Cotati City Council
Agenda Staff Report
Item type: CONSENT CALENDAR (ACTION)
To: City Council
Subject: Award of the Construction Contract for the Old Redwood Highway Traffic Flow Improvements Project
Date: March 22, 2022
Written by: Craig Scott, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Recommendation
It is recommended the City Council adopt a resolution awarding the Old Redwood Highway Traffic Flow Improvements Project Construction Contract to DC Electric Group, Inc. and authorizing the City Manager to execute the Construction Contract and associated construction support agreements for the Project, including any needed Change Orders or amendments to those contracts up to the approved project budget.
Background
The City imposes a Traffic Impact Fee on all new development for future customers to contribute to construction of City-wide street capacity projects. The Traffic Impact Fee has been determined by a Traffic Impact Fee Study (TIF Study) completed in 2015 and incorporates roadway improvements identified in the 2015 General Plan Update to accommodate future growth as the City reaches buildout. Over time, as development occurs, the City uses the impacts fees to construct the most pressing roadway improvements identified in the TIF Study. Development has increased traffic flow on Old Redwood Highway from E. Cotati Avenue to Highway 116. The traffic signals and signalized timing improvements identified in the TIF Study are priorities to address this growth and ensure roadways are performing well.
Analysis/Discussion
The Old Redwood Highway Traffic Flow Improvements Project (Project) consists of the installation of new traffic controllers at the intersections along Old Redwood Highway from Commerce Boulevard to E. Cotati Avenue, programming the controllers to improve traffic flow, installation of dilemma detection devices at these intersections as provided for in the Local Road Safety Plan, and striping changes for drivers heading north on Old Redwood Highway making a left onto Highway 116. The controllers communicate with one another and use traffic information to optimize flow. The dilemma detection devices identify drivers that are speeding ahead of a changing light and will hold off the light change until the intersection has cleared, and the striping changes allow for both left turn lanes to go through onto West bound Highway 116 (instead of the current configuration of having the left lane go into the freeway onramp lane only. Additionally, street stamps on East bound Highway 116 traffic making a left onto Old Redwood Highway to direct drivers to Hwy 101, Rohnert Park, or Gravenstein Way.
Design was completed and the Old Redwood Highway Traffic Flow Improvements Project (Project) advertised for bidding on February 11, 2022. On May 16, 2022, the City received and accepted four bid proposals for construction of the Project. The bids ranged from $236,298.95 to $428,000 with the low bidder being DC Electric Group, Inc., whose bid amount is approximately 53 percent below the engineer’s estimate. City staff has reviewed the bid from the low bidder and finds it to be responsive.
Upon project award, the contractor has 10 business days to submit the signed contract documents and purchasing the traffic control equipment would occur in June with construction to proceed once the equipment has been delivered. A total of 30 working days is provided for construction and, therefore, project completion is expected in July.
Construction of the Project also requires Construction Management and Engineering Services during construction. A proposal was requested of BKF Engineers and W-Trans and one proposal from BKF Engineers was received. The proposal was reviewed by City Staff and was determined to be fair and reasonable and is recommended for approval.
Financial Considerations
The Old Redwood Highway Traffic Flow Improvements Project is in the adopted FY21/22 City Budget for an amount of $611,532. The original budget had accounted for the installation of a new traffic signal at William/George and Old Redwood Highway. However, estimated costs for the traffic signal were much higher than anticipated and City Staff determined it will await further buildup in its traffic impact fee account and potential traffic mitigation funds from Rohnert Park before constructing the traffic signal.
Unencumbered funds after design total $464,161. The total amount for the construction contract and CM and Engineering services contract is below this amount and provides adequate funds for contingency. Therefore, no budget adjustments are being requested.
Environmental Issues
The Project is subject to the requirements of the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA).
The Project is categorically exempt under CEQA Section 15301 Existing Facilities, part (c) and Section 15303 because the Project is a minor alteration of a public street that involves negligible or no expansion of an existing use.
Attachments:
191400_ORH Traffic Flow Imp_Drawings (PDF)