DATE:
June 17, 2025
TO:
Mayor and Council Members
Chair and Board Members, Hesperia Water District
FROM:
Rachel Molina, City Manager
BY:
Cassandra Sanchez, Director of Public Works/City Engineer Kevin Sin, Deputy City Engineer
Tina Souza, Senior Project Manager
SUBJECT:
Award Construction Contract for the Ranchero Road Aqueduct Crossing of the Ranchero Road Corridor Widening Project, C.O. No. 7139
RECOMMENDED ACTION
It is recommended that the City Council and Board of Directors of the Hesperia Water District 1) Award a construction contract for the Ranchero Road Aqueduct Crossing of the Ranchero Road Corridor Widening Project (C.O. No. 7139) to the lowest responsive/responsible bidder, Beador Construction Company, Inc. for the base bid amount of $18,824,700; 2) Approve a 10% contingency in the amount of $1,882,470 for a total not-to-exceed contract amount of $20,707,170; 3) Approve the design of the project represented by the plans and Contract Documents and Specifications; and 4) Authorize the City Manager or designee to execute the contract and any documents related thereto.
BACKGROUND
The Ranchero Corridor Project consists of several improvements in three phases: I) the undercrossing at the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railway Company (BNSF) railroad tracks (at the eastern terminus of the corridor project boundary) which was completed in June 2013; II) the interchange at Interstate 15 (I-15) (at the western terminus of the corridor project boundary) which was completed in March 2015; and III) improvements to widen the five-mile roadway segment of Ranchero Road from two lanes to five lanes between these two structures for increased vehicular capacity, the Ranchero Road Corridor Widening Project (Project).
Work on the Project began in 2007 with initial surveys followed by the start of design in 2008, which was ultimately met with suspension of the Project on various occasions due to lack of funding. Most notably, the loss of Redevelopment Agency funds significantly delayed Project progress. The project was able to resume, and Design of the Project was completed in 2021.
Utility relocations began in December 2021 and construction of the roadway portion of the Project began in April 2022 in partnership with San Bernardino County (SBC), apart from the aqueduct crossing, which is a City only portion of Phase III.
In addition, San Bernardino County Transportation Authority (SBCTA) is a funding partner for the improvements. The City Council approved a funding agreement June 20, 2017, along with subsequent amendments for the utilization of Measure I, Major Local Highway Program (MLHP) funds for the Project.
The widening of the roadway portion is complete; however, construction of the bridge over the California Department of Water Resources (DWR) aqueduct and adjacent roadway approaches remain to be constructed.
ISSUES/ANALYSIS
There are multiple components and construction plan sets for the Project which collectively make up one project, referred to as the Ranchero Road Corridor Widening Project, which is how the project was originally bid. The construction phase of the project was awarded to Sully-Miller Contracting Co., Inc. (SMCC) in October 2021 with construction commencing in April 2022. SMCC has completed roadway improvements along the corridor with the exception of roadway approaches related to the new aqueduct bridge from South Kern Avenue to just east of Via Antiqua Street as well as the bridge.
In the best interest of the City and due to unanticipated delays and other unforeseen circumstances beyond the City’s control, the City made the difficult yet necessary decision to suspend demolition and construction of the crossing (bridge) over the Department of Water Resources (DWR) aqueduct in February 2025. This allowed for the evaluation of the best course of action while considering alternative strategies and working through various challenges related to moving forward with the project as well as oversight by DWR. After reaching an improved understanding with DWR regarding the needs of the aqueduct and carefully reviewing all of the alternatives, it was determined to move forward with rebidding the project.
Formal solicitation for the construction of the aqueduct crossing was conducted and over 6,000 contractors were notified about the project through Public Purchase, the City’s online bidding platform. This includes potential prime contractors and subcontractors. Bids were received, opened, and publicly read on April 23, 2025.
The City received four bids, which were utilized to determine the lowest responsible/ responsive bidder:
Beador Construction Company, Inc. $18,824,700.00
Security Paving Company, Inc. $20,134,248.88
Ames Construction, Inc. $21,861,640.90
Steve P. Rados, Inc. $24,603,631.10
After thorough review of the submitted bids and evaluation of several references, staff has determined that Beador Construction Company, Inc. (Beador) is the lowest responsive/ responsible bidder. Founded in 1996, Beador has the expertise and specializes in bridge infrastructure related work. Beador has performed work for numerous, counties, cities, and Caltrans. Because of their extensive experience with bridge projects, combined with their industry reputation as demonstrated in the reference evaluations, staff believes Beador can meet the City’s needs and deliver the Ranchero Road Aqueduct Crossing Project.
CITY GOAL SUPPORTED BY THIS ITEM
Capital Improvement – Continually evaluate capital improvement priorities.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funding has been included in the Fiscal Year 2025-26 Capital Improvement Program (CIP) Budget, under Construction Order Number 7139, in the amount of $9,331,531 for the Ranchero Road Aqueduct Crossing, of the Ranchero Road Corridor Widening Project. Remaining Funding will be allocated in the Fiscal Year 2026-27 CIP Budget as needed to complete the project.
ALTERNATIVE(S)
Do not award a construction contract and restore the bridge project site to original conditions.
Provide alternative direction to staff.
ATTACHMENT(S)
None.
City of Hesperia STAFF REPORT City of Hesperia STAFF REPORT City of Hesperia
STAFF REPORT
City of Hesperia
STAFF REPORT
Staff Report to the Mayor and Council Members and Board of Directors Award Construction Contract for the Ranchero Road Aqueduct Crossing of the Ranchero Road Corridor Widening Project, C.O. No. 7139 June 17, 2025