Fremont City Council Meeting: 02/07/23 07:00 PM
3300 Capitol Avenue Div/Dept: Public Works
Fremont, CA 94538 Category: Agreements and Contracts
SCHEDULED
Sponsors:
COUNCIL STAFF REPORT (ID # 4777) DOC ID: 4777
Updated: 2/1/2023 1:39 PM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 1
PROTECTED INTERSECTION PROJECT AT FREMONT/GRIMMER/EUGENE - Approval of Plans and Specifications; Award of Construction Contract to Redgwick Construction Co. in the Amount of $2,925,617.48 (Including 10% Contingency) to Implement the Fremont Boulevard Protected Intersection Improvements at Grimmer Boulevard and Eugene Street (PWC9076); Appropriation Actions; and Make Findings of CEQA Exemption Contact Persons:
Name: Jeanne Suyeishi Hans Larsen
Title: Senior Civil Engineer Public Works Director
Div/Dept: Public Works Public Works
Phone: 510-494-4728 510-494-4722
E-Mail: [email protected] [email protected]
Executive Summary: The purpose of this report is to initiate construction of a multimodal safety improvement project at the intersections of Fremont Boulevard/Grimmer Boulevard and Fremont Boulevard/Eugene Street. Funding is partially provided from a Federal grant.
The project is part of an ongoing series of investments that are transforming Fremont Boulevard from a historically auto-oriented thoroughfare into a “complete street” that supports safe and convenient mobility by all travel modes. This project is also part of the Grimmer Greenway corridor which provides a trail and protected bikeway connecting Central Park and the Irvington District along Grimmer Boulevard.
BACKGROUND: In 2021, the City of Fremont received a competitive Federal grant though the Metropolitan Transportation Commission’s (MTC) Safe and Seamless Mobility Quick - Strike Program. The Quick-Strike Program is a one-time, competitive grant program within the One Bay Area Grant (OBAG) program framework, and it emphasizes bicycle/pedestrian safety and mobility, connections to transit, and projects that advance equitable mobility. On May 4, 2021, the City Council adopted a resolution of support for the project.
This project will provide enhanced safety and comfort for people walking, bicycling, and connecting with transit in the Irvington Priority Development Area (PDA) and the Irvington Town Center commercial district. The project also supports multimodal travel along the Fremont Boulevard Transit Priority Corridor and in the Grimmer Boulevard Corridor. This project will reconstruct the existing intersections with protected intersection features and modify the existing traffic signals to accommodate the new intersection designs. Key project elements include the removal of existing right turn slip lanes, new elevated curb returns to encourage slower vehicle turns, raised bike lanes between Grimmer Boulevard and Eugene Street, new ADA curb ramps, enhanced intersection safety lighting, new video detection for bicycles, touchless pedestrian push buttons, high visibility crosswalks, and enhanced bikeway connections to existing bike facilities upstream and downstream of the project intersections.
Another related project known as the Grimmer Greenway is currently under design that includes a new trail and landscaping along the north side of Grimmer Boulevard between Council Staff Report (ID # 4777) Meeting of February 7, 2023 Updated: 2/1/2023 1:39 PM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 2 Paseo Padre Parkway (near Central Park) and Fremont Boulevard. The Grimmer Greenway trail is funded by a State grant and is planned to start construction in 2024.
Various City, County, andregional plans identify the Fremont Boulevard and Grimmer Boulevard corridors as priorities for developing high quality facilities for wal king, bicycling, and transit. These plans include the Fremont Bicycle Master Plan; the Alameda County Transportation Plan; the East 14th/Mission Boulevard/Fremont Boulevard Multimodal Corridor Plan; and the Alameda County Priority Bikeway Network; and the Regional Active Transportation Plan adopted by the Metropolitan Transportation Commission.
Construction is anticipated to begin in Spring 2023 with completion scheduled by December 2023.
DISCUSSION/ANALYSIS: Bids for this project were opened on December 6, 2022. The bidders with their respective bid amounts are shown below. The Engineer’s Estimate is $3,200,000.
Bid Results:
Bidder Bid Amount
1. Redgwick Construction Co. $2,659,652.25
2. Sposeto Engineering Inc. $2,894,651.50
3. Ray’s Electric $3,094,506.68
4. O’Grady Paving, Inc. $3,314,753.95
The low bidder for this project, Redgwick Construction Co., submitted a responsive bid and all documents are in order. The contractor is a responsible bidder experienced in this type of work and has satisfactorily completed contracts of this nature with the City and other nearby local agencies. Pursuant to the requirements of Section 21080.25 of the Public Resources Code, staff certifies that the entire project will be completed with a skilled and trained workforce and that contractor Redgwick Construction Co. shall be required to provide sufficient and competent administration, staff, and a skilled and trained workforce necessary to perform and timely complete the work in accordance with the contract documents.
Based on lessons learned from earlier bids for similar projects, staff updated the Engineer’s Estimate to account for the higher costs based on 1) increased costs of current market for construction materials, fuel and trucking, 2) escalating construction costs for traffic signal work, and 3) limited space for contractor to work, store and stage construction materials and equipment in the project area. While the low bid was lower in cost than the updated Engineer’s Estimate, the cost increases were not budgeted in the original estimate submitted for grant funding.
Project Costs and Funding:
Estimated Project Costs
Construction Cost (Lowest Responsible Bid) 2,659,652
Construction Inspection, Surveying and Administration 438,843 Project Contingency (10%) 265,965
Total Estimated Project Costs $3,364,460
Council Staff Report (ID # 4777) Meeting of February 7, 2023 Updated: 2/1/2023 1:39 PM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 3 Source of Funding:
Currently Budgeted
PWC9076, Fund 522 – Federal Funds $1,415,000
Proposed Additional Funding
PWC7953, Fund 514 – ACTC VRF Funds 100,000
PWC7953, Fund 515 – ACTC Measure BB Bike/Ped Funds 262,678 PWC7953, Fund 531 – Traffic Impact Fees 67,322
PWC8874, Fund 520 – ACTC Measure BB Bike/Ped Funds 210,000 PWC8944, Fund 519 – ACTC Measure B 2012 Bike/Ped Funds 350,000 PWC9050, Fund 515 – ACTC Measure BB Local Streets 25,112 PWC9050, Fund 518 – Measure B 2012 Local Streets 369,000 PWC9050, Fund 520 – Measure BB Bike/Ped Funds 69,150
Unallocated SB1 Gas Tax, Fund 134 500,000
Total Funding Available $3,368,262
FISCAL IMPACT: Additional funding is needed to construct the project in order to adjust for the recent inflationary increase in construction costs. The increased sources of funding are primarily from County Measure B and BB sales tax funds dedicated to improving bicycle and pedestrian facilities. These funds are administered by the Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC). It is noted that some ACTC funding is being transferred out of the Fremont Boulevard/Country Drive Intersection Improvement Project (PWC9050), however these funds are expected to be backfilled by a new ACTC funding allocation in Spring 2023. In addition, $500,000 is proposed from unallocated State gas tax revenues that are associated with recently increased gas prices.
Staff recommends reallocation of funds as proposed above, to allow construction to move forward for this project, thereby meeting the grant deadline for project delivery. With the recommended additional reallocation of funds to the project, there will be sufficient funds available for the estimated project cost.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW: Based on the whole records and each as a separate and independent basis for CEQA compliance, the project is statutorily exempt from CEQA review under Section 21080.25 of the Public Resources Code, as amended, because the project is a sustainable transportation project that implements pedestrian and bicycle facilities (i.e., construction of protected intersection corners, elevated curb returns, raised pedestrian/bicycle corners and green buffered bike lanes), improves pedestrian and bicycle safety, and improves access for current and potential transit riders. The project is located within public right of way and does not add new infrastructure that increases automobile capacity or require demolition of affordable housing. Furthermore, the City certifies the project will be completed by a skilled and trained workforce pursuant to enforceable contract provisions requiring contractors and subcontractors at every tier to use skilled labor. As a separate and independent basis, the project is exempt under CEQA Guideline Section 15301, Class 1(c), 15301 for "Existing Facilities" in that it involves operation, repair, maintenance or minor alteration of existing structures and facilities involving negligible or no expansion of existing or former use. None of the exceptions to the categorical exemptions outlined in CEQA Guidelines section 15300.2 applies to the project.
Council Staff Report (ID # 4777) Meeting of February 7, 2023 Updated: 2/1/2023 1:39 PM by Alberto Quintanilla Page 4 In addition, review under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) was also performed and A Categorical Exclusion (CE) with technical studies was prepared. On November 29, 2021, the State determined that the project does not individually or cumulatively have a significant impact on the environment as defined by the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) and is excluded from the requirements to prepare an Environmental Assessment or Environmental Impact Statement. On May 2, 2022, the City validated the NEPA document as current and complete.
ATTACHMENTS: None.
RECOMMENDATION: Approval of the following actions related to the Fremont Boulevard Protected Intersection Improvements at Grimmer Boulevard and Eugene Street (PWC9076):
1. Find that this project is exempt from California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) review pursuant to Section 21080.25 of the California Public Resources Code as a sustainable transportation project that implements pedestrian and bicycle facilities and improves multimodal safety and access for current and potential transit riders and is further exempt pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 as the repair, maintenance or minor alteration of existing facilities involving no or negligible expansion of use beyond that presently existing.
2. Approve the plans and specifications for the project.
3. Accept the bid and award the construction contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder, Redgwick Construction Co. in the amount of $2,659,652.25 and allocate a 10% construction contingency in the amount of $265,965.23 for a total construction contract amount of $2,925,617.48 and authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the contract.
4. Appropriate the federal grant funds in the amount of $1,415,000 to PWC9076-522.
5. Reallocate $100,000 from PWC7953-514 and appropriate it to PWC9076-514.
6. Reallocate $262,678 from PWC7953-515 and appropriate it to PWC9076-515.
7. Reallocate $67,322 from PWC7953-531 and appropriate it to PWC9076-531.
8. Reallocate $210,000 from PWC8874-520 and appropriate it to PWC9076-520.
9. Reallocate $350,000 from PWC8944-519 and appropriate it to PWC9076-519.
10. Reallocate $25,112 from PWC9050-515 and appropriate it to PWC9076-515.
11. Reallocate $369,000 from PWC9050-518 and appropriate it to PWC9076-518.
12. Reallocate $69,150 from PWC9050-520 and appropriate it to PWC9076-520.
13. Appropriate $500,000 of unallocated SB1 Gas Tax fund balance (Fund 134) to PWC9076-134.