DATE: May 17, 2016
TO: Mayor and City Council
FROM: Director of Public Works
SUBJECT
Title
Mission Boulevard and Blanche Street & Gading Road and Huntwood Way Intersections Safety Improvements: Approval of Plans and Specifications and Call for Bids
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RECOMMENDATION
Recommendation
That Council adopts the attached resolution (Attachment I) approving the plans and specifications for the Mission Boulevard and Blanche Street Intersection; and Gading Road and Huntwood Way Intersection Safety Improvements, and calling for bids to be received on June 14, 2016.
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BACKGROUND
A City-wide traffic safety improvement study identified the need for improvements at the intersections of Mission Boulevard and Blanche Street, as well as at Gading Road and Huntwood Way. At the intersection of Mission Boulevard and Blanche Street, the pedestrian crosswalk is unprotected across four lanes of Mission Blvd traffic. This crosswalk is used by school children going to and from the Conley-Caraballo High School near this intersection. At the intersection of Gading Road and Huntwood Way, there is an unsafe left turn movement from Huntwood Way into Gading Road, and an unprotected left turn movement from Gading Road into Huntwood Way.
In early 2013, staff applied for federal Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) funding and received $396,000 to improve the above mentioned intersections. The project location map is referenced in Attachment II.
DISCUSSION
Collision data demonstrated a pattern of high-collision locations centered around the above noted intersections. Broadside, sideswipe, rear-end, and vehicle-pedestrian collisions were the most common types of collisions at these intersections. Expressed community concerns and requests for improvements were consistent with the collision data. This improvement project will mitigate the identified safety issues.
The improvements will include the following:
(1) Mission Boulevard & Blanche Street - Installation of a pedestrian-activated hybrid beacon, high-intensity crosswalk signal, and updating the crosswalk striping at this intersection. This will bring greater driver awareness to the presence of pedestrians. This intersection meets the warrants for a full traffic signal system. The future Mission Boulevard Corridor Improvements project will further modify this intersection and install a full traffic signal system.
(2) Gading Road & Huntwood Way - Installation of a new traffic signal system at the intersection will provide a signalized intersection and protected left turn movements into Gading Road and Huntwood Way.
In addition to the specific improvements described above, this project will also reconstruct existing curb ramps that are not ADA compliant and will restripe crosswalks in the immediate project area.
Since this project is partly funded with federal funds, the federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program applies. The DBE has transitioned to a race-conscious DBE program, which will apply to this project. Contract goals must now include all DBE groups whose members are certified as socially and economically disadvantaged. This project will have a contract goal of 13.3% DBE participation.
This project is categorically exempt from environmental review under Section 15301 (c) of the California Environmental Quality Act guidelines for the operation, repair, maintenance, or minor alteration of existing facilities. Additionally, the Local Assistance Branch of Caltrans concurs that this project is categorically excluded from the National Environmental Policy Act.
FISCAL IMPACT
The estimated project costs are as follows:
The Adopted FY 2016 Capital Improvement Program includes $450,000 for the project in the Street System Improvements Fund. Once bids have been received and an updated cost estimate is determined, staff will return to Council for additional funding allocation at the time for award of construction contract, if such funds are needed.
PUBLIC CONTACT
Because of the temporary inconvenience that is expected from the improvement work after the construction contract is awarded, staff will post and distribute preliminary notices explaining the project to residents and businesses along the affected streets. After the construction work has been scheduled, a detailed notice indicating the date and time of work for each street will be distributed to all affected residents and businesses.
COMPLETE STREETS
This project considers all users of the public right-of-way in addition to motorists. The existing accommodations such as transit facilities, bicycle facilities, sidewalk, and street lighting will not be affected by the project. This project will upgrade existing curb ramps that are not ADA compliant, and will restripe bicycle lanes and crosswalks. These measures are consistent with the City’s adopted Complete Streets Policy, which requires that consideration be given to all users of the street, in addition to vehicular traffic.
SCHEDULE
Prepared by: Yaw Owusu, Assistant City Engineer
Staff contact
Recommended by: Morad Fakhrai, Director of Public Works
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Approved by:
Fran David, City Manager
Attachments:
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Attachment I |
Resolution |
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Attachment II |
Project Location Map |