TITLE
Recommendation to increase appropriations in the Capital Projects Fund (CP) in the Public Works Department (PW) by $741,600, for the Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Grant award for the design and construction of the Redondo Avenue and Anaheim Street Intersection Improvements Project. (District 4)
DISCUSSION
On January 8, 2013, the City Council authorized the City Manager to apply for grant funding for eligible projects covered under the 2013 Call for Projects by Metro.
The City was subsequently informed that a grant would be awarded to the City, in the amount of $741,600, for the Redondo Project. This grant amount was approved by the Metro Board of Directors on September 26, 2013. On March 3, 2015, the Metro Board of Directors executed the Funding Agreement for this project.
The Redondo Project proposes to widen and improve the intersection of Redondo Avenue at Anaheim Street to reduce traffic congestion and enhance multimodal safety, and will also include enhancements to bus stops, signals for pedestrians and bicycle users. The pedestrian ramps at the intersection will be upgraded to be compliant with current disabled access regulations. The limits of the project will extend approximately 200 feet north, south, east and west of the intersection, as shown on the attached vicinity map.
This intersection is extensively used by both adults and school age children, due to its proximity to nearby commercial and retail centers, such as the Belmont Center, and the Jefferson Leadership Academies Middle School, with a student population of 880 students. The pedestrian activity is attributable to the existing bus stops on both the north and south sides of the intersection, which provide transit services connecting to the Metro Light Rail Station and the Transit Galley to the south of the Anaheim Rail Station.
In order to enhance the pedestrian and bicyclist environment, the following improvements are proposed:
• Addition of an exclusive right-turn lane on the southbound approach to the intersection. This will require roadway widening, relocation and reconstruction of a bus stop and utilities, elongation of the southbound left-turn pocket and traffic signal modifications. The new roadway, right-turn lane and the associated improvements will be constructed on City-owned right-of-way.
• Provide bus stop enhancements, such as bus pads, benches, transmart signs, quasar canopies and lighting on the west-leg and east-leg of the intersection.
• Provide enhanced pedestrian signals with visual countdown and audible signals.
• Upgrade curb ramps to make compliant with current disabled access regulations on all four corners of the intersection.
• Provide bicycle-sensitive loop detectors and install decorative bike racks at all corners of the intersection.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda T. Vu on January 11, 2016 and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on December 16, 2015.
COMPLETE STREETS ASSESSMENT
Pursuant to Assembly Bill 1358 (the California Complete Streets Act) and as part of the implementation of the Mobility Element of the Long Beach General Plan, the City’s practice is to conduct a complete streets assessment for all roadway construction projects. This project satisfies Strategy Number 3 of the Mobility Element: to strategically improve congested corridors and intersections. The addition of the right turn lane on the southbound approach will improve traffic operation at this intersection by providing right turning traffic with their own lane, thereby reducing delay for through vehicles. The west and south legs of the intersection are also identified as pedestrian priority areas in the Mobility Element so the project improvements for curb ramps, countdown and audible signals, and bus stop enhancements all serve to improve the pedestrian environment.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested on January 19, 2016, to allow the City to proceed with the project upon appropriation of the grant funding.
FISCAL IMPACT
The total project cost is estimated at $1,284,020 and includes the cost for design, construction, construction management, labor compliance, and project oversight. Of this amount, $542,420 in Proposition A funds are budgeted in the Transportation Fund (SR 182) in the Public Works Department (PW). The Metro grant requires a cash match of $494,400, which is funded by the budgeted Proposition A funds. The remaining amount of $741,600 represents the Metro grant award that is currently unbudgeted; therefore, an appropriation increase of $741,600 is requested in the Capital Projects Fund (CP) in the Public Works Department (PW). The increase will be offset by grant reimbursement revenue. Metro will withhold 10 percent of each reimbursement payment to the City pending satisfactory completion of an audit of expenditures and completion of the agreed scope of work. Approval of this recommendation will provide continued support to our local economy.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
CRAIG A. BECK
INTERIM DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER