Orwood Road (Road #8963) is a local road approximately 2.7 miles long located in the Discovery Bay area. The roadway runs west to east from Bixler Road to the Delta. Approximately 2.5 miles east of Bixler Road the roadway crosses the East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) Mokelumne Aqueduct. The Mokelumne Aqueduct consists of 3 pipelines elevated above the ground. The roadway at this location (overcrossing) crosses up and over the pipelines on imported fill. The overcrossing which was constructed by EBMUD does not meet current Contra Costa County (County) standards. It consists of narrow travel lanes, sharp curves, steep grades, and adverse super elevation. The County roadway terminates approximately 1,000 feet east of the overcrossing and approximately 1,000 feet west of Cruiser Haven Marina.
The County has historically provided maintenance of the overcrossing and adjacent roadway east of the overcrossing. In 2007, the County entered into a Joint Exercise of Powers Agreement (JEPA) with East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) to study improvements at the overcrossing along Orwood Road. In accordance with the JEPA, the County sent EBMUD a Final Study Report in 2008 presenting alternative improvements for the overcrossing.
Upon further review of the right-of-way along the roadway, County survey staff recently verified that EBMUD owns the overcrossing. In 2011, the County notified EBMUD that maintenance would no longer be provided for the overcrossing, described in the Grant Deed recorded December 6, 1951 in Book 1861 of Official Records, at Page 515. The County has offered to accept a road easement from EBMUD for the overcrossing, if EBMUD were willing to bring the overcrossing up to current County standards or fund one of the alternatives identified in the Final Study Report. EBMUD has indicated that they do not have the financial capacity to make improvements to the overcrossing and they intend to maintain the overcrossing in its current state.
The existing County easement east of the overcrossing, approximately 1,000 feet long, is not contiguous to the rest of the County roadway. The County intends to vacate this easement and end all road maintenance activity east of the overcrossing.
On October 16, 2012, a Public Hearing for the vacation of a portion of Orwood Road was held at the Board of Supervisors; however, no action was taken on the item. Staff was directed to obtain additional information. Since then, traffic counts have been collected at the site and project maps have been revised for a clearer depiction of the proposed portion of Orwood Road recommended for vacation. Public Works staff has attempted to contact all adjacent property owners and notify them of the proposed vacation of a portion of Orwood Road. The County vacating this portion of Orwood Road will have no effect on the current ownership of the property or access to adjacent properties. The County intends to continue maintenance of Orwood Road west of the overcrossing.
The County would continue to maintain an area unnecessary for public use.