The Cookeville City Council moved forward with plans for a new railroad crossing at Oak Avenue Thursday by authorizing a preliminary engineering and design contract with RJ Corman.
City Manager James Mills said the Nashville Eastern Railroad Authority and RJ Corman previously approved the city’s request for the crossing to connect Oak Avenue as part of the 39 Depot project. Mills said the city is responsible for the construction costs.
“Construction of the crossing would be under a separate contract with Corman until we’d get to that point after the preliminary engineering’s done,” Mills said. “But I’d request your approval of the contract with RJ Corman for preliminary engineering and design and your authorization to execute said contract and submit payment.”
The preliminary engineering and design work carries an estimated cost of $20,337.48. Mills said this amount must be submitted as a deposit, with the city being reimbursed if the final cost is lower or required to pay the difference if it exceeds the estimate.
“And this is an important part of the puzzle to get their approval on anything that we do moving forward,” Councilmember Chad Gilbert said. “It’s just the important thing here is that they’re going to look at our designs today to see what’s been engineered and give us recommendations back.”
Gilbert said the city held a public meeting regarding the design during the first week of May. Gilbert said the city has already made improvements to the design and resubmitted those plans to RJ Corman.
“So I think that’s a very integral part of the process moving forward with this project,” Gilbert said. “So, and that doesn’t say that anything’s final. It doesn’t say that this is going to go forward.”
The council also awarded a $319,200 bid to RimCo Geotechnical Contractors for the Interstate Drive roadway settlement repair project. Public Works Mary Beth Elrod said the project involves drilling approximately 35 primary bore holes and grouting a 100-foot segment of the five-lane roadway to address a dip in the street.
“We’ve evaluated this bid and deemed it good,” Elrod said. “This will be a 90-day contract with, if we can get everything turned around, a possible anticipated start date of June 22nd.”
The city also approved a $15,000 agreement with UES Professional Solutions for construction oversight and inspection of the grouting operation. Elrod said UES is the geotechnical engineer that helped the city develop the bid specifications for the repair project.
The council also renewed a Victims of Crime Act grant totaling $54,773 to fund the city’s victim services coordinator position. Mills said the city has utilized this grant for 10 years to supplement the salary and benefits for the role.
“We will be responsible for any remaining salary benefits or training,” Mills said. “I’d be glad to answer any questions you may have, but I request your approval.”
