HomeMy WebLinkAbout2022-04-07; College Boulevard Extension Design Study Update (District 2); Gomez, PazTo the members of the:
CITY COUNCIL
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April 7, 2022
Council Memorandum
To: Honorable Mayor Hall and Members of the City Council
From: Paz Gomez, Deputy City Manager, Public Works
Via: Geoff Patnoe, Assistant City Manager {ci?
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Carlsbad
Memo ID #2022038
Re: College Boulevard Extension Design Study Update (District 2)
This memorandum provides an update on the College Boulevard Extension Design Study
Project, Capital Improvement Program, or CIP, Project No. 3636.
Background
This project addresses a roadway gap on College Boulevard between Sunny Creek Road and
Cannon Road, as outlined in the city's General Plan, and is referred to as College Boulevard
Reach A. Completing this missing road segment will ease traffic congestion on nearby roads,
reduce travel times and greenhouse gas emissions. The design for the road will incorporate the
complete streets concepts outlined in the city's General Plan Mobility Element, and the street
design considers all modes of transportation, not just cars.
College Boulevard is a major north-south arterial stretching from Carlsbad's industrial area
north to state routes 78 and 76 in Oceanside. The missing gap segment is a 1.5-mile section
through an undeveloped area in Carlsbad between Cannon Road and Sunny Creek Road, just
east of El Camino Real, as shown in Attachment A. The road extension has been planned for
years, but completing it has been complicated by several factors, including funding.
Under the city's Growth Management Plan, money from the development impact fees helps
fund the infrastructure needed to support the corresponding increase in population. However,
due to concerns about traffic in this area of El Camino Real, and the fact that not all landowners
in the area are planning to develop soon, the city decided to fund the preliminary engineering
design and environmental assessment. This will allow the city to develop an initial cost estimate
and further study funding options.
This project includes only a preliminary engineering design and environmental analysis of the
gap segment, not the final design or construction. No funding has been identified at this time
for the final design or construction.
Public Works Branch
Transportation Department
1635 Faraday Avenue I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 442-339-2730 t
Council Memo -College Boulevard Extension Design Study Update (District 2)
April 7, 2022
Page 2
Discussion
On May 5, 2020, the City Council directed staff to pursue a city-led financing program for
construction of the project, which would include the city undertaking a preliminary design and
environmental assessment. On Dec. 29, 2020, staff posted a request for qualifications on
PlanetBids, an online procurement system, to advertise for professional services and select a
qualified consultant for preliminary engineering design and environmental assessment of the
project. On Feb. 26, 2021, staff received six proposals. A selection panel comprised of staff
evaluated and ranked the proposals based on best value-criteria, in keeping with Carlsbad
Municipal Code Section 3.28.0S0(D). The selection panel ranked CR Associates, formerly known
as "Chen Ryan Associates," as the most qualified consultant for this project.
On Aug. 17, 2021, the City Council authorized an agreement with CR Associates for an amount
not to exceed $1,919,294 to provide preliminary engineering and environmental assessment for
the project. In September 2021, staff issued the consultant team the notice to proceed.
Initial efforts have included data collection, investigations and engineering studies. Staff and
the consultant team have reached out to surrounding property owners to obtain right-of-entry
agreements to conduct needed field evaluation, including geotechnical investigation and
biological surveys. This process is ongoing.
Additionally, outreach to key stakeholders has been initiated for the project to solicit
background and input. Preliminary hydrology and hydraulic analyses are underway to evaluate
floodplain and floodway, culvert analysis and bridge scour. The consultant team has delivered a
draft traffic operation analysis report, which staff have reviewed and provided comments for
incorporation.
Next Steps
Staff plan to present the findings from the traffic operations analysis and conceptual road
alignment alternatives at the upcoming Traffic & Mobility Commission, or T&MC, meeting on
May 2, 2022. These alternatives include a four-lane signalized design, a two-lane signalized
design and a two-lane design with roundabout alternatives. Conceptual roadway cross-sections
have been prepared for each alternative.
Staff will seek the T&MC's support on a recommended conceptual design alternative at the
meeting on May 2, 2022. Staff will then present the findings and the recommended conceptual
design alternative to the City Council in August 2022 for approval. Upon selection of the
preferred alternative, the consultant will begin a feasibility evaluation, which they anticipate
being completed by late 2022. Preliminary design, or a 30% complete plan, will be developed
from the feasibility evaluation and is anticipated to be completed in mid-2023. The
environmental evaluation, including technical studies, will begin once a preferred alternative is
selected and the preliminary engineering design is complete. It is anticipated that the Draft
Council Memo -College Boulevard Extension Design Study Update (District 2)
April 7, 2022
Page 3
Supplemental Environmental Impact Report (EIR) will be circulated for public review in mid-
2024.
Attachment: A. Location Map
cc: Scott Chadwick, City Manager
Celia Brewer, City Attorney
Gary Barberio, Deputy City Manager, Community Services
Laura Rocha, Deputy City Manager, Administrative Services
Mickey Williams, Police Chief
Michael Calderwood, Fire Chief
Robby Contreras, Assistant City Attorney
Tom Frank, Transportation Director/City Engineer
David Graham, Chief Innovation Officer
Jeff Murphy, Community Development Director
Vicki Quiram, Utilities Director
Kristina Ray, Communication & Engagement Director
Suzanne Smithson, Library & Cultural Arts Director
Hossein Ajideh, Engineering Manager
John Kim, City Traffic Engineer
Nathan Schmidt, Transportation Planning and Mobility Manager
Don Neu, City Planner
Scott Lyle, Senior Engineer
Lauren Ferrell, Associate Engineer