December 19, 2023
Public Works
DATE: December 19, 2023
TO: Mayor Martinez and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Daniel Chavarria, PE, Director of Public Works
Robert Armijo PE, Deputy Director of Public Works/City
Engineer
Ken Cheng PE, Senior Civil Engineer
Subject:
Award Engineering and Design Professional Services
Contract for Harbour & Wright Section 130 Rail Crossing Federal Project No. STPLR-7500(0282)
FINANCIAL IMPACT: Section 130 Highway Railroad Grade Crossing Safety Program in the amount of $1,200,000 is programmed for
Preliminary Engineering Phase of the Harbour & Wright
Section 130 Rail Crossing Federal Project No. STPLR-
7500(0282). Account string: 15436431-400733-23022
PREVIOUS COUNCIL
July 22, 2021
STATEMENT OF THE
ISSUE:
City staff is requesting approval to award an engineering and design professional services contract to CSW|ST2
for the Harbour & Wright Section 130 Rail Crossing
Federal Project No. STPLR-7500(0282) project in an
amount not to exceed $255,056, plus up to eight-percent contingency amount of $20,944.
RECOMMENDED ACTION:
ADOPT a resolution authorizing the execution of an
engineering and design professional services contract
with CSW|ST2 for the Harbour & Wright Section 130 Rail
Crossing Federal Project No. STPLR-7500(0282), in an
amount not to exceed $255,056; and AUTHORIZE the
Director of Public Works to approve change orders, if
necessary, and a contingency amount of up to $20,944 -
Public Works Department (Daniel Chavarria 510-620-
5478/ Ken Cheng 510-621-1612).
AGENDA
REPORT
December 19, 2023
DISCUSSION:
Background
The project is located at the intersection of Harbour Way South and Wright Avenue south of Interstate 580. The City has plans for developments south of the crossing on Harbour Way. A new Richmond Ferry Terminal south of the crossing is scheduled to complete construction in two years. The ferry terminal is expected to generate additional traffic at the crossing. The City is proposing a separate two-way bicycle lane on the east side of Harbour Way which would travel through the crossing. The Burlington Northern Santa Fe (BNSF) rail line bisects the intersection at an angle with obstructed views in every quadrant. There are no active warning devices at the crossing and the intersection lacks traffic signals to control traffic. The crossing currently experiences heavy vehicular traffic, as well as heavy bicycle and pedestrian traffic due to being on the Bay Trail. Due to the abundance of underground utilities in the vicinity, it is not possible to install crossing arms and other typical rail crossing safety measures.
Caltrans Highway Railroad Grade Crossing Safety Program (Section 130) has selected the railroad crossing at Harbour Way South and Wright Avenue for safety improvements and requires the City of Richmond to enter into an agreement before funding the Preliminary Engineering phase.
Caltrans will fund and coordinate two construction projects, one performed by the railroad (BNSF) and one by the Local Agency (City of Richmond). This first phase of the project has a budget of $1,200,000. One hundred percent (100%) of preliminary design phase costs are reimbursable, including City staff time. Future project phases will also be funded by Caltrans and are also one hundred percent (100%) reimbursable.
Caltrans has allocated $2,484,000 for all phases of this project.
On July 22, 2021, the Richmond City Council adopted a resolution authorizing the city manager, or designee, to enter into an agreement with Caltrans in the amount of $1,200,000 for the Preliminary Engineering Phase of the Harbour Way South & Wright Railroad Grade Crossing Project funded by Section 130 Highway Railroad Grade Crossing Safety Program and directed City staff to coordinate with California Public Utilities Commission, Caltrans and Metropolitan Transportation Commission to ensure that the design is Quiet Zone eligible.
Project Schedule
Phases Begin End
Preliminary Engineering
Phase
January 2024 June 2024
Environmental Phase March 2024 September
2024
Right of Way Phase March 2024 June 2024
December 19, 2023
Final PS&E Phase April 2024 October 2024
Construction Phase Anticipated January
2025
Anticipated
June 2025
Closeout Anticipated June 1,
2025
Anticipated July
1, 2026
Solution
The City of Richmond project scope consists of traffic signals installation at the intersection which will incorporate installation of bicycle specific traffic signals, pedestrian signals with pushbuttons for crosswalks, train activated “NO RIGHT TURN ON RED” active blank out sign for northbound and southbound Harbour Way South, installation of raised concrete medians on Harbour Way South, construction of 8 new pedestrian curb ramps with detectable warning tiles, installation of detectable warning on all crossing pedestrian approaches, installation of curb and gutter, repaving of the intersection, and installation of signing and striping.
The railroad scope of work will consist of installation of the track circuity with interconnect to the traffic signals. Therefore, this project will require coordination with California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC), BNSF and Caltrans. The goal of the project is to improve vehicular, bicycle and pedestrian transit and increase the safety, comfort and mobility of railroad crossing in the intersection.
Recommendation
City staff is requesting approval to award an engineering and design professional services agreement to CSW|ST2 for the Harbour & Wright Section 130 Rail Crossing Federal Project No. STPLR-7500(0282) project in an amount not to exceed $255,056 plus an additional contingency amount of up to $20,944.
Environmental
The consultant will provide and apply the necessary California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA)/ National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environmental documents for the Notice of Exemption in accordance with Section 15301, Existing Facilities and Section 21084 of the Public Resources Code (PRC).
DOCUMENTS ATTACHED:
Attachment 1 – Resolution
Attachment 2 – Bid Documents
Attachment 3 – Standard Contract
Attachment 4 – Insurance Requirements
Attachment 5 – FHWA 1273 Requirements