HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/06/1996, C-2 - DESIGN SERVICES FOR PHASE I OF THE RAILROAD BICYCLE PATH MEETING DATE:
city of San LUIS OBISpo - -96
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT Imo""NUMBER: h
FROM: Michael D. McCluskey, Public Works Director
PREPARED BY: Reinie Gwin, Transportation Technician
Terry Sanville, Principal Transportation Planner
SUBJECT: Design Services for Phase I of the Railroad Bicycle Path
CAO RECOM1 HUgDATIONS:
By motion,
(1) approve the Request for Proposals for "Design Services: Railroad Bicycle Path Phase I,
Specification No. 9098.520.552
(2) authorize the City Administrative Officer to award an agreement for design services if the cost
does not exceed $35,000 plus contingencies.
DISCUSSION:
The "Railroad Bicycle Path" has been identified as an important transportation project for more than 20
years. It was identified as a component of the City's 1985 Bicycles Facility Plan and is included in the
current Bicycle Transportation Plan (adopted October, 1993). The importance of this project is evidenced
by the inclusion of a specific policy within the General Plan Circulation Element:
The City should obtain railroad right-of-way and easements to establish a separated bike path and
pedestrian trail through San Luis Obispo. (Page 15, Program 3.13.)
The Southern Pacific Railroad provides a unique opportunity to establish a multi-modal corridor consistent
with the goals and objectives of the Circulation Element. While the corridor has acted as barrier to access
in the past, it has the potential for providing linkages within neighborhoods and between various areas of
San Luis Obispo, including improved assess to Sinsheimer Park, the commercial core, the government
center, and to Cal Poly University.
Recently, after almost three years of negotiations, the City acquired property on the east side of the
railroad tracks from Orcutt Road to Rachel Street from Southern Pacific Railroad. This property was
bought with the specific intent of building the first phase of a bicycle path that will one day connect with
the Jennifer Street Bridge (targeted for construction in Summer/Fall 1996) and eventually extend to Cal
Poly.
In 1994, to help fund the construction of the Railroad Bicycle Path, the City applied for and was
successful in receiving a Federal Transportation Enhancement Activities (TEA) Grant for the design and
construction of Phase I of the Railroad Bicycle Path. Phase I of the path will start at Orcutt Road and
connect with Bushnell Street. Bushnell Street will then take cyclists through the neighborhood to connect
with the Jennifer Street Bridge until phase H of the path can be built. Phase I of the path is approximately
0.8 of a mile long.
City Of San L.IS S OBI SPO
=.==Ws COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
The path will be 12 feet wide with 2 foot shoulders on each side for use by bicyclists, walkers and other
modes of non-motorized transportation. Included in the design will be lighting, landscaping, fencing on
the railroad side and a connection at Boulevard Del Campo.
Staff has prepared a request for proposals (RFP) for design services from a qualified consultant. This
project cannot be done in house since all available staff time is committed to streets and utilities projects.
All other projects (including parks, buildings, and alternative transportation) must be designed by
consultant.
FISCAL EMPACT:
This design portion of this project is in the Capital Improvement Plan (Appendix B, page 93) targeted for
implementation in 1995/96. The design will be financed from the following sources:
ESTIMATED
SOURCE BUDGET CONTRACT
Federal Transportation Enhancement Activities (TEA) Grant $30,000 $20,250
Transportation Impact Fund $14,000 14,000
Parkland Development Fund $6.000 6.000
Total $50,000 $40,250
UNDER SEPARATE COVER:
The Request for Proposal for Design Services: Railroad Bicycle Path Phase I will be on file at the City
Council Office.
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