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Home My WebLink About2022-06-09; Tamarack Avenue Valley Street Pedestrian Improvements Project Update (District 1); Gomez, Pazio the members of the: Cll'Y COUNCIL Datell/q/~aCA ✓ cc ~ CM-~-ACM ~ DCM (3) ~. June 9, 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 @ {city of Carlsbad Memo ID #2022071 Re: Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street Pedestrian Improvements Project Update (District 1) This memorandum provides an update to a Council Memorandum dated April 14, 2022 (Attachment A), on the Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street Pedestrian Improvements, Capital Improvement Program (CIP), Project No. 6335 (Project), which will replace a rectangular rapid flashing beacon (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 A Council Memorandum issued on April 14, 2022, provided the City Council with information on the Project including design development, contract procurement, contract award and construction progress. Additionally, during recent City Council and Traffic and Mobility Commission meetings, residents have spoken about their concerns over the Project. On May 24, 2022, staff met with nearby residents on site to discuss the Project. Discussion During the Traffic and Mobility Commission (Commission) meeting on June 6, 2022, the Commission received a group presentation during non-agenda public comment on some residents' concerns about the Project. The Commission requested that staff place an item on a future meeting agenda to briefthem on the history of the Project, current Project options and options for traffic calming in that area. In the Council Memorandum dated April 14, 2022, staff forecasted completion of all major work activities by mid-June 2022, approximately three months beyond the Project's contract completion date. Since that time, Blue Pacific Engineering and Construction (Contractor), has notified staff that the final, critical components of the HAWK system are scheduled to be delivered at the end of July 2022. Hence, final installation of all components, commissioning of Public Works Branch Transportation Department 1635 Faraday Avenue I Carlsbad, CA 92008 I 442-339-2730 t Council Memo -Tamarack Ave & Valley St Pedestrian Improvements Project Update {District 1) June 9, 2022 Page 2 the new HAWK system and completion of all remaining work activities are now scheduled to be completed in August 2022. Next Steps Staff will continue to engage the Contractor and its vendor to seek opportunities to expedite shipment of the remaining system components needed to complete the Project. As requested, staff will present on the Project at a future Commission meeting. Attachment: A. Council Memorandum dated April 14, 2022 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 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 To the members of the: Attachment A CITY COUNCIL Date 4{14 l 2.XA ✓ CC JL. CM _ftCM ✓ DCM (3) ✓ _ Council Memorandum April 14, 2022 fo: From: Via: Geoff Patnoe, Assistant City Manager {city of Carlsbad Memo ID #2022044 Re: Honorable Mayor Hall and Members of the City Council Paz Gomez, Deputy City Manager, Pu~I' arks Tamarack Avenue and Valley Street estrian lmprove_m~nts 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. 63351 or ProJect, which will replace the existing rectangular rapid flashing beacons, or RRFB, c1t the intersectioJi 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 l"amarack Avenue and Valley Street. Following concerns received fr6m the publiJ: regardil'.lg traffic:speeds, the commission made a subsequent motion for staff to consider <Jltemative solutions consistent with the General Plan . Mobility Element to address safety, speedin~ and visibflity issues at this intersection. This subsequent motion passed witb 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 ofTamarackAvenue and Valley Street and informed the City Council that staff would be moving forward with a CW Project. On Jan., 6, 2020, staff presented the Project to the Traffic and Mobility Commission as an informational item. Th-e Project will replace the existing RRFBs with a HAWK pedestrian hybrid traffic signal. The HAWK signals are designed to control vehicular traffic at an unsignaJized location and fadlitate a controlled pedestrian crossing, as depicted in Attac:hment 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 driyers 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 r I 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 inte_rsection 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 spe_cifications 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 Pacifieo 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 cdntract to the Contractor. Discussion Following a preconstruction meetingt.o 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 of the 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 :1,0 working days, and procurement of a new electric meter service by 22 working days. Staff determined these impacts to be outside of the 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 How to use the Pf OfSTRlnNS ORIVfRS PUSH THf '!fl DRIVf Always look for people HUTTON who plan to cross. ., SLOW DOWN R person has activated STOP & wnn the push button. far the WRLK signal. It, PR(PIIR( TO STOP 0 STnRT CROSSINO '!fl STOP Always watch far cars. for pedestrian. (ns with any signal RfD means STOP) fl NISH STOP flRST CROSSING Proceed with caution flRSHING if no people are present.