To: Board of County Commissioners
Through: Bryan Weimer, Director, Public Works and Development
Prepared By:
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Sue Liu, P.E. Engineer III, Engineering Services Division; Joseph Boateng, P.E. Engineer III, Engineering Services Division; Emily Gonzalez, P.E., Engineer II, Engineering Services Division end
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Presenter: Ceila Rethamel, PE, Engineering Service Division Manager
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Subject:
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2:15 PM *Infrastructure Design and Construction Standards 2024 Update
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Purpose and Request:
recommended action
Public Works and Development staff would like to present the 2024 Infrastructure Design and Construction Standards (IDCS) to the Board of County Commissioners (BOCC). The IDCS contains engineering design and technical criteria required for the design and construction of public improvements within unincorporated Arapahoe County. The modifications reflect current county processes, procedures, and recent technological advances while correcting language and references within the IDCS.
The purpose of this Study Session presentation is to present highlights of the changes made to the IDCS and provide a summary of comments received on the draft IDCS. Staff is requesting authorization to finalize the IDCS for BOCC adoption on February 25, 2025.
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Background and Discussion: The last adopted version of the Infrastructure Design and Construction Standards (IDCS) took place in 2019 with minor modifications. This update proposes to complete a comprehensive review the IDCS. The primary focus was to update the standards to:
• Reflect current county processes, procedures, and recent technological advances
• Correct ambiguous, inconsistent, and conflicting language
• Remove or replace outdated or incorrect information and reference
As the County’s primary design standard, this document is frequently used by developers, engineers, professional services providers, utility companies, County Staff, and other stakeholders to determine engineering and construction requirements that apply to these improvements.
A summary of the highlighted changes include:
• Reorganized chapters to improve the flow of information.
• Updated the Roadway Classification nomenclature and right-of-way requirements to align with the 2040 Transportation Master Plan.
• Updated and revise roadway design requirements to meet latest design standards and references to the most current sources.
• Addition of flashfill as acceptable backfill material.
• Engineer’s Cost Estimate need to be prepared by a licensed Engineer in Colorado.
• Checklists for construction documents were added in Appendix F.
• Reformatted the document for ease of use.
• Addition of Traffic Signal Design Standard and Specifications appendix.
• Addition of Pavement Marking Standard Details appendix.
Internal and external stakeholders were given the opportunity to comment. Internal stakeholder comments were incorporated prior to the external stakeholder review which occurred between July 26 and August 26, 2024. Notices were emailed to external stakeholders and a notice was posted on the County’s website. Comments from six individuals were received and a summary of those comments are provided below.
• Majority of the comments indicated that the IDCS was too long and needed to be easy to read for any consumer.
• Multimodal transportation (i.e. bicycle and pedestrian) was not considered and existing criteria was automobile-centric.
• Limit building construction as there is not enough water supply.
• Need to build strategic oil reserves back to maximum.
Fiscal Impact: The fiscal impact to adopt and follow the IDCS is minimal as current staff time and resources will be used.
Alternatives: The IDCS may be modified to reflect public, stakeholder or BOCC comments.
Alignment with Strategic Plan:
☐Be fiscally sustainable
☒Provide essential and mandated service
☒Be community focused
Staff Recommendation: Staff recommends finalization of the IDCS for BOCC adoption on February 25, 2025.
Concurrence: The Arapahoe County Attorney’s Office has reviewed this report.