorize an Operations and Maintenance Agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation (Agreement No. CSJ 2374-01-137) for the maintenance of the Skillman Arch Bridge located on Interstate Highway 635 - Financing: No cost consideration to the City (see Fiscal Information for future costs)
Body
BACKGROUND
On October 23, 1996, the City Council authorized support for the recommendations documented in the LBJ Executive Board report dated September 5, 1996, and entitled “Report to Recommend a Locally Preferred Alternative for Improvements to the IH 635 (LBJ Freeway) Corridor from Luna to US 80.”
The local community, led by the Lake Highlands Area Improvement Association (LHAIA), had proposed an alternative design for the LBJ Freeway at Skillman Street interchange that eliminates the Skillman Street flyover and is more conducive to development, and pedestrian and bicycle activity. The City of Dallas, Dallas County, and TxDOT were all supportive of the local community’s alternative design for the LBJ Freeway at Skillman Street interchange.
In order to expedite the engineering design for the new LBJ Freeway at Skillman Street interchange design proposed by the local community, the City of Dallas volunteered to administer and fund the preliminary engineering design, which entailed updating and revising the previously approved schematics and environmental analysis.
The Texas Transportation Commission authorized a partnership program with selected Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPO) and set aside $10 million in state funds for the purpose of replacing the local funds on specific projects; thus permitting the local funds to be sent to the North Central Texas Council of Governments (NCTCOG) to establish the MPO Revolver Fund in the Dallas-Fort Worth region.
On December 10, 2015, the Regional Transportation Council (RTC) approved a funding strategy for the LBJ East/Skillman Arch Bridge project that included $4,377,000 in State Category 12 funds in combination with funding from Dallas County and the City of Dallas to be used to establish a portion of the MPO Revolver Fund. The RTC also approved $65 million in State Category 2 Funds for construction of the project.
On January 24, 2018, the City Council authorized an Interlocal Agreement with NCTCOG to establish the terms and conditions of the funding strategy for the LBJ East/Skillman Arch Bridge project by Resolution No. 18-0187.
On January 24, 2018, the City Council authorized a Memorandum of Understanding with Dallas County, TxDOT, and the Regional Transportation Council outlining the expectations of each agency pertaining to the LBJ East/Skillman Arch Bridge project, in which the City agreed to develop the design plans for the project as local contribution, by Resolution No. 18-0188.
On January 24, 2018, the City Council authorized a Project Specific Agreement with Dallas County in the amount of $7,992,879.00 for engineering and construction of the LBJ East/Skillman Arch Bridge project, which included $3,996,439.50 in County participation and $3,996,439.50 in City of Dallas participation, of which $4,377,000.00 in local funds for construction were to be replaced with federal/state funding from the MPO Revolver Fund by Resolution No. 18-0186.
The City was the lead agency to administer the design of the LBJ Freeway at Skillman Street Interchange improvements.
The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) was the lead agency to administer construction of the LBJ Freeway at Skillman Street Interchange project as part of the LBJ East Project.
As per the agreements, the City will maintain, repair, and operate the bridge, including illumination elements and bridge aesthetic lighting system, in accordance with State standards and Skillman Arch Bridge Owner’s Maintenance and Inspection Manual at the City’s expense. The City also agrees to reimburse the State for the cost associated with inspection of the bridge and traffic control associated with the inspection. The estimated Operations and Maintenance Schedule for the next 25 years is based on 2025 baseline Dollars. The first two years of operation may result in lighting expenses.
This action will authorize an Operations and Maintenance agreement between the City of Dallas and TxDOT for the maintenance of the Skillman Arch Bridge located on Interstate Highway 635 (IH-635). (National Bridge Inventory Structure No. 18-057-0-2374-01-699, State Control-Section-Job No. 2374-01-137.)
ESTIMATED SCHEDULE OF PROJECT
Begin Maintenance July 2025
Complete Maintenance July 2075
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
On June 22, 2011, the City Council authorized a professional services contract with Bridgefarmer & Associates, Inc. for the preliminary engineering design of bridge, paving and drainage improvements for the IH-635 at Skillman/Audelia Project, by Resolution No. 11-1695.
On June 26, 2013, the City Council authorized Supplemental Agreement No. 1 to the professional services contract with Bridgefarmer & Associates, Inc. for the final engineering design of bridge, paving and drainage improvements for the IH-635 at Skillman/Audelia Project, by Resolution No. 13-1147.
The Mobility Solutions, Infrastructure, and Sustainable (MSIS) Committee was briefed by the North Central Council of Governments’ (NCTCOG) Director of Transportation regarding the Texas Transportation Commission’s initiative to fund several critically needed large projects in the metropolitan area of the State including the LBJ Freeway East Corridor from U.S. Highway 75 to Interstate Highway 30 on October 9, 2017.
On January 24, 2018, the City Council authorized an Interlocal Agreement with NCTCOG to establish the terms and conditions of the funding strategy for this project, by Resolution No. 18-0187.
On January 24, 2018, the City Council authorized a Memorandum of Understanding with Dallas County, TxDOT, and the Regional Transportation Council outlining the expectations of each agency pertaining to this project, in which the City agreed to develop the design plans for the project as local contribution, by Resolution No. 18-0188.
On January 24, 2018, the City Council authorized a Project Specific Agreement with Dallas County in the amount of $7,992,879.00 for engineering and construction of this project, which included $3,996,439.50 in County participation and $3,996,439.50 in City of Dallas participation, of which $4,377,000.00 in local funds for construction will be replaced with federal/state funding from the MPO Revolver Fund by Resolution No. 18-0186.
The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee was provided with the Department’s Quarterly Report, which included the Bridge/other structures Maintenance and Repair Projects on May 13, 2025.
FISCAL INFORMATION
Estimated future costs are $774,000.00 total over the 25-year period from FY 2025 to FY 2050. The Department of Transportation and Public Works will come back to the City Council with a contract for the operation and maintenance of the Skillman Arch Bridge.
MAP
Attached