ACTION REQUESTED:
Title
Communication from the City Manager and the Director of Public Works with a Request to Approve the Following:
A. Accept the LOW BID of LASER ELECTRIC INC. and Award the Construction CONTRACT, in the Amount of $559,670.62, for the FLASHING YELLOW ARROW SIGNALS INSTALLATION PROJECT; (Refer to #14-328) [Districts 2-5]
B. Approve and Authorize the City Manager to Execute a CONSTRUCTION ENGINEERING SERVICES AGREEMENT with HERMANN & ASSOCIATES, LLC, for a Not-to-Exceed Amount of $37,325.00, for the FLASHING YELLOW ARROW SIGNALS INSTALLATION PROJECT. [Districts 2-5]
Body
BACKGROUND:
On August 12, 2014 under Council Item #14-328, Council approved a Grant Agreement for $540,000 in Federal funds administered through the Illinois Department of Transportation's Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP). Under the grant agreement, the City has a $60,000 (10%) Local Funding Match to be used for Construction. The project is being limited to only use $559,670.62 for the entire construction aspect, of which the City's 10% share would be $55,967.06 and the Federal Grant's would be $503,703.56.
The Flashing Yellow Arrow Signals Installation will improve permitted/protected left-turn phases at 27 intersections throughout the city. The Location Map of intersections to be improved is attached. The Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) has previously installed flashing yellow arrow upgrades at the signals along War Memorial Drive, Knoxville Avenue, NE Adams Street, NE Jefferson Street, Washington Street, and other roadway corridors of IDOT jurisdiction within the city. The City's installation will upgrade signals near the IDOT-installed intersections to provide a network of the same type of signal control to significantly reduce driver confusion.
The left turn Flashing Yellow Arrows can be installed at existing signalized intersections that currently have a permitted left-turn phase with what is commonly seen as a "Green Ball, left turn yield to oncoming traffic." The Federal Highway Administration has conducted studies that verify the safety and efficiency improvement after Flashing Yellow Arrows are installed in place of the Green Ball left turns. Flashing Yellow Arrow installations have been shown to lower the incidents of left-turn crashes, as well as allowing safe left turns at times when a Green Ball would not be permissible. Furthermore, engineering staff will be working with the contractor to program the signal controllers, where applicable, to help prevent conflict between left turning vehicles and pedestrians/bicycles.
The contract will also include upgrading several of the traffic signal controllers and cabinets to current standards, improving the City's smart traffic signal system. Many existing controllers are outdated with components that do not allow connection to newer, safer systems such as Flashing Yellow Arrow modifications.
City staff prepared the project specifications and advertised the bid letting. On April 1, 2015 two (2) bids were received and opened, as follows:
Bidder: |
Total Bid: |
Laser Electric, Inc. |
$559,670.62 |
Oberlander Electric, Inc. |
$601,266.40 |
Engineer's Estimate: $604,750
This project is a state-authorized project with IDOT certifying most aspects of the project. The goals for Minority and Women Business Enterprises are not subject to this state project under guidelines with Federally-funded projects. Goals for workforce participation will be enforced by the City of Peoria.
Hermann & Associates will be the consulting engineering firm to manage construction of this project. The attached Agreement outlines Hermann's services. This firm has overseen similar HSIP Grant projects within IDOT's District 4. Their staff is certified in construction documentation for IDOT and HSIP reporting. Furthermore, the Engineer who will oversee the project's implementation wrote her Civil Engineering Master's thesis at Bradley, which specifically related to the safety and efficiency of Flashing Yellow Arrow signalized intersections.
FINANCIAL IMPACT: A Grant of Federal funds administered through IDOT's HSIP Flashing Yellow Arrow Signal Installation project is budgeted in Project PB1320, with the City's 10% match funded from Project PB1216. The project including staff design, construction, consultant's construction engineering, and staff's project management will be budgeted per the following:
BUDGET PROJECT EXPENDITURES
PB1320 (HSIP Fed Grant) $ 503,703.56 Engineering Phases I&II (Staff): $ 2,259.77
PB1216 (Local-Engr + Match) $ 80,000.00 Engineering Phase III (Hermann): $ 37,325.00
PB1410 (Local- Engineering) $ 22,000.00 Construction 'Fed' (Laser): $ 503,703.56
Construction 'Local' (Laser): $ 55,967.06
Project Management (Staff): $ 6,448.17
TOTAL $605,703.56 TOTAL: $ 605,703.56
NEIGHBORHOOD CONCERNS: The Federal Highway Administration has conducted studies that verify the safety and efficiency improvement after Flashing Yellow Arrows are installed.
IMPACT IF APPROVED: Staff can implement the project and utilize the Federal grant funding.
IMPACT IF DENIED: The 2014-2015 CIP could be affected. The traffic signals will not be upgraded and improved as planned. The HSIP grant money may be forfeited.
ALTERNATIVES: NA
EEO CERTIFICATION NUMBER: Laser Electric, Inc. has current EEO #00033-150930.
WHICH OF THE GOALS IDENTIFIED IN THE COUNCIL'S 2014 - 2029 STRATEGIC PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION ADVANCE?
1. Financially Sound City Government, Effective City Organization
2. Attractive Neighborhoods with Character: Safe and Livable
WHICH CRITICAL SUCCESS FACTOR(S) FROM THE COMPREHENSIVE PLAN DOES THIS RECOMMENDATION IMPLEMENT?
1. Invest in our infrastructure and transportation.
2. Support sustainability.
3. Have an efficient government.
DEPARTMENT: Public Works