District Engineer, Ewa Z. Bauer - Golden Gate Transit

Board of Directors Agenda Item No. 6.C.
Meeting of August 10, 2012 Page 4
significance. On October 26, 2011, November 3, 2011, and December 1, 2011, staff met with
Caltrans to discuss the reports. Caltrans has approved all of the reports except for the Traffic
Study. The revised Traffic Study and Design Exceptions fact sheets were resubmitted to
Caltrans on January 17, 2012, incorporating previous comments from Caltrans. The District met
with Caltrans on February 14, 2012, to review the changes. District received Caltrans’ written
comments on the revised Traffic Study and Design Exceptions fact sheet on April 6, 2012, and
has responded to the comments. District is waiting for Caltrans’ comments. Staff has reviewed
the 35% completion design plans and proposed changes to the lane striping. The consultant
evaluated the impact of the proposed change on traffic operations and determined that traffic
operations will be improved. On May 24, 2012, the Board authorized the General Manager to
execute a Cooperative Agreement with Caltrans that outlines the coordination of responsibilities
for environmental evaluation, design and construction of the portion of the Golden Gate Bridge
moveable median barrier to be installed within the State Highway 101 right-of-way north and
south of the Golden Gate Bridge. The Cooperative Agreement was executed on June 14, 2012.
The District met with Caltrans on July 16 and July 31, 2012, and reviewed the outstanding
comments on the Traffic Study, Geometric Design and Design Exceptions. Caltrans requested
additional information regarding the traffic operations within Caltrans’ right-of-way north of the
bridge north abutment. The District has submitted the requested information to Caltrans for
review.
Golden Gate Bridge Informal Science Education Resource. This project will fund improvements
to the visitor’s experience at the Golden Gate Bridge. The principle work is the development of
permanent science-oriented outdoor exhibits, exhibits explaining the original bridge construction
and information about the bridge. Work also includes development of a master plan of what is
known as the East Visitor Area to ensure that the placement of the exhibits at the bridge site is
professionally guided and to ensure that this phase follows logical steps that could later lead to
the realization of a Visitor Center at the site. On October 23, 2009, the Board authorized the
addition of this new project to the FY 09/10 Bridge Division Capital Budget in an amount of
$3,499,777, to be funded with NSF grant funds ($2,999,777) and with District reserves
($500,000). On January 15, 2010, the Board of Directors adopted Resolution No. 2010-009 that
approved locating the outdoor exhibits within Battery Lancaster, including modifying the Battery
by removing a wedge from the north facing Concrete Battery Wall. The District is working with
the Parks Conservancy on securing environmental clearances for the project. On November 1,
2011, under the authority of the General Manager, the District entered into a Professional
Services Agreement with JRP Historical Consulting, LLC, to prepare Section 106 evaluation of
effects of the project on the Battery Lancaster.
On March 11, 2011, the Board, by Resolution No. 2011-020, authorized execution of a
Memorandum of Understanding with the Golden Gate Bridge, Highway and Transportation
District, National Park Service, and the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy, for the
cooperative improvement of the visitor experience, facilities services, and interpretation at the
Golden Gate Bridge and adjacent national park lands; and, an Agreement with the District and
the Golden Gate National Parks Conservancy for the Golden Gate Bridge 75th Anniversary
visitor experience projects and activities, and merchandising activities. Construction of a 75 th
Anniversary visitor pavilion and reconfiguration of the visitor parking lot east of the Toll Plaza
began in September 2011. Engineering staff performed a structural evaluation and cost estimate