City Council
Report
City Council Meeting: September 30, 2025
Agenda Item: 4.A
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To: Mayor and City Council
From: Rick Valte, Public Works Director, Public Works, Engineering and Street Services
Subject: Award Bid SP2060-CT to Shimmick Construction Company, Inc. and RFP SP2060-CM to Bureau Veritas North America, Inc; Authorize the City Manager to Negotiate and Enter Into Contracts with Shimmick Construction and Bureau Veritas and a Contract Modification with Dokken Engineering, Inc.; Authorize the City Manager to Accept Grant Award from the Highway Bridge Program and All Grant Renewals, and to Execute All Necessary Associated Documents for the Pier Bridge Replacement Project Recommended Action
Staff recommends that the City Council:
1. Adopt a finding that the project was previously analyzed in the certified Santa Monica Pier Bridge Replacement Project Recirculated Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment in accordance with CEQA;
2. Adopt Addendum #1 to the Santa Monica Pier Bridge Replacement Project Recirculated Final Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment;
3. Award Bid #SP2060-CT to Shimmick Construction Company, Inc. for the Pier Bridge Replacement Project for the Public Works Department;
4. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a contract with Shimmick Construction Company, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $35,579,292 (including a 20% contingency), and, if necessary, authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a bridge equipment lease agreement with Acrow Corporation of America for lease of a temporary pedestrian bridge system;
5. Award Request for Proposals (RFP) #SP2060-CM to Bureau Veritas North America, Inc. to provide construction management and inspection services for the Pier Bridge Replacement Project for the Public Works Department; and
6. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a contract with Bureau Veritas North America, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $4,892,153 (including a 10% contingency);
7. Authorize the City Manager to negotiate and execute a first modification to agreement #11361 (CCS) in the amount of $218,623 with Dokken Engineering, Inc. for additional bridge engineering construction support services for the Pier 2 of 13
Bridge Replacement Project for the Public Works Department. This will result in an amended agreement with a new total amount not to exceed $4,377,023;
8. Authorize the City Manager to accept a grant awarded in the amount of $30,201,250 from the Highway Bridge Program for the Santa Monica Pier Bridge Replacement Project in the Department of Public Works, and to accept all grant renewals;
9. Authorize the City Manager to execute all necessary documents to accept the grant and all grant renewals; and
10.Authorize budget amendment as outlined in the Financial Impacts & Budget Actions section of this report (requires 5 votes).
Summary
The Pier Bridge Replacement Project (Project) would replace the 86-year-old structurally deficient Santa Monica Pier Bridge (Bridge) with a new, seismically upgraded bridge prior to the LA 2028 Summer Olympics. Staff recommends Shimmick Construction Company, Inc. to provide construction services in an amount not to exceed $35,579,292 (including a 20% contingency), and Bureau Veritas North America, Inc. to provide construction management and inspection services in an amount not to exceed $4,892,153 (including a 10% contingency). Approximately 75%, or $30,201,250, of the project is funded by the Federal Highway Bridge Program, under which the City executed an agreement to be reimbursed for construction expenditures.
The remaining 25% is funded with Local Return transportation funding.
Staff also recommends authorizing a first modification to agreement #11361 (CCS) in the amount of $218,623 with Dokken Engineering, Inc. for additional bridge engineering construction support services for the Pier Bridge Replacement Project. This will result in an amended agreement with a new total amount not to exceed $4,377,023.
Background
The Pier Bridge connects the iconic Santa Monica Pier to the intersection of Ocean Avenue and Colorado Avenue within the downtown district of the City. The Project would address the existing operational and structural deficiencies of the 86-year-old bridge. The Bridge’s original construction does not meet current seismic standards and has a sufficiency rating of 8.2 (on a scale of 100). Bridges that are seismically deficient, as defined by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) as those with sufficiency 3 of 13
ratings of less than 50, are eligible for federal funding for replacement under the Highway Bridge Program (HBP).
Since 2012, the City has worked with consultants to provide public outreach, conceptual design, and environmental documentation services for the Project, including preparation of a Draft Environmental Impact Report/Environmental Assessment (EIR/EA) in 2017.
The Draft EIR/EA identified three alternatives for replacing the Bridge and was circulated for public review from December 2017 to March 2018. Significant cultural and environmental changes to the Bridge’s surroundings rendered the three alternatives impracticable.
In 2018, staff prepared a Notice of Preparation for a Recirculated Draft EIR/EA, identifying a new set of alternatives for the Project. On June 13, 2023, Council adopted a resolution certifying the Recirculated Final EIR/EA, approved the preferred alternative bridge design, and authorized staff to proceed with the final design of the Project (Attachment A).
Discussion
On February 14, 2023, Council awarded Request For Proposal (RFP) #SP2060 to Dokken Engineering and authorized the City Manager to negotiate and enter into an agreement to provide bridge engineering design services for the Project (Attachment B).
For the past 24 months, Dokken Engineering and staff have worked to complete the final design, produce bidding documents, perform outreach to project stakeholders, and obtain approvals from state and federal agencies before bidding the Project.
Pier Electrical Utility Relocations
On January 28, 2025, Council awarded Bid #SP2741 to Doty Bros. Equipment Company to provide construction services for the Pier Electrical Utility Relocation Project (Attachment C) to relocate electrical equipment that is currently situated in a utility room directly under the Bridge. The Pier Electrical Utility Relocation Project represents a crucial preparatory construction step for the main Pier Bridge Replacement Project and is nearing completion.
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Pier Bridge Replacement Project
The proposed Project would replace the Bridge with a new bridge meeting current design and seismic standards, providing a service life of 75 years, and preserving view corridors. The new bridge would be an in-kind replacement with the same alignment and profile as the existing bridge. The replacement bridge would be approximately 447 feet in length and approximately 39 feet wide. The bridge would be approximately 5 feet wider to the north than the existing bridge, while maintaining the same line on the south side. The sidewalk would be moved to the south side of the new bridge and be 15 feet in width, approximately 5.5 feet wider than the existing north side walkway. Vehicles and bicycles would use a 20-foot-wide roadway on the north side of the bridge (Figure 1).
Figure 1 – Rendering of new Pier Bridge with 15’ sidewalk on south side The pier structure adjacent to the bridge would also undergo improvements as part of the project. To remove the existing bridge, those portions of the pier that connect to the bridge would be partially removed to facilitate construction access and later reconstructed. The pier deck would be widened to the north to match the slightly wider 5 of 13
new bridge, and the walkway on the pier in front of the businesses would be widened to align with the new sidewalk on the south side of the bridge (Figure 2).
Figure 2 – Rendering of new Pier Bridge meeting Pier Deck The historic Pier Sign would be temporarily removed during construction for rehabilitation and safe storage. Upon completion of bridge construction, the Pier Sign would be reinstalled approximately 10 feet north of its existing location and elevated to provide a minimum vertical clearance of 17 feet (Figure 3). 6 of 13
Figure 3 – Rendering of relocated historic Pier Sign
Contractor Staging and Temporary Access
During construction, the contractor must be provided with enough working space to safely demolish the existing bridge and construct the new bridge, while minimizing disruptions in access to the beach, pier, residences, and businesses. Staging space would be provided for the contractor’s use in Lot 1 North, resulting in a temporary loss of approximately 365 parking spaces.
During demolition of the existing bridge and construction of the new bridge, pedestrian access between the pier and Ocean Avenue would be maintained through construction of a temporary pedestrian bridge adjacent to and south of the Bridge. The temporary pedestrian bridge would provide an 8-foot-wide walkway—similar in width to the existing walkway on the north side of the Bridge. As part of the Project’s outreach and wayfinding efforts, signage would be installed to direct pedestrians to alternative access routes north and south of the pier during peak weekend and holiday periods.
To maintain vehicular access to the pier, a temporary ramp would be constructed from Lot 1 North to the pier deck just east of the beach bike path. The temporary ramp would 7 of 13
accommodate emergency vehicles, H-20 truck loading, and regular vehicles accessing the pier parking deck.
Bridge Engineering Construction Support Services
Due to the complex nature of the project—including historic resources immediately adjacent to the project that require structure and vibration monitoring, installation of temporary structures for pedestrian and vehicular access to the pier, identification and coordination of a dense utility network around the pier, and complex construction phasing to maintain access and services for pier operations, tenants, and visitors—staff recommends authorizing a first modification to agreement #11361 (CCS) in the amount of $218,623 with Dokken Engineering, Inc. for additional bridge engineering construction support services. The additional services would include the following:
• Respond to Requests for Information (RFIs), including written responses and supplemental or revised contract drawings
• Provide RFI support from subconsultants for specialty tasks such as geotechnical engineering, pier structural engineering, temporary pedestrian bridge engineering, mechanical/electrical/plumbing (MEP) engineering, structure and vibration monitoring consultation
• Conduct site visits to address RFIs, evaluate construction issues, and observe critical construction tasks
• Review and approve shop drawing and material submittals • Prepare consolidated as-built plans and project record drawings Vendor Selection for Construction and Construction Management Services Bidder Recommendation
Best Bidder Shimmick Construction Company, Inc.
Evaluation
Criteria
Price; the ability, capacity, and skill of the bidder to perform the services; the capacity of the bidder to perform the contract within the time specified; the sufficiency of the bidder’s financial resources; the reputation and experience of the bidder.
Municipal Code SMMC 2.24.180
Submittals Received
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Bid Data
Date
Posted
Posted On Advertise In
(City Charter
& SMMC)
Vendors
Downloade
d
Submittals
Received
Date
Publicly
Opened
5/5/2025 City's
Online
Bidding Site
Santa Monica
Daily Press
323 4 7/15/2025
Best Bidder Justification
Staff recommends awarding the bid to Shimmick Construction Company, Inc., the lowest bidder. Shimmick was determined to be the most qualified based on bid price; the company’s ability, capacity, and skill to complete the project within the specified timeframe; and its reputation and experience in successfully completing previous bridge projects.
RFP Information
Best Qualified Firm Bureau Veritas North America, Inc.
Evaluation Criteria Understanding of the work to be done; experience with similar kinds of work; quality of staff for work to be done; capability of developing innovative or advanced techniques; familiarity with state and federal procedures; financial responsibility; demonstrated technical ability.
Municipal Code SMMC 2.24.190
Shimmick Construction Company,
Inc. $29,649,409.86
Skanska USA Civil West California
District Inc. $31,361,436.00
Myers & Sons Construction, LLC $38,998,176.50
Steve P. Rados, Inc. $48,543,467.50
Submittals Received
AECOM Technical Services, Inc. Parsons Transportation Group Inc.
Bureau Veritas North America, Inc. T.Y. Lin International Ghirardelli Associates, Inc.
Jacobs
RFP Data
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Justification to Award
Bureau Veritas North America, Inc. is recommended to provide construction management, inspection, and public outreach services through One-Step Request for Proposals (RFP) Method outlined in Section 10.1.4 of the Caltrans Local Assistance Procedures Manual (LAPM). The Engineering and Street Services Division staff evaluated proposals from six firms. Following interviews with the top three shortlisted firms, staff determined that Bureau Veritas North America, Inc., was the best-qualified firm based on its experience, qualifications, and track record of delivering similar services for other municipalities.
Public Outreach
Construction of the Pier Bridge Replacement Project is anticipated to commence in November 2025 and last for 24 months. Over the past three years, City staff have conducted 30 outreach meetings related to the Project with the Pier Corporation Board, the Pier Board’s Pier Bridge Task Force, the Landmarks Commission, Pier tenants and adjacent businesses, Santa Monica Travel and Tourism (SMTT), Pier Locals’ Night, and other stakeholders. In August 2025, staff received a letter from the Pier Corporation Board of Directors expressing the Pier Corporation’s support for the Project (Attachment E).
During construction, Public Works staff would maintain an ongoing dialog to receive feedback from the public and disseminate project information, ensuring consistent outreach to the public, Pier tenants, and other stakeholders. Staff would respond to the day-to-day concerns of the community, visitors, and local businesses. Prior to and during construction, City staff and the consultant would distribute notifications to Pier tenants and adjacent property owners detailing the project scope and construction schedule. Frequent updates would be provided.
Date
Posted Posted On
Advertise In
(City Charter &
SMMC)
Vendors
Downloaded
Submittals
Received
Date
Publicly
Opened
5/5/2025 City's Online
Bidding Site
Santa Monica
Daily Press
119 6 6/16/2025
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City staff will collaborate with local businesses to provide advertising posters on construction fencing/plywood. A comprehensive public outreach plan has been developed and would be implemented by City staff and the City’s Construction Management consultant. Vehicle and pedestrian wayfinding maps, signage, and directional floor stenciling have been developed and would be installed in and around the Pier area to assist visitors in navigating the site and locating parking. Social media and the Project website would be utilized to notify the public about general construction updates.
Environmental Review
On June 13, 2023, City Council certified the Recirculated Final EIR/EA for the Pier Bridge Replacement Project, which analyzed the potential environmental impacts of the Santa Monica Pier Bridge Replacement Project. Condition of Approval NOI-1, that was included in the Final EIR/EA, required that temporary noise barriers and/or noise blankets used during construction provide a minimum Standard Transmission Class (STC) rating of 40 dB. City staff, in consultation with the project design consultant, have determined that achieving this level of attenuation is not feasible due to material limitations, site constraints, and constructability concerns. As such, the City proposes to revise the condition of approval to reflect feasible noise attenuation performance while still ensuring compliance with the City’s construction noise standards.
In accordance with CEQA, an Addendum to the Final EIR/EA (Attachment D) was prepared to analyze whether the revision to Condition of Approval NOI-1 would be within the envelope of impacts evaluated in the Final EIR/EA. As determined therein, the revision would not result in new or substantially worse noise impacts. As analyzed in the Final EIR/EA, construction noise impacts would be less than significant without mitigation. Therefore, the modification to the condition of approval would not result in new significant environmental impacts or increase the severity of impacts identified in the Final EIR/EA. Staff recommends adoption of Addendum No. 1 to the Recirculated Final EIR/EA.
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Past Council Actions
Meeting Date Description
6/13/2023
(Attachment A)
Certification of Recirculated Final EIR/EA for the Pier Bridge Replacement Project and authorization to proceed with final design 2/14/2023
(Attachment B)
Award of RFP #SP2060 to Dokken Engineering to provide bridge engineering design services for the Pier Bridge Replacement Project
1/28/2025
(Attachment C)
Award of Bid #SP2741 to Doty Bros. Equipment Company to provide construction services for the Pier Electrical Utility Relocation Project
Financial Impacts and Budget Actions
Staff seeks authority to accept a grant from the Highway Bridge Program and appropriate additional funds from the Miscellaneous Grants Fund. The appropriation would include $17,340,625 to be reimbursed by the Federal Highway Bridge Program.
The appropriation would add to the $12,860,625 already budgeted for FY 2025-26 for a total amount of $30,201,250 from the Miscellaneous Grants Fund. Approval of the recommended actions requires the following budget amendment.
FY 2025-26 Grant Budget Amendment
Establish Revenue Budget Appropriate Funds
Account
Number(s) Amount
Account
Number(s) Amount
20500001.404530 $30,201,250 C2005270.689000 $17,340,625 If renewals are awarded, budget changes will be included in subsequent year budgets, contingent on Council budget approval.
Staff seeks authority to approve available funding from the Miscellaneous Grants, Pier, and Local Return Funds to award a contract with Shimmick Construction Company, Inc. to provide construction services for the Pier Bridge Replacement Project. Future year funding is contingent on Council budget approval.
Contract Request
Funding
Source
FY 2025-26
Request CIP Account # Account
Description
Total
Contract
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Amount Amount
Miscellaneous
Grants $26,577,100 C2005270.689000
Pier Bridge
Replacement
(Highway Bridge
Program)
$26,577,100
Local Return
(Measure M) $1,420,020 C2705270.689110 Pier Bridge Replacement $1,420,020 Local Return
(Measure R) $2,796,983 C2705270.689120 Pier Bridge Replacement $2,796,983 Local Return
(Prop C) $1,146,098 C2705270.689130 Pier Bridge Replacement $1,146,098 Local Return
(Prop C) $2,689,091 C2704600.689130 Annual Paving $2,689,091 Pier Fund $950,000 C5308640.689000 Pier Trash
Compactor $950,000
Total $35,579,292 $35,579,292
Staff seeks authority to approve available funding from the Miscellaneous Grants and Local Return Funds to award a contract with Bureau Veritas North America, Inc. to provide construction management, inspection and public outreach services for the Pier Bridge Replacement Project. Future year funding is contingent on Council budget approval.
Contract Request
Funding
Source
FY 2025-26
Request
Amount
CIP Account # Account
Description
Total
Contract
Amount
Miscellaneous
Grants $3,624,150 C2005270.689000
Pier Bridge
Replacement
(Highway Bridge
Program)
$3,624,150
Local Return
(Measure M) $1,268,003 C2705270.689110 Pier Bridge Replacement $1,268,003 Total $4,892,153 $4,892,153
Staff seeks authority to approve available funding from the Local Return Fund to increase the contract amount with Dokken Engineering, Inc. for additional bridge engineering construction support services. Future year funding is contingent on Council budget approval.
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Contract Modification Request
Agreement #
Current
Authorized
Amount
FY 2025-26
Modification
Request Amount
CIP Account # Total Revised
Contract Amount
11361 (CCS) $4,158,400 $218,623 C2705270.689110 $4,377,023 Prepared By: Robert Zak, Civil Engineer
Approved Forwarded to Council
Attachments:
A. June 13, 2023 Staff Report (Web Link)
B. February 14, 2023 Staff Report (Web Link)
C. January 28, 2025 Staff Report (Web Link)
D. EIR/EA Addendum No. 1
E. SMPC Pier Bridge Construction Support Letter
F. Shimmick_Oaks_Initiative_Disclosure_Form
G. Shimmick_Levine_Act_Disclosure_Form_2025_2-26-25
H. Bureau Veritas_Levine_Act
I. Bureau Veritas Oaks_Initiative_Disclosure_Form
J. Dokken Engineering CT11361 (CCS)
K. Dokken Engineering - Oaks Initiative Form
L. Dokken Engineering - Levine Act Disclosure
M. SMPLA letter and City response
N. PowerPoint Presentation