Administrative
Report
H.6., File # 25-0136 Meeting Date: 2/18/2025
To: MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
From: ANDREW WINJE, PUBLIC WORKS DIRECTOR
TITLE
APPROVE AN AGREEMENT FOR TRAFFIC ENGINEERING SERVICES WITH BKF ENGINEERS
TO ASSIST WITH DESIGN OF THE TRAFFIC SIGNAL COMMUNICATION AND NETWORK SYSTEM - PHASE 2 PROJECT
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The Traffic Signal Communication and Network System - Phase 2 Project is aimed to update the operation of the City’s traffic signal infrastructure to accommodate current and future needs. In September 2024, the City issued a Request for Proposal (RFP) to select a firm to perform traffic engineering services for the Project.
BKF Engineers (BKF) provided the proposal with the best combination of cost, experience, and expertise. If approved, BKF will perform traffic and civil engineering services for a total of 20 intersections on Prospect Avenue and Catalina Avenue. Funding for the design scope included in the Agreement is available in the project budget, which is funded completely by Regional Measure M.
BACKGROUND
Measure M funding has been secured by the City to continue its systematic improvement of the City’s traffic signal and control systems along with intersection operations. At a number of intersections, the City has had difficulty efficiently monitoring traffic conditions and managing traffic operations and flow.
Signal and intersection upgrades will allow for better monitoring at these locations and are needed to accommodate future technologies that rely on network communications equipment and automated detection. To address these needs, the Project will modernize the traffic signal infrastructure and network/communications equipment along two corridors, Prospect Avenue and Catalina Avenue, which contain some of the most dated traffic control infrastructure in the City. Within the two corridors, 20 intersections have been targeted for improvements: 12 intersections on Prospect Avenue and 8 intersections on Catalina Avenue.
An RFP was issued on September 11, 2024 to solicit proposals from qualified firms to perform traffic engineering services, and the proposals received were evaluated by City staff. BKF was deemed to possess the ideal expertise and labor bandwidth for the Project and provided a competitive price structure. City staff engaged BKF in discussions to determine the optimal plan to enhance the aforementioned corridors and identified a strategy that would address Prospect Avenue and Catalina Avenue on independent tracks and consider/study the most efficient long term traffic flow solutions.
As part of the scope, BKF will prepare construction documents to upgrade traffic signal infrastructure
H.6., File # 25-0136 Meeting Date: 2/18/2025
As part of the scope, BKF will prepare construction documents to upgrade traffic signal infrastructure on Prospect Avenue. They will also assess and resolve issues with curb ramps, sidewalks, signage, and striping at the Project intersections. For Catalina Avenue, as a first step, BKF would explore the implementation of single-lane roundabouts in lieu of traffic signals. Introduction of roundabouts, if approved, could provide a more passive traffic control that would reduce the City’s maintenance burden, improve aesthetics, improve safety for all modalities, and provide superior traffic flow in terms of wait times and reduced interruption at intersections.
Staff has found that residents have reacted negatively to large diameter signal poles and the long wait times that are caused by building traffic signals to current standards along wide streets like Catalina. Existing traffic volumes may be low enough to warrant more innovative, climate-resilient, and cost-effective solutions. BKF will conduct an in-depth study on the feasibility of roundabouts and prepare a preliminary concept plan which will be presented to Council for consideration, with advancement to construction design contingent upon community and Council support. It will also be possible to maintain conventional intersection signals and operations, if that is preferred.
The total not-to-exceed amount of the agreement with BKF is $1,838,113 for the term of February 18, 2025 through December 27, 2027. The construction documents for Prospect Avenue are anticipated to be complete in early 2026. The concept plan and exhibits illustrating the possible installation of roundabouts on Catalina Avenue are anticipated to be presented to City Council for review and follow up direction in the summer of 2026.
COORDINATION
The scope of work identified in the Agreement has been coordinated with the Public Works Department. The Agreement has been approved as to form by the City Attorney’s Office.
FISCAL IMPACT
The City was awarded $2,130,000 in Regional Measure M funding for design of this Project. The total not-to-exceed amount of the Agreement is $1,838,113 and is within the Project budget.
Funding Expenditures
Traffic Signal Communication $1,838,113 BKF Agreement $1,838,113 and Network System - Phase 2,
Job No. 41490
Total $1,838,113 Total $1,838,113
APPROVED BY:
Mike Witzansky, City Manager
ATTACHMENTS
· Agmt - BKF Engineers
· Insurance - BKF Engineers
· Project Map