Title
Department of Transportation recommending the Board:
1) Approve and adopt the Guardrail Upgrades - Tahoe Project (CIP 72198/36105063, Contract 4576) Plans and Contract Documents and authorize the Chair to sign the Plans; and
2) Authorize advertisement for construction bids. (Cont. 7/21/2020, Item 12)
FUNDING: Highway Safety Improvement Program (100% - Federal).
Body
DISCUSSION / BACKGROUND
The El Dorado County Department of Transportation (Transportation) received funding through the Highway Safety Improvement Program for the Guardrail Upgrades - Tahoe Project (Project). The Project is being implemented to upgrade existing metal beam guardrail systems in El Dorado County (County) areas of South Lake Tahoe. The County has close to 5,000 linear feet of existing metal beam guardrail installed at more than seven locations in the Tahoe Basin. The locations Transportation identified that warrant upgrade of guardrail in order to meet current codes and standards include Lake Tahoe Blvd (near Sawmill Rd.), Lake Tahoe Blvd. (at Angora Creek), View Circle (at Angora Creek), Pioneer Trail (near Jicarilla Dr.), Pioneer Trail (at Trout Creek), Pioneer Trail (at Cold Creek), and Martin Ave (at Trout Creek).
The work associated with the Project consists of reconstruction / upgrades to the existing metal beam guardrail system in the County portion of the Tahoe Basin. Improvements include the removal and replacement with Midwest Guardrail Systems, installation of new Terminal Ends, and adjustments of existing Double Thrie Beam Barriers.
Due to federal funding, both California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) and National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) compliance are required. A CEQA Notice of Categorical Exemption was filed on January 15, 2020. A Caltrans NEPA Categorical Exclusion Determination was issued on May 11, 2020.
All work is to be completed within County maintained rights of way. There is no utility involvement and said work is compliant with all terms and conditions under MAP-21 including Buy America requirements.
Transportation is requesting authorization to proceed under advance construction procedures (AC). With an AC authorization, local funds are used to perform work eligible for future Federal reimbursement until construction funding becomes available. There is technically a risk that Federal reimbursement could never materialize, but neither Caltrans nor Transportation staff has ever heard of this actually occurring. Transportation is expecting to receive the AC authorization for construction phase activities before July 28, 2020. Transportation will not advertise until AC authorization (E-76) is received.
As a federally funded Project, the Contract Documents have been federalized and incorporate the current Caltrans Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) requirements. The DBE goal is 12%.
ALTERNATIVES
1) The Board could choose to not approve the Contract Documents and Plans or authorize advertisement for construction bids. Transportation will make any changes requested by the Board and return at a later date.
2) The Board could also choose to cancel the Project. Canceling the Project may include the consequence of reimbursing all federal funding received to date.
PRIOR BOARD ACTION
N/A
OTHER DEPARTMENT / AGENCY INVOLVEMENT
County Counsel and Risk Management have reviewed and approved the Plans and Contract Documents
CAO RECOMMENDATION / COMMENTS
Approve as recommended.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The total estimated cost for Project's construction phase is $520,000, which includes construction items of work, construction management, environmental monitoring, inspection, materials testing, and contingencies. The costs associated with the proposed Board actions will be funded entirely by external sources, and there is no change to Net County Cost associated with this item. The Board will not obligate the County with the current requested action. The obligation will result from the subsequent action of awarding the bid. Funding is included in the FY 2020-21 budget.
CLERK OF THE BOARD FOLLOW UP ACTIONS
1) The Clerk of the Board will obtain the Chair's signature on the construction Plan Title Sheet for the Project.
2) The Clerk of the Board will forward the original signed Plan Title sheet to Transportation, Headington Engineering, attention John Kahling.
STRATEGIC PLAN COMPONENT
Infrastructure
CONTACT
Rafael Martinez, Director
Department of Transportation