Trinity Metro's board on Monday cleared a set of contracts and a land deal needed before crews can start on the 2.1-mile TEXRail extension into the Near Southside and Medical District, the Fort Worth Report reported Wednesday. The groundbreaking for the new station is set for Oct. 29.
The largest item is a 42-month construction insurance policy costing just under $7.1 million. Fort Worth insurance consultant Higginbotham helped the transit agency set up the owner-controlled program, which construction requires. Because the premium came in a little below the amount staff had requested, the board did not add a contingency, according to the report.
Moving power lines
Two utility agreements will clear the way for the tracks:
- About $1 million to Oncor Transmission to relocate a single electric pole just south of the construction zone at Mistletoe Drive, by the Baylor Scott & White hospital known as All Saints, including road repairs tied to the move.
- As much as $1.6 million to Oncor Distribution to bury overhead power lines.
A small parcel, settled out of court
The board also approved spending about $111,000 for a piece of property at 800 12th Ave. The deal covers roughly 762 square feet the agency will own outright and a temporary grading easement of about 5,966 square feet.
Trinity Metro first offered about $61,000. The owner's attorney asked for more, and the agency agreed to the higher price instead of using eminent domain. Officials estimated that condemnation could have run as high as $25,000 for a special commissioners' hearing and $100,000 if a jury had to decide the case, the Report said.
