TO: HONORABLE MAYOR
AND CITY COUNCIL
FROM: John Ristow
SUBJECT: See Below DATE: March 16, 2026
Approved
Date:
3/18/26
COUNCIL DISTRICT: 6
SUBJECT: Third Amendment to the Consultant Agreement with DKS Associates for the Bascom Avenue Highway-Rail Traffic Signal Project
RECOMMENDATION
Adopt a resolution authorizing the City Manager or her designee to negotiate and execute the third amendment to the Consultant Agreement with DKS Associates for the Bascom Avenue Highway-Rail Traffic Signal Project to:
(a) Increase the maximum compensation by $74,768 from $415,081 to $489,849, for additional construction support; and
(b) Extend the contract term from December 31, 2026, to December 31, 2027.
SUMMARY AND OUTCOME
This amendment will enable DKS Associates to provide additional support during and after the construction of the new traffic signal on Bascom Avenue at the intersection with the Vasona rail corridor.
BACKGROUND
The Vasona rail corridor crosses Bascom Avenue at grade just north of the Bascom Avenue / Southwest Expressway intersection. This crossing has a high volume of trains (132 Santa Clara Valley Transportation Authority light rail trains daily and two Union Pacific Railroad trains weekly) and vehicles crossing the tracks daily, with potential for vehicles to queue from nearby intersections onto the tracks. Installing a traffic signal control at the rail crossing was identified as the best way to mitigate the risk of collisions between trains and vehicles.
COUNCIL AGENDA: 4/7/26
FILE: 26-345
ITEM: 2.8
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
March 16, 2026
Subject: Third Amendment to the Consultant Agreement with DKS Associates for the Bascom Avenue Highway-Rail Traffic Signal Project
In 2022, DKS Associates was selected to prepare the technical analysis, plans, specifications, and estimates for the Bascom Avenue Highway-Rail Crossing Traffic Signal Project (Project) and executed the Standard Consultant Agreement on June 23, 2022.
The First Amendment to the Consultant Agreement was executed on April 25, 2024, to extend the contract term from September 30, 2024, to December 31, 2025.
The Second Amendment to the Consultant Agreement was executed on June 6, 2025, to increase the contract amount to revise the plan drawings to address comments made by the California Public Utilities Commission and to extend the contract term to December 31, 2026.
ANALYSIS
DKS Associates completed the plans, specifications, and estimates for the Project in October 2025, with a remaining task to provide support during construction of the Project. Construction support includes:
• Attend meetings;
• Prepare and stamp plan drawing revisions;
• Respond to requests for information;
• Review material submittals;
• Assist with project close-out activities; and
• Prepare record drawings.
Approval of the third amendment will provide additional funding to support the construction of this unique and complex traffic signal, to develop signal re-timing plans for this and adjacent traffic signals on Bascom Avenue, to assist in the integration of the traffic signal and rail signal in construction, and to fine-tune the traffic signal timing and radar detection zones in construction.
EVALUATION AND FOLLOW-UP
The Request for Bids for construction of the Project was advertised on Biddingo (https://www.biddingo.com/sanjose/bid/1/41205949/41046828/verification) and open for bidding from January 21, 2026, through March 5, 2026. Staff will return to City Council in spring 2026 with a recommendation to award the construction contract.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
March 16, 2026
Subject: Third Amendment to the Consultant Agreement with DKS Associates for the Bascom Avenue Highway-Rail Traffic Signal Project
FISCAL IMPACTS
There are no anticipated ongoing Operating and Maintenance costs associated with this recommendation.
1. AMOUNT OF RECOMMENDATION: $74,768
Original Contract Amount = $339,446
Total Contract Amount = $489,849
2. SOURCE OF FUNDING: Fund 429 – Building and Structure Construction Tax Fund.
BUDGET REFERENCE
The table below identifies the fund and appropriation to fund the contract recommended as part of this memorandum.
Fund
#
Appn.
#
Appropriation
Name
Total
Appropriation
Amount for
Contract
2025-2027
Adopted
Biennial
Capital
Budget Page
Last Budget
Action (Date,
Ord. No.)
429 416E Quiet Zone $9,650,000 $489,849 948 2/10/2026
31308
COORDINATION
This memorandum has been coordinated with the City Attorney’s Office, City Manager’s Budget Office, and the Planning, Building, and Code Enforcement Department.
PUBLIC OUTREACH
This memorandum will be posted on the City Council Agenda website for the April 7, 2026 City Council meeting.
BOARD, COMMISSION, COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATION AND INPUT
No board, commission, or committee recommendation or input is associated with this action.
HONORABLE MAYOR AND CITY COUNCIL
March 16, 2026
Subject: Third Amendment to the Consultant Agreement with DKS Associates for the Bascom Avenue Highway-Rail Traffic Signal Project
CEQA
Categorically Exempt, File No. ER24-313, CEQA Guidelines Section 15301(c), Existing Facilities.
PUBLIC SUBSIDY REPORTING
This item does not include a public subsidy as defined in section 53083 or 53083.1 of the California Government Code or the City’s Open Government Resolution.
/s/
John Ristow
Director, Department of Transportation
For questions, please contact Jessica Zenk, Deputy Director of Planning and Project Delivery Section, Department of Transportation, at (408) 535-3543.