DEPARTMENT: Transportation & Capital Improvements
DEPARTMENT HEAD: Razi Hosseini, P.E., R.P.L.S.
COUNCIL DISTRICTS IMPACTED: Council District 6
SUBJECT:
Contract Award: Traffic Signal Improvement (N. Ellison Drive at Wiseman Boulevard Intersection)
SUMMARY:
An ordinance authorizing the award of a construction contract accepting the lowest responsive bid in the amount of $938,848.51 payable to All In Construction, L.L.C. for the N. Ellison Drive at Wiseman Boulevard Intersection Improvement Project, a FY 2018 Advanced Transportation District (ATD) funded project, located in Council District 6. Funds in the amount of $638,848.51 are available from the FY 2019 Advanced Transportation District’s budget and additional funding in the amount of $300,000.00 is available from previously authorized Certificates of Obligation.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
Traffic signals improve the efficiency and safety of vehicular and pedestrian traffic at an intersection and provide for the orderly movement of vehicles, bicyclists and pedestrians. New traffic signal projects also include construction of sidewalks and curb ramps ensuring pedestrian signals are accessible to all users of the transportation system. In general, the following metrics are reviewed when determining if a signal is an appropriate traffic control device:
• Traffic volumes approaching the intersection
• Crash history and contributing factors
• Land use characteristics such as school crossings
• Proximity of nearby signals
• Approach speeds and sight distance
• Intersection configuration and design
If the signal is warranted and recommended for installation based on the above mentioned metrics, funds will be requested through the annual capital project budget process. Typically, the installation of a traffic signal takes approximately 18 months to complete the survey, design, environmental review, utility coordination and relocation, bidding and construction. Traffic signals are also sometimes installed as part of new development.
Since the beginning of FY 2018, TCI has completed the survey, design, environmental review, and utility coordination for the N. Ellison Drive at Wiseman Boulevard Intersection Improvement Project. Relocation of conflicting utilities is currently ongoing. The bidding and traffic signal construction schedule is designed to allow the utilities to be cleared prior to starting construction to prevent delays.
Procurement of Services
This project was advertised for construction bids on November 2, 2018 in the San Antonio Hart Beat, the City of San Antonio Bidding and Contracting Opportunities website, CIVCAST electronic bidding site, Texas Electronic State Business Daily and on TVSA, The City's Government access channel. Bids for this project were opened on November 27, 2018. Of these, All In Construction, L.L.C. submitted the lowest responsive bid.
This contract will be awarded in compliance with the Small Business Economic Development Advocacy (SBEDA) Program, which requires contracts be reviewed by a Goal Setting Committee to establish a requirement and/or incentive unique to the particular contract in an effort to maximize the amount of small, minority, and women-owned business participation on the contract. The Goal Setting Committee set a 10% Minority/Women Business Enterprise (M/WBE) subcontracting goal and All In Construction, L.L.C. has committed to meeting this subcontracting goal.
This construction contract was developed utilizing the low bid process; therefore, a Discretionary Contracts Disclosure Form is not required.
The additional funding is necessary to cover additional intersection pavement and concrete work not originally anticipated, but needed to construct the turn lanes. In addition, construction bids came in higher than budgeted.
ISSUE:
This ordinance authorizes the award of a construction contract accepting the lowest responsive bid in the amount of $938,848.51 payable to All In Construction, L.L.C for the N. Ellison Drive at Wiseman Boulevard Intersection Improvement Project, an FY 2018 Advanced Transportation District funded project, located in Council District 6.
The project scope includes the construction of traffic signals on steel mast arm poles, median modifications adding exclusive left turn lanes for all four approaches as well as crosswalks, curb ramps and audible pedestrian signals. The addition of the left turn lanes allows the traffic signal to operate more efficiently and will improve safety by removing the slower turning traffic from the through traffic lanes. The intersection is currently all-way stop controlled.
Construction for the N. Ellison Drive at Wiseman Boulevard Intersection Improvement Project is anticipated to begin in October 2019 and is estimated for completion in April 2020. During construction, the contractor will utilize daily lane closures when necessary and police officers to assist with traffic control when necessary.
ALTERNATIVES:
As an alternative, City Council could choose not to award this contract and require staff to re-advertise this project. Considering the additional time required for another solicitation process, this would adversely affect the timely completion of the project and funding.
FISCAL IMPACT:
This is a one-time capital improvement expenditure in the amount of $938,848.51 payable to All In Construction, L.L.C. for the N. Ellison Drive at Wiseman Boulevard Intersection Improvement Project. Funding in the amount of $638,848.51 is available from the FY 2019 Advanced Transportation District budget and included in the 2019-2024 Capital Improvement Program Budget. Additional funding in the amount of $300,000.00 is available from previously authorized Certificates of Obligation. The additional funding is necessary to cover additional intersection pavement and concrete work not originally anticipated, but needed to construct the turn lanes. In addition, construction bids came in higher than budgeted.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of this ordinance awarding a construction contract accepting the lowest responsive bid in the amount of $938,848.51 payable to All In Construction, L.L.C. for the N. Ellison Drive and Wiseman Boulevard Intersection Improvement Project.