HomeMy WebLinkAbout03/18/1997, C-2 - TRAFFIC SIGNAL UPGRADE: JOHNSON AT MONTEREY, JOHNSON AT LAUREL LN, PISMO AT OSOS, BUCHON AT OSOS, MILL AT CALIFORNIA, AND COMMUNICATIONS CONDUIT INSTALLATION, SPECIFICATION NO. 94-23 council - ; , <
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CITY OF SAN LUIS OBISPO
FROM: Michael D.McCluskey,Public Works Director E
Prepared by. John Rawles, Civil Engineer
SUBJECT: Traffic Signal Upgrade:Johnson at Monterey,Johnson at Laurel Ln,Pismo at Osos,
Buchon at Osos,Mill at California, and Communications Conduit Installation,
Specification No. 94-23.
CAO RECOMMENDATION:
1) Approve specifications for"Traffic Signal Upgrade: Johnson at Monterey,Johnson at Laurel Ln,
Pismo at Osos,Buchon at Osos,Mill at California, and Communications Conduit Installation,
Specification No. 94-23"
2) Authorize staff to advertise for bids
3) Authorize the CAO to award the contract ifthe lowest responsible bid is within the engineer's
estimate
4) Authorize the CAO to transfer money from the Traffic Impact Fee Fund(Railroad Bicycle Path
project)and the Bullock Lane Realignment and Traffic Signal project accounts in an amount as
needed(not to exceed the engineer's estimate)after bids are opened and project costs are
determined
DISCUSSION:
Traffic Signal Upgrade:
The traffic signals at these intersections are outdated and have far outlived their intended service life.
The controllers at these intersections require constant attention by maintenance forces to keep them
operating,with numerous call-outs on evenings and weekends. Spare parts are no longer available,
replacement parts must be cannibalized from the existing supply of used controllers that were salvaged
from intersections that were previously upgraded. Replacement of these aging controllers will result in
less maintenance time expended by City staff and improved signal reliability and safety to the public at
large..
Emergengy Response:
With the proposed project is a provision for emergency vehicle pre-emption of the signals by the City's
Fire Department. This control allows the intersection to clear as the responding vehicle approaches
which results in less confusion and congestion at the intersection as the emergency vehicle attempts to
pass. This improves the overall safety at the intersection and improves the response time for emergency
vehicles.
Signal Interconnect Conduits:
In the downtown core, traffic signals are interconnected through a variety of means,hardwire
interconnect, telephone drop modem, and telephone drop DC pulse. The City pays approximately$55
per month per intersection that uses the telephone company's circuits to maintain this interconnection.
The proposed project will result in a reduction in the on-going cost to the City for maintaining
telephone interconnect. The present system uses 10 phone lines to support interconnection. The
proposed project will reduce the number of phone lines to 3, and provide interconnect conduit for
future planned signal projects. As an added benefit most of the conduits installed with this project will
be available to implement the Council adopted fiber optic network interconnecting all City facilities.
Council Agenda Report-Traffic Signal Upgrade Project
Page 2
In another upcoming CIP project,Public Works will be implementing another signal interconnect
project funded by a State grant. This project will interconnect several more signals and provide
electronic software that will allow the City Traffic Engineer to monitor and control signals from 955
Morro Stmt.
CONCURRENCES
The Community Development Department is reviewing this project for environmental clearance.
Bidding will not proceed until environmental clearance is received.
FISCAL EMPACT
Estimated Project Cost:
Traffic Signal Upgrade $3362000
Signal Interconnect Conduit 2302000
Contingencies at 100/6 57.000 $6231000
Project Budget Available:
Traffic Signal Improvements(9495)cn $1562300
Traffic Signal Improvements(95-97)m 310.000 466.300
Additional Budget Needed $156,700
Other Sources Available:
Traffic Impact Fee Fund(3) $66,700
Bullock Lane Realignment and Traffic Signal(4) 90.000
$156,700
(1) Page E-6,E-17 of the 1993-95 Financial Plan(financed with federal grants)
(2) Page E-7,E-23 of the 1995-97 Financial Plan(financed with federal grants)
(3) The Council established the Traffic Impact Fee(TIF)fund to pay for various types of
transportation projects. One portion of the TIF fees is slated for improvements to relieve
congestion(congestion management). Interconnecting signals and synchronizing timing is a
known way of providing smoother flow and lessening congestion. Staff recommends transferring
money from an existing TIF fund project in order to install interconnection conduit lines along
Monterey Street and at various other locations. $130,000 of TIF funds have been budgeted to
fund Phase 2 of the Railroad Bicycle Path. It now appears that this project will be funded as part
of the Multimodal Transit Transfer Center project. $66,700 of the TIF funds that were budgeted
for the Railroad Bicycle Path can now be used to support congestion management through
conduit installation.
(4) Page E-7,E-22 of the 1995-97 Financial Plan. Council approved a realignment and traffic signal
at this location. $90,000 of the project budget was intended for installation of the traffic signal,
but until signal warrants can be met installation can be deferred. Staff recommends transferring the
$90,000 from the potential signal project to this signal interconnect project. Note that this project
is also financed with federal grants,but money can be transferred.
Attachments
Plans and Specifications will be available in the Council office for review.