March 3, 2026
TO: City Council
REQUESTED BY: Stuart McKibbin, City Engineer
APPROVED BY: Robert A. Johnson, City Manager
SUBJECT: Esplanade Avenue Widening Phase 1 Warren Road to Sanderson Avenue (CIP# 06-145)
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends the City Council take the following actions:
1. Approve the plans and specifications for the Esplanade Avenue Widening Phase 1 Warren Road to Sanderson Avenue (CIP# 06-145);
2. Award the construction contract to the lowest responsible bidder submitting a responsive bid, Granite Construction Company, for the sum of $8,083,808;
3. Allocate 10% ($808,381) of total bid for construction contingencies;
4. Allocate 8.66% ($700,000) of total bid for construction administration, inspection, and testing; and
5. Authorize the City Manager to execute the construction contract.
BACKGROUND:
The Esplanade Avenue Widening Phase 1 Warren Road to Sanderson Avenue (CIP# 06-145) Project (hereafter referred to as “the Project”) has been in the planning and design phase since 2018. The Project’s overall scope includes widening Esplanade Avenue from two lanes to four lanes (two lanes in each direction), installation of traffic signals at the intersection of Esplanade Avenue and Cawston Avenue, and the intersection of Esplanade Avenue and Warren Road, with sidewalk and drainage facility along the north side of Esplanade Avenue.
As the Project is within the jurisdiction of Riverside County, the City of Hemet, and the City of San Jacinto, and impacts major facilities operated by Eastern Municipal Water District (“EMWD”), and Municipal Water District (“MWD”), detailed coordination between all 5 agencies was required. For example, EMWD regional water plan for the underlying aquifer required the installation of a 5-foot diameter raw water conveyance pipe in Esplanade. The City and EMWD worked together to eliminate design conflicts and agree on interim improvements, coordinate right of way acquisition and construction schedules, minimize public inconvenience, relocate of minor facilities, and execute a cost share agreement. For another example, the LGI Homes development on the north side of Esplanade Ave is under construction now. LGI cooperated with the City for acquisition of drainage easements, providing monitoring well relocation sites, and coordinating on future Anza Trail intersection improvements, including traffic signals, streetlights, and sidewalks.
The City of San Jacinto initiated an environmental study for the Project in 2018, which was completed by Environmental Science Associates (“ESA”) in December 2019, and the City Council adopted and approved it on March 17, 2020. Permits from the Santa Ana Regional Water Quality Control Board and California Department of Fish and Wildlife have been obtained, and a mitigation credit agreement executed.
The Project required multiple easement and right-of-way purchases, which were completed and recorded through the County of Riverside from 2019 to 2022.
The City of San Jacinto entered into three separate funding reimbursement agreements with Western Riverside Council of Governments (“WRCOG”). September 10, 2018, in which WRCOG agreed to reimburse the City of San Jacinto $1,170,025 for the planning and engineering. On October 10, 2018, WRCOG agreed to reimburse the City of San Jacinto $1,000,000 for the right-of-way. On February 21, 2023, WRCOG agreed to reimburse the City of San Jacinto $5,630,000 for the construction. The balance of TUMF funds between the three agreements mentioned is $6,249,367.
The City of San Jacinto also entered into a funding reimbursement agreement with Riverside County Transportation Commission (“RCTC”) on October 9, 2023, in which RCTC agreed to reimburse the City of San Jacinto for $3,960,000 in MARA funds for the construction of the Project.
The Project scope includes relocations of certain EMWD facilities to which EMWD will be responsible for reimbursing the City of San Jacinto a total of $271,650. The City Council approved a funding reimbursement agreement with EMWD on May 17, 2022. The funding reimbursement agreement will be revised to reflect the bid results.
As some of the Project’s improvements will be in the City of Hemet’s jurisdiction, the City of Hemet will be responsible for reimbursing the City of San Jacinto a total of $488.921. A cost share agreement with the City of Hemet is being revised to reflect the bid results.
The City of Hemet is planning to construct sidewalks and drainage improvements in the future that will connect to the improvements constructed for the scope of the Project.
DISCUSSION:
A Notice Inviting Bids for the Project was advertised online at Planet Bids on December 16, 2025, and in the Press-Enterprise on December 22, 2025. On February 19, 2025, six (6) bids were received, ranging from $8,083,808.00 to $9,070,045.65. Granite Construction Company submitted the lowest responsible and responsive bid for the sum of $8,083,808.
Granite Construction Company has provided construction services in 2019 for the City of San Jacinto’s project titled “San Jacinto Valley Connect Active Transportation Program (ATP) Cycle 2 Project (SJ-394).” Engineering is satisfied with the Granite Construction Company’s work performed on this project.
Granite Construction Company will have 165 working days to complete the work requirements of this project once construction begins.
City staff recommends the City Council award the construction contract for the sum of $8,083,808 to Granite Construction Company as the lowest responsible bidder submitting a responsive bid.
The Project may potentially require periodic full street closure to allow an efficient construction schedule and to ensure the safety of the public during construction. All street closures will be brought back to City Council for approval.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Considering the funding that will be reimbursed by RCTC, WRCOG, EMWD, and the City of Hemet, it is anticipated that approval of the Project will not impact the General Fund.
Project Funding
TUMF $ 6,249,367
MARA $ 3,960,000
Measure “A” $ 200,000
City of Hemet $ 488,921
EMWD Reimbursement $ 271,650
Grand Total: $ 11,169.938
Project Expenditures
Construction Contract $ 8,083,808
Design Cost to Date $ 450,000
Contingencies $ 808,381
Admin, Inspection, Testing $ 700,000
Grand Total: $ 10,042,189
ATTACHMENTS:
Bid Plan Set - Esplanade - Addendum 5
Bid Result List
Contract Docs and Specifications - SJ-222