Title
a. Adopt the Plans and Special Provisions for County Project No. 1166, the Elkhorn Road / Werner Road / Salinas Road Intersection Safety Improvement - Phase 1; and
b. Authorize the Resource Management Agency Director to advertise the project’s “Notice to Bidders” in the Monterey County Weekly.
Report
RECOMMENDATION:
It is recommended that the Board of Supervisors:
a. Adopt the Plans and Special Provisions for the Elkhorn Road / Werner Road / Salinas Road Intersection Safety Improvement - Phase 1, Project No. 1166; and
b. Authorize the Resource Management Agency Director to advertise the project’s “Notice to Bidders” in the Monterey County Weekly.
SUMMARY/DISCUSSION:
The Elkhorn Road / Werner Road / Salinas Road Intersection Safety Improvement - Phase 1 project consists of the application of a slurry seal that will generally extend the life of the existing pavement and the installation of the following countermeasures to improve the driving experience for motorists: 1) the installation of “KEEP CLEAR” pavement markings for the eastbound movement at the intersection of Fruitland Avenue and Salinas Road, 2) installation of Two Way Left Turn Lane pavement markings (TWLTL) on Salinas Road, and 3) Installation of a westbound refuge/acceleration lane within the striped median at the intersection of Werner Road and Salinas Road. These countermeasures were recommended by a traffic engineering study as interim safety measures. Moreover, this project is consistent with Transportation Agency for Monterey County’s (TAMC) Active Transportation Plan (ATP) because it incorporates a class II bike lane along this segment of Salinas road.
This project was identified as a top priority project under the Measure X program.
Concurrently, TAMC in partnership with the County of Monterey and California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) conducted a study of the G12 Corridor, extending from Pajaro to Prunedale, to identify improvements that will provide safer access to all modes of travel. The Corridor Study evaluated current and future travel patterns between the US101/ San Miguel Canyon Road Interchange in Prunedale, to the Highway 1/ Salinas Road Interchange, to the end of Main Street in Pajaro. The study explored the feasibility of affordable mid-term and long-term operational and safety improvements in context with other planned regional improvements, while retaining the unique character of the Elkhorn Slough. The study recommended approximately $55 Million in traffic improvement projects, with one (1) of the project areas identified as the Elkhorn/Werner/Salinas intersection. The long-term improvement consists of two (2) alternatives, whose cost estimates range from approximately $4.4 Million to $15.1 Million.
While funding opportunities are identified for the long-term improvement, this interim improvement will not conflict with the long-term improvement alternative and will serve as an enhancement to the motorist driving experience in the meantime.
The bid opening for the project is tentatively set for October 23, 2020 at 3:00 p.m., in the Board of Supervisors’ Conference Room, Room 1032, County of Monterey, Administration Building, Government Center,168 W. Alisal Street, First Floor, Salinas, California 93901. Construction for the project is scheduled to begin in late November, after the project is awarded to the lowest bidder.
In compliance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), the Monterey County Resource Management Agency (RMA) filed a Notice of Exemption on May 15, 2020. The project was determined to be categorically exempt (Class 1) from the CEQA because the project is to perform repair and maintenance on an existing road which involves no expansion of existing use (See CEQA Guidelines, California Code of Regulations [CCR] Section 15301 Existing Facilities).
Adopting the Plans and Special Provisions and authorizing RMA to advertise the Project, will allow RMA to proceed with the construction phase of the Project and solicit construction bids. RMA will return to the Board after opening bids and determining the lowest responsible bidder to award the Project.
OTHER AGENCY INVOLVEMENT:
The Office of the County Counsel-Risk Manager and the Auditor-Controller’s Office have reviewed and approved the Special Provisions as to form, insurance and indemnification provisions and fiscal terms, respectively.
FINANCING:
The total estimated project cost, including environmental, design engineering, construction management, and construction is $319,814. The Project is fully funded by Measure X and scheduled to begin construction in Fiscal Year (FY) 2020-21. The construction phase of the Project has an estimated cost of $288,255, refer to Attachment B - Project Budget for more details. There are currently sufficient appropriations in the adopted FY 2020-21 Road Fund 002, Appropriation Unit RMA012 budget to complete the project.
BOARD OF SUPERVISORS STRATEGIC INITIATIVES:
Overall, this project improves the safety for all road users along this segment of Salinas Road by reducing conflict points for left turning movements through the installation of the counter measures listed above, and the addition of a Class II Bike lane along this stretch of road. This project is identified as a top priority project under the Measure X program. This project is part of the County’s continued actions of accomplishing Measure X projects in the Measure X program/campaign. Over successive years, more projects will be phased in and accomplished in the program. The recommended action supports the following Board of Supervisors’ Strategic Initiatives:
__ Economic Development
__ Administration
__ Health & Human Services
X Infrastructure
X Public Safety
Prepared by: Miguel Sanchez, E.I.T., Assistant Engineer
Reviewed by: Randell Ishii, M.S., P.E., P.T.O.E., Chief of Public Works
Approved by: Carl P. Holm, AICP, RMA Director
The following attachments are on file with the Clerk of the Board:
Attachment A - Location
Attachment B - Project Budget
Attachment C - Plans and Specifications Book 1 and Book 2