HomeMy WebLinkAbout2005-01-11 - AGENDA REPORTS - PROJ C2021 HAZARD ELIMINATION (4)Agenda Item: — 4
CITY OF SANTA CLARITA
AGENDA REPORT
CONSENT CALENDAR City Manager Approval:
Item to be presented by:
DATE: January 11, 2005
SUBJECT: HAZARD ELIMINATION SAFETY PROGRAM (PROJECT NO.
C0025), SAN FERNANDO ROAD/SIERRA HIGHWAY
INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS, AND SAN FERNANDO
ROAD RESTRIPING (PROJECT NO. C2021) - AWARD DESIGN
CONTRACT
DEPARTMENT: Building and Engineering
RECOMMENDED ACTION
City Council award the design contract to Kimley-Hom and Associates, Inc. for preparing three
different Plans, Specifications and Estimate (PS&E) packages for the following three projects:
Hazard Elimination Safety (HES) Project No. C0025, and the San Fernando Road/Sierra
Highway Intersection Improvement and San Fernando Road Restriping projects, Project
No. C2021, in the amount of $89,822.00, and authorize a 15 percent contingency expenditure in
the amount of $13,473.30, for a total of $103,295.30; and authorize the City Manager or designee
to execute all documents, subject to City Attorney approval.
BACKGROUND
The City has appropriated state and local funds for three different projects: HES project,
San Fernando Road/Sierra Highway Intersection Improvement project, and the San Fernando
Road Restriping project.
The City was awarded funding from the federal program administered by the State of California
for the 2004/2005 HES program. A program grant application was approved by City Council at
the October 22, 2002 City Council meeting. This proposed HES project, which is tailored to the
needs of the visually impaired and senior citizens, will enhance pedestli an safety and access at
ten signalized intersections. The scope of work will include, at a minimum, removing portions of
median islands protruding into crosswalks, reconstructing non-standard pedestrian ramps, and
upgrading pedestrian push buttons.
NWEM
The intersection of San Fernando Road and Sierra Highway experiences congestion during peak
hour commute. The intersection was under CaltransJurisdiction until it was relinquished to the
City in 2002. The proposed intersection modification includes relocation of vehicle heads,
retiming the signal, and adding additional lanes. This improvement will not require additional
right-of-way. However, it may require extension of the left -turn pockets and limit turn
restrictions near this intersection. This project will reduce congestion and improve the operation
of the intersection.
Over the past several years, the City has received numerous citizen complaints regarding the
recurring traffic congestion along San Fernando Road, particularly the segment between
Railroad Avenue and Sierra Highway. City staff understands that this situation has also become
a particular concern of the City Council. Field observations by City staff have confirmed that
this segment of San Fernando Road does exhibit significant peak hour morning and evening
traffic congestion. San Fernando Road, between Railroad Avenue and Sierra Highway, currently
carries approximately 46,000 vehicles per day. This average daily traffic volume is above the
recommended industry standard traffic volume for a four -lane arterial. Generally, motorists will
start experiencing peak -hour congestion on a four -lane arterial when the traffic volume exceeds
35,000 vehicles per day. This project to restripe San Fernando Road to six lanes will improve
capacity and reduce congestion.
Staff understands that adding a third travel lane in each direction to San Fernando Road will have
differing impacts on the users of that corridor, and therefore, the input of those users will be
considered in the decision-making process. These users include commuters, tenants of the
various multi -family complexes, business owners, and bicyclists. Their input could be gathered
through a combination of surveys and public outreach events, which the City has started. Once
the contributions of the various stakeholders are collected, staff will develop a conceptual plan
that can be presented back to the community. We realize that in order for this plan to be accepted
among the community, the buy -in, or at least understanding by those affected, is critical. The
conceptual plan should be ready by early 2005.
On December 3, 2004, Traffic Engineering staff received a proposal from each of the following
three consultants:
1. Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc.
2. ACT Consulting Engineers, Inc.
3. Advantec Consulting Engineers
Staff recommends that Kimley-Horn and Associates, Inc. be awarded the design contract for
these projects. This consulting firm has perfon-ned similar projects for the City and other
agencies in Southern California. The references indicated high marks on their performance and
quality of work. Kimley-Hom has a large experienced staff, and the firm's Orientation and
Mobility Specialist, needed for the HES project, has extensive experience with handicapped
access facilities. Their proposal cost of $89,822.00 was in the range of the City's engineer's cost
estimate.
ALTERNATIVE ACTIONS
Other action as determined by the City Council.
FISCAL IMPACT
Funds for the HES project have been budgeted in Account No. C0025001-8001 in the amount of
$400,000.00, and funds for the San Fernando Road/Sierra Highway, and San Fernando Road
Restriping projects have been budgeted in Account No. C2021455-8001 in the amount of
$100,000.00. At this time staff anticipates that the budgeted amounts will adequately provide for
the design and future construction of these projects.
ATTACHMENTS
Exhibit "A" - Project Location Map
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