FOR THE COUNCIL MEETING OF AUGUST 15, 2023
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
TO: City Council
FROM: City Manager
Prepared by: Director of Public Works
SUBJECT: US 101/Betteravia Road Interchange - Project Study Report
Description:
The City Council will consider approving an agreement for the US 101/Betteravia Road Interchange Project Study Report.
Environmental Notice: The activity is not a “Project” as defined under Section 15378 of the California Environmental Quality Act State Guidelines; therefore, pursuant to State Guidelines Section 15060(c)(3) no environmental review is required.
RECOMMENDATION:
Adopt a Resolution approving a Professional Services Agreement with the Wallace Group to prepare a Project Study Report for the US 101/Betteravia Road Interchange.
BACKGROUND:
The US 101/Betteravia Road Interchange is identified as a capital improvement project in the City’s Growth Mitigation Program. The subject interchange is also identified in the Santa Barbara County Associati on of Governments ( SBCAG) Measure A Program of Projects. In addition, it is also identified in the City’s FY 22-24 Capital Budget.
The Betteravia Road Interchange has the highest volume of traffic, specifically on Betteravia Road, west of the freeway. In accordance with the SBCAG project description, “The purpose of the project is to improve the operations at the Highway 101/Betteravia Road Interchange by making improvements to the northbound ramps in the southeast quadrant of the interchange”. Stemmed by the recent growth of commercial development at and near Enos Ranch, the need for a Project Study Report (PSR) at the subject interchange was deemed necessary.
On September 13, 2022, the Engineering Division prepared an advertisement to transportation engineering consultants for the initiation of a PSR for the US 101/Betteravia Road Interchange.
On October 22, 2022, two consulting firms submitted proposals. Th ese proposals were received and evaluated based on the following qualifications: experience with Caltrans District 5, project understanding, schedule, references, and accessibility of the firm. The 2 two consultants were reviewed internally by Engineering staff. The proposals were ranked as follows:
1. The Wallace Group
2. Consor Engineers
Following the ranking of the consultants, staff entered contract negotiations. An agreement was reached with the first-ranked consultant, The Wallace Group.
DISCUSSION:
The Project Initiation Document is the first state in the Caltrans project development process of identifying a solution for a specific transportation deficiency. The most commonly prepared Project Initiation Document is the PSR. A PSR is required before using state or federal funds for capital improvements on or near the State Highway System (SHS), whether publicly or privately funded. As the owner and operator of the SHS, Caltrans is responsible for PSR development and oversight of PSRs developed by resources outside the agency. A PSR is a pre -programming document that provides preliminary information on a project’s scope, schedule, and cost before funds are committed for subsequent phases of development, which include: environmental, design, right-of-way, and construction. Since the PSR is the first stage in project development, it is an important place to implement financial constraints and begin assessment of timed project delivery by determining when the PSR process should begin.
Alternative(s)
The City Council may choose to not award the PSR contract to The Wallace Group and direct staff to readvertise the request for proposals.
Fiscal Considerations
Funding for the PSR is identified in the City’s FY 22-24 Capital Budget. Funds allocated for the completion of the project will be supported with Gas Tax and the General Fund.
Impact to the Community
There should be no fiscal impact on the community.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A – Agreement_US 101 Betteravia Road Interchange PSR