Wakefield-Lynnfield Rail Trail Feasibility Study - Town of Wakefield

COST ESTIMATES13.2 Project Development CostsThe engineering design and permitting fee is typically between 10% and 20% of theconstruction cost, with the variation being attributed to the complexity of design issuesalong the corridor, number of structures and extent of required permitting. Theadditional permitting costs for the Lynnfield section of project is a result of the anticipatedfloodplain compensation and wetland replication areas needed to cross Reedy Meadow.For planning purposes, a ballpark fee for the 4.4-mile rail trail is as follows:Figure 21: Project Development Cost EstimateDescription Wakefield Lynnfield CombinedEngineering Design $230,000 $270,000 $500,000Permitting $40,000 $60,000 $100,000Total $270,000 $330,000 $600,000This fee estimate assumes an economy of scale of this project being designed andpermitted under one contract. This approach will help reduce overall project costs byallowing tasks to be performed as a single effort rather than having to prepare twoseparate design plan sets and permit applications.Assuming a MassHighway design process is followed, a 25% MassHighway Design(preliminary design) is typically between 40% to 50% of the total design fee. Therefore,the 25% Design fee for the Wakefield/Lynnfield Rail Trail would be approximately$300,000. This fee estimate is not based on detailed tasks and related work efforts butrather is a ballpark estimate intended for programming purposes.The 25% Design phase, according to the MassHighway Project Development & DesignGuide, includes a complete topographic survey including delineation of environmentalresource areas, and preparation of preliminary alignment plans, profiles and typicalcross sections for the trail. In addition, during the 25% Design, watershed mapping andhydraulic studies will need to be completed for the Reedy Meadow area. Based on thisinformation, it is possible to determine the extent of actual impacts, if any, that a trailwould have upon adjacent resource areas and private properties. During the 25%Design phase, the designer will determine which permits and approvals will be requiredfor the project, and will initiate early coordination with those local and state agencies.After the 25% Design is completed and approved by MassHighway, a Design PublicHearing is held in the community. The project can then advance to the final designphases (75% Design 100% Design Final Plans, Specifications & Estimates). Allnecessary permits are secured before the project is put out to bid for construction.13.3 Maintenance & Public Safety OversightMany publicly owned and managed rail trails incur trail maintenance costs as part oftheir annual public works or parks & recreation programs and budgets. These entitiestypically do not keep a separate cost and activity record of the maintenance andmanagement of the trail. Therefore it is difficult to identify the costs related to asneeded,seasonal and long-term maintenance activitiesWakefield / Lynnfield Rail Trail Feasibility Study PAGE 13-3