TO: AC Transit Board of Directors
FROM: Michael A. Hursh, General Manager
SUBJECT: Rapid Corridors Project
ACTION ITEM
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
Title
Consider authorizing issuance of an Invitation For Bid (IFB) for construction associated with the Rapid Corridors Project for improvements along San Pablo Avenue and Grand/West Grand Avenues.
Body
STRATEGIC IMPORTANCE:
Goal - Convenient and Reliable Service
Initiative - Service Quality
The proposed project intends to improve reliability and reduce travel time along the San Pablo corridor. This is one of three corridors scheduled for capital improvements for transit performance under the Rapid Corridors Project.
BUDGETARY/FISCAL IMPACT:
The proposed project budget for all three corridors (San Pablo, Grand and Telegraph) totals $12 million. The total budget for the San Pablo Avenue portion is approximately $4 million. The entire project is funded by various federal, state, and regional agencies including the Metropolitan Transportation Commission (MTC), Alameda County Transportation Commission (ACTC) and the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans). The project will be programmed in the FY2019-20 and FY2020-21 capital budget. Staff does not anticipate any District contribution other than staff time.
BACKGROUND/RATIONALE:
The Rapid Corridors Project is intended to improve transit operations along Telegraph Avenue, San Pablo Avenue and Grand Avenue, as well as providing a mechanism to design and build the Dana Complete Street Pilot Project in Berkeley. In order to implement the Rapid Corridors Project swiftly, the project design and construction were split into two segments: 1) San Pablo and Grand/West Grand Avenues and 2) Telegraph Avenue and Dana Complete Street Pilot Project.
The San Pablo Avenue construction contract includes the following:
• Replace existing equipment: The project would replace 17-year-old infrared Transit Signal Priority (TSP) equipment on traffic signals along San Pablo Avenue with more reliable, easier to maintain and monitor, modern GPS technology.
• Grand Avenue TSP Gap Closure: On Grand and West Grand Avenues, unconnected, unconfigured and untested TSP equipment already exists. This project will activate and close gaps in the TSP system between Maritime Street and Lake Park Avenue in Oakland.
• Interstate 80 (I-80) Integrated Corridor Mobility TSP Gap Closure: The project will close a gap in the TSP system on arterials connecting San Pablo Avenue and I-80. Unconnected, unconfigured and untested TSP equipment already exists.
Design for the San Pablo Avenue corridor is expected to be completed in the summer. Once the design is completed and ready for construction bid, staff will issue an IFB for Construction Services. Staff will return to the Board to request a contract award of a firm fixed price contract to the lowest responsive and responsible bidder.
The project team is currently completing preliminary design for the Telegraph Avenue corridor and Dana Complete Street Pilot Project. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the public outreach effort is shifting away from in-person open houses to digital townhalls in summer 2020. Notification about the proposed project and on-line meetings will be sent to residents, property owners and businesses via mail, and riders and the general public via eNews, Facebook posts and webpage announcements. Staff will present a separate Staff Report to advance the Telegraph Avenue and Dana Street construction effort at a later date.
ADVANTAGES/DISADVANTAGES:
There are no disadvantages to advertising the IFB.
ALTERNATIVES ANALYSIS:
A possible alternative is combining IFBs for San Pablo Avenue and Telegraph Avenue to achieve a better economy of scale. However, this will delay the implementation on the San Pablo Avenue corridor significantly and miss a project completion milestone for the West Grand/Grand Avenue TSP Gap Closure project. The Telegraph Avenue portion of the project requires a higher level of outreach and coordination that places it on a different timeframe.
PRIOR RELEVANT BOARD ACTION/POLICIES:
SR 20-204 - Rapid Corridors San Pablo Avenue Project Construction Management Service Board Policy 465 - Procurement Policy
ATTACHMENTS:
None
Prepared by:
Wil Buller, Traffic Engineer
Mika Miyasato, Senior Transportation Planner
In Collaboration with:
Jim Cunradi, Transportation Planning Manager
Evelyn Ng, Capital Planning & Grants Manager
Approved/Reviewed by:
Ramakrishna Pochiraju, Executive Director of Planning & Engineering
Jill A. Sprague, General Counsel
Claudia L. Allen, Chief Financial Officer
Beverly Greene, Executive Director of External Affairs, Marketing & Communications
Robert del Rosario, Director of Services Development and Planning
Gene Clark, Director of Procurement and Materials
Claudia Burgos, Director of Legislative Affairs & Community Relations