DATE:
October 25, 2022
CATEGORY:
Consent
DEPT.:
Public Works
TITLE: Intersection Traffic Signal System—
Major Replacements and Upgrades
(Rengstorff Avenue and Latham Street),
Projects 18-27 and 22-15—Various
Actions
RECOMMENDATION
1. Approve plans and specifications for Intersection Traffic Signal System —Major Replacements and Upgrades (Rengstorff Avenue and Latham Street), Projects 18 -27 and 22-15, and authorize staff to advertise the project for bids.
2. Authorize the City Manager or designee to award a construction contract to the lowest responsible bidder if the bid is within the project budget.
BACKGROUND
The existing traffic signal at the intersection of Rengstorff Avenue and Latham Street is approximately 35 years old, and all major components are either at the end of their useful life or do not meet current standards. In reviewing the inters ection in preparation for replacing the traffic signal, staff also noted the following issues with the intersection:
• The existing traffic signal operation presents conflicts for pedestrians and bicyclists crossing Rengstorff Avenue with vehicles concurrently making left turns from Latham Street.
• Two of the four existing curb ramps do not meet current Americans with Di sabilities Act (ADA) standards.
Intersection Traffic Signal System—Major Replacements and Upgrades (Rengstorff Avenue and Latham Street), Projects 18-27 and 22-15—Various Actions October 25, 2022
The project location and current intersection configuration are shown in Figure 1.
Figure 1: Project Location Map
N
Intersection Traffic Signal System—Major Replacements and Upgrades (Rengstorff Avenue and Latham Street), Projects 18-27 and 22-15—Various Actions October 25, 2022
ANALYSIS
The project will include the following improvements:
1. Install a new eight-phase traffic signal (protected left turns and pedestrian signal) replacing the existing, aging, six-phase traffic signal and improving safety by eliminating the bicycle, pedestrian, and left-turning vehicular movement conflicts;
2. Restripe westbound and eastbound Latham Street to have dedicated left -turn lanes and shared through and right -turn lane s, which is needed for eight -phase traffic signal operation;
3. Install bicycle lane green markings through the intersection on southbound Rengstorff Avenue crossing Latham Street to guide bicyclists on a direct path through the intersection.
The bicycle crossing raises awareness for both bicyclists and motorists to potential conflict areas within the intersection;
4. Remove and reconstruct two curb ramps to conform to ADA standards; and
5. Install high-visibility crosswalks.
These improvements will help enhance bicycle, pedestrian, and vehicular safety and reduce the need for traffic signal maintenance, as well as delays and congestion caused by deferred maintenance.
Plans and specifications for the project are complete and available for viewing in the Public Works Department. If Council approves the recommended actions and a responsive bid within the project budget is received, construction is anticipated to begin in summer/fall 202 3 and be completed in spring 2024. This construction timeline includes an approximate six-month period after contract award for the contractor to receive materials that require a significant lead time to manufacture, such as the steel traffic signal poles.
Environmental Clearance
This project has been determined to be categorically exempt as a Class 1, 15301( c), minor alterations to existing public facilities in accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines.
Intersection Traffic Signal System—Major Replacements and Upgrades (Rengstorff Avenue and Latham Street), Projects 18-27 and 22-15—Various Actions October 25, 2022
FISCAL IMPACT
Intersection Traffic Signal System —Major Replacements and Upgrades (Rengstorff Avenue and Latham Street), Projects 18-27 and 22-15, are funded with $1,394,000 as follows:
Project No. Amount Funding Source
18-27 $ 394,000 Vehicle License Fee—2010 Measure B
22-15 1,000,000 Construction/Conveyance Tax
TOTAL $1,394,000
The Vehicle License Fee—2010 Measure B funding source is the Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority’s (VTA) Local Road Improvement and Repair Program.
The estimated project cost is as follows:
Construction $ 845,000
Construction Contingency 85,000
Consultant Services 87,500
City Project Management 120,000
Construction Inspection and Testing 120,000
Miscellaneous 51,500
Subtotal $1,309,000
City Administration 85,000
TOTAL PROJECT COST ESTIMATE $1,394,000
The total project funding of $1,394,000 is sufficient to cover the estimated project costs.
On September 14, 2021, Council approved a development project at the northwest corner of this intersection (570 South Rengstorff Avenue). As part of the conditions of approval for this project, the developer, Taylor Morrison, Inc., is required to contribute 25% of the total estimated cost of the traffic signal improvements for this intersection when the building permit is issued . The building permit is in process . After the funds are received , staff will return to Council to appropriate th e developer funding to Project 22 -15 and reallocate a portion of the Construction/Conveyance Tax funds to another signal-related project.
Intersection Traffic Signal System—Major Replacements and Upgrades (Rengstorff Avenue and Latham Street), Projects 18-27 and 22-15—Various Actions October 25, 2022
ALTERNATIVES
1. Do not approve the recommended actions and place the project on hold.
2. Provide other direction.
PUBLIC NOTICING—Agenda posting.
Prepared by:
Vincent Chang
Associate Civil Engineer
Reviewed by:
Lorenzo Lopez
City Traffic Engineer
Edward Arango
Assistant Public Works Director/
City Engineer
Approved by:
Dawn S. Cameron
Public Works Director
Audrey Seymour Ramberg
Assistant City Manager/
Chief Operating Officer
VC/LL/6/CAM
981-10-25-22CR
202167
cc: APWD—Arango, CTE, ACE—Cheng, ACE—Chang, SMA—Goedicke, PA—Li, SMA—Doan, File