TITLE
Recommendation to adopt Plans and Specifications No. R-6741 for new traffic control signal installation at the intersection of Atlantic Avenue and 15th Street; award the project; and authorize City Manager to execute all documents necessary to enter into a contract with Freeway Electric, Incorporation, in an estimated amount of $121,920, plus a
25 percent contingency of $30,480, and to execute any necessary amendments thereto. (District 6)
DISCUSSION
The City Traffic Engineer is tasked with periodically conducting traffic investigations based on traffic flow changes, development within the City, and accident records. Those investigations ultimately result in recommendations for traffic control modifications to accommodate changes in traffic patterns and to enhance safety. The project before the City Council is for the installation of a new traffic signal and associated traffic control modifications as recommended by the City Traffic Engineer. This new traffic signal has been designed to improve access to and from both Long Beach Poly High School and Roosevelt Elementary, and to enhance pedestrian safety for those crossing Atlantic Avenue at 15th Street.
The project includes the construction of a new traffic signal and minor modifications to the roadway striping and parking regulations. The new traffic signal will be demand-activated and include countdown pedestrian indications, new roadway lighting, and communication facilities to connect this new traffic signal to existing traffic signals at New York Avenue and 16th Street in order to maintain synchronization of traffic flow.
City Council's adoption of the plans and specifications, and award of the contract to the lowest responsible bidder are being recommended concurrently in order to expedite implementation of this project. The project was advertised for bids on September 23, 2010, and bids were opened on October 27, 2010. In addition to placing an advertisement for bids in the Long Beach Press Telegram, bid documents were made available through the City's weblink at, <http://www.PlanetBids.com> in a continuing effort to increase participation of local businesses, Minority Business Enterprises (MBEs), Women Owned Business Enterprises (WBEs), and Disadvantaged Business Enterprises (DBEs). Bid documents were also sent to several trade publications and plan rooms catering to these groups within the construction industry.
For this bid, 46 firms registered on the website were notified via automatic email notice, including three located in Long Beach. Eleven sets of bid documents were purchased by prospective bidders, and seven bids were received. Of the bidding firms, none are a local business, and four are MBE and WBE. There were no DBE registered firms that submitted bids. Freeway Electric, Incorporated, of Riverside, California, has been determined to be the lowest responsible bidder.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda Trang on December 13, 2010, and by Budget Management Officer Victoria Bell on December 17, 2010.
SUSTAINABILITY
The proposed traffic signal improvements are designed to improve traffic safety for students and others in the neighborhood. The intersection has experienced a dozen accidents in the past five years, with all but one of those occurring on school days during school arrival and departure periods. The new traffic signal should reduce and potentially eliminate such accidents in the future. According to the Federal Highway Administration, preventing a single moderate injury accident has a societal benefit of $40,000. In addition to the societal benefits from reduced accidents, the traffic signal is expected to significantly reduce vehicle idling time for traffic on 15th Street, thus reducing fuel consumption by an estimated 1,400 gallons annually and eliminating more than 25,000 lbs. of air pollution annually.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action on this matter is requested on January 4, 2011, to authorize commencement of this Public Works project. Construction is projected to begin in March and is expected to take approximately 60 working days.
FISCAL IMPACT
Sufficient funds to complete this project are budgeted in the Gas Tax Street Improvement Fund (SR 181) and Capital Project's Fund (CP 201) in the Department of Public Works (PW). There is no impact to the General Fund. This project will create an estimated 4 full-time equivalent (FTE) local jobs.
SUGGESTED ACTION
Approve recommendation.
Respectfully Submitted,
MICHAEL P. CONWAY
DIRECTOR OF PUBLIC WORKS
APPROVED:
PATRICK H. WEST
CITY MANAGER