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/SR 166 Main Street Interchange - Project Study Report
Description:
The City Council will consider approving an agreement for the US 101/Main Street 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 A greement with Dewberry Engineers Inc. to prepare a Project Study Report for the US 101/SR 166 Main Street Interchange.
BACKGROUND:
The US 101/SR 166 Main Street Interchange is a primary connection point of two state highways through the City of Santa Maria. Traffic volumes are significant, particu larly in the AM and PM peak hours of the day. In an effort to address increasing traffic demands, a growing population, and future development East of US 101, a Project Study Report (PSR) is required to determine the appropriate improvements necessary to increase the level of service for the interchange.
On September 13, 2022, the Engineering Division prepared an advertisement to transportation engineering consultants for the initiation of a PSR for the US 101/SR 166 Main Street Interchange.
On October 22, 2022, three consulting firms submitted proposals. These 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 three consultants were reviewed internally by Engineering staff. The proposals were ranked as follows:
1. Dewberry Engineers, Inc.
2. Consor Engineers
3. GHD Inc.
2 Following the ranking of the consultants, staff entered contract negotiations. An agreement was reached with the first-ranked consultant, Dewberry Engineers, Inc.
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 not to award the PSR contract to Dewberry Engineers, Inc. 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 to the community.
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A – Agreement_US 101 Main Street PSR