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Home My WebLink About2022-04-14; Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street Pedestrian Improvements Project (District 1); Gomez, PazTo the members of the: Cl1Y COUNCIL Date 4-\14 }2:2CA ✓ CC JL. CM _yACM V DCM (3) v April 14, 2022 To: From: Council Memorandum Via: Geoff Patnoe, Assistant City Manager {cityof Carlsbad Memo ID #2022044 Re: Honorable Mayor Hall and Members of the City Council Paz Gomez, Deputy City Manager, Pu~r orks Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street estrian Improvements Project (District 1) This memorandum provides a status update on the Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street Pedestrian Improvements, Capital Improvement Program, or CIP, Project No. 6335, or Project, which will replace the existing rectangular rapid flashing beacons, or RRFB, at the intersection of Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street with curb extensions and a pedestrian hybrid traffic signal, also known as a High-Intensity Activated Crosswalk Beacon (HAWK). Background On June 3, 2019, staff presented the results of an all-way stop analysis at the intersection of Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street to the Traffic and Mobility Commission, which was then the Traffic Safety Commission (commission). During this meeting the commission voted 6/0/1 to not establish an all-way stop at the intersection of Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street. Following concerns received from the public regarding traffic speeds, the commission made a subsequent motion for staff to consider alternative solutions consistent with the General Plan . Mobility Element to address safety, speeding and visibility issues at this intersection. This subsequent motion passed with a vote of 6/0/1. On Sept. 24, 2019, staff presented a staff report to the City Council outlining traffic calming strategies on Tamarack Avenue. Staff proposed curb extensions and a HAWK at the intersection of Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street and informed the City Council that staff would be moving forward with a CIP Project. On Jan. 6, 2020, staff presented the Project to the Traffic and Mobility Commission as an informational item. The Project will replace the existing RRFBs with a HAWK pedestrian hybrid traffic signal. The HAWK signals are designed to control vehicular traffic at an unsignalized location and facilitate a controlled pedestrian crossing, as depicted in Attachment A. The proposed HAWK signal will stop road traffic based on pedestrian calls. When a pedestrian presses the button to activate the system, the signal indications will cycle from dark to flashing yellow, which will alert drivers that pedestrians have activated the signal. The flashing yellow Public Works Branch Transportation Department 1635 Faraday Avenue I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 442-339-2730 t Council Memo -Tamarack Ave. and Valley Street Pedestrian Improvements Project (District 1) April 14, 2022 Page 2 indication will transition to a solid red indication, requiring drivers to make a complete stop at the intersection and allow pedestrians to cross. When the pedestrian interval has expired, the beacons will go dark until it is activated again. The curbs on the west side of the intersection on Tamarack Avenue at Valley Street will be extended into the existing parking lane, reducing the pedestrian crossing distance across Tamarack Avenue and increasing the visibility of pedestrians. These curb extensions will also reduce the corner curb radius to encourage slower turning speeds. On July 28, 2020, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2020-159, approving the plans and specifications and authorizing advertisement of the Project for construction bids. On Feb. 18, 2021, staff received 11 bids for construction of the Project. Staff determined that Blue Pacific Engineering and Construction, or Contractor, was the lowest responsive and responsible bidder. On Apr. 20, 2021, the City Council adopted Resolution No. 2021-088, accepting bids and awarding a contract to the Contractor. Discussion Following a preconstruction meeting to kick-off the construction phase of the Project, staff issued the Contractor a Notice to Proceed, or NTP, establishing the start of work on July 22, 2021, and the contract completion date as Dec. 1, 2021. Following issuance ofthe NTP, the Project schedule was impacted due to longer than expected fabrication duration for components of the new HAWK system. Staff provided the Contractor with a non-compensable time extension of 45 working days extending the contract completion date from Dec. 1, 2021, to Feb. 7, 2022. After construction work activities started, the Project schedule was further impacted by additional work by two working days, inclement weather by 10 working days, and procurement of a new electric meter service by 22 working days. Staff determined these impacts to be outside ofthe Contractor's scope and control and issued a non-compensable time extension of 34 working days, further extending the contract completion date from Feb. 7, 2022, to March 28, 2022. As of the date of this memorandum, the Project is approximately 50% physically complete with most of the underground work completed including the concrete foundations for the new HAWK. The Contractor is scheduled to pour new sidewalk panels this week and will be erecting the poles for the new HAWK in the coming weeks. Staff have received inquiries from residents with concerns regarding schedule delays and the potential for safety hazards associated with the Project. In response, staff have increased field presence and oversight of the Contractor's work activities to mitigate further delays. Staff have also sought opportunities to improve the Project schedule and to ensure that the Project site is safe for workers and pedestrians who utilize the crosswalks at the intersection of Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street. Council Memo -Tamarack Ave. and Valley Street Pedestrian Improvements Project (District 1) April 14, 2022 Page 3 Staff remain in frequent communication with the school crossing guard, who is posted at the intersection of Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street before and after school hours, as well as the Police Department to ensure that the Contractor's construction work activities and the Project site do not present a hazard to pedestrians who cross the intersection. Based on the Contractor's schedule, sequence of work activities and the amount of work remaining, staff anticipate the major construction work activities will be completed by mid-June 2022. Next Steps · Staff will continue to remain actively involved in the oversight of the remaining construction work activities to ensure the safe and timely completion of the Project. Attachment: A. How to use the HAWK cc: Scott Chadwick, City Manager Celia Brewer, City Attorney Gary Barberio, Deputy City Manager, Community Services Laura Rocha, Deputy City Manager, Administrative Services Michael Calderwood, Fire Chief Mickey Williams, Police Chief Robby Contreras, Assistant City Attorney Tom Frank, Transportation Director/City Engineer Jeff Murphy, Community Development Director Kristina Ray, Community & Engagement Director John Kim, City Traffic Engineer Nathan Schmidt, Transportation Planning and Mobility Manager Babaq Taj, Engineering Manager Attachment A CROSSWnlK STOP ON nm How to use the Pf DfSTRlnNS DRIVf RS ~!?1 DRIVf ( PUSH THf nlways look for people BUTTON who plan to cross. l.t]!] SLOW DOWN ~ ; n person has activated ,..-.. 111,.llilli the push button. STOP h WAIT fLASHING for the WALK signal. ff PRf PnRf TD STOP 0 START CROSSING ~!?1 STOP Always watch for cars. for pedestrian. [ns with any signal nm means STOP] fl NISH •• STOP flRST CROSSING Proceed with caution fLASHING if no people are present.