HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/01/1994, C-2 - DESIGN SERVICES FOR THE JENNIFER STREET PEDESTRIAN/BICYCLE BRIDGE MEETING DATE:
ItlN�I�I���Q����IIII�I��I �IIUIII
city Of San LUIS OBISPO March 1, 1994
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT ITEM NUMBER:
FROM: Michael D. McCluskey, Public Works Director
Prepared by: Bridget O. Fraser, Engineering Assistant
SUBJECT: Design Services for the Jennifer Street Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge
CAO RECOMMENDATIONS:
By motion,
1. Approve the Request for Proposals for 'Design Services: Jennifer Street
Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge, Specification No. 94-03X (estimated cost: $50,000)
2. Authorize the City Administrative Officer to award an agreement for design services
if the cost does not exceed $50,000
DISCUSSION:
Jennifer Street and Osos Street both come to dead ends across from each other at the
Southern Pacific railroad tracks just south of the Amtrak Station. Because Osos Street is
a convenient path to commercial areas downtown and around Railroad Square, bicyclists
and pedestrians regularly cross the tracks to get from Jennifer to Osos. With existing freight
and passenger rail service, such crossings are potentially dangerous. In the future, as rail
service expands and bicycle and pedestrian traffic increases, these crossings will become
even more hazardous.
The 1993 Bicycle Transportation Plan and the 1994 Draft Circulation Element both
recommend constructing a bike and pedestrian bridge over the railroad to provide a safe i
link between Jennifer and Osos Streets. This project is included in the 1993/95 Financial
Plan on pages E-7 and E-19.
In 1993 the Council authorized the transportation planning staff to apply for a$400,000 state
Proposition 116 grant to pay for this project. The San Luis Obispo Council of Governments
(SLOCOG)approved the application,and the California Transportation Commission(CTC)
formally included the project on its program list and conditionally approved the grant
allocation request. But the CTC cannot finally approve the grant allocation request until
the City obtains right of way certifications and toxic waste clearances. The City cannot
obtain these certifications and clearances until the project is designed and potential property
encroachments are determined. Hence, the City must complete project design in order to
receive the grant.
Engineering staff has prepared the attached request for proposals to solicit design services
by contract from a private engineering firm. Because of staff reductions over the past year,
the engineering program has only enough employees to design streets and utilities projects.
All other projects (including projects for parks, buildings, and alternative transportation)
must be designed by contract.
Design Services for the Jennifer Street Pedestrian/Bicycle Bridge
Page 2
FISCAL IMPACT:
The estimated cost of design is $50,000, but Proposition 116 grant regulations limit
reimbursement for project development (design) to five percent of the total grant amount,
or $20,000 (.05 X $400,000). Additional money needed for design will come from the
Bikeway Improvements CIP project account, which has a balance of $166,000 available.
Although final CTC approval of the grant allocation request is virtually certain, there is
always a remote chance that it could fall through. In that case, the Bikeway Improvements
project account would have to bear the entire cost of design.
NOTE: The RFP documents are available in the City Council office for review.
1AWP51\9403RFP.BF
d'
c-a-�