REPORT TO CITY COUNCIL
To:Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From:Jason Simpson, City Manager
Prepared by:Remon Habib, City Engineer
Date:May 13, 2025
Subject:Professional Services Agreement with HDR Engineering, Inc. to Provide Project Approval & Environmental Document (PA&ED) for the Interstate 15 Nichols Road Interchange Improvement Project
Recommendation
Approve and authorize the City Manager to execute a Professional Services Agreement with HDR Engineering, Inc. for Project Approval & Environmental Document (PA&ED) for the Interstate 15 Nichols Road Interchange Improvement Project in the amount of $4,563,855 in such final form as approved by the City Attorney and authorize the City Manager to execute change orders not to exceed a 10% contingency for unanticipated costs.
Background
The Interstate 15 Nichols Road Interchange (Interchange) is located between the Lake Street and Central Avenue (State Route 74) interchanges in Lake Elsinore. The Interchange is currently a diamond configuration that is serving and will serve as a major access point for future and existing industrial and residential development at properties west of Interstate 15 and residential and commercial properties east of Interstate 15. The Interchange is within very close proximity to local intersections and driveways, where future peak hour volumes are anticipated to cause congestion and delays at these locations in addition to the freeway ramp intersections.
The Project Study Report-Project Development Support (PSR-PDS) phase was initiated in 2023 and the PSR was approved in December 2024. The Professional Services Agreement will authorize HDR Engineering, Inc. (HDR) to start the PA&ED phase and the preparation of the preliminary engineering and environmental services for the development of a Project Report and Environmental Document.
I-15 Nichols Road IC
Discussion
The project will study up to three (3) build alternatives and one (1) no build alternative. PA&ED services include the completion of the Geometric Approval Drawings, Design Standard Decision Document, Final Project Report and Final Environmental Document Approval (NEPA and CEQA document). Additional scope of services includes Project Management, preparation and approval of the Traffic Operations Analysis Report and Hydraulics/Hydrology Studies, survey and mapping, geotechnical studies, stakeholder and community outreach, noise, air and water quality studies, and environmental technical studies.
Fiscal Impact
The Professional Services Agreement will result in a cost of $4,563,855 plus an additional 10% in contingency not to exceed amount of $5,020,241. Funding has been secured through the WRCOG’s TUMF Program.
Attachments
Attachment 1 - Agreement
Exhibit A - Proposal
Attachment 2 - Project Map
Engineering