HomeMy WebLinkAbout12. Cash Contract S.S. 599 Imperial Medians
AGENDA MEMO
DATE:
February 23, 2010
TO:
Mayor and Members of the City Council
FROM:
Office of the City Manager
By: Brian A. Ragland, Director of Public Works
SUBJECT: CASH CONTRACT NO. S.S. 599
IMPERIAL HIGHWAY TRAFFIC THROUGHPUT AND SAFETY
ENHANCEMENTS PROJECT - PHASE 2
RECOMMENDATION:
That the City Council direct staff to proceed with one of the following configurations
pertaining to the proposed raised median islands on Imperial Highway between
Paramount Boulevard and Smallwood Avenue (east) through the Imperial Highway
Traffic Throughput and Safety Enhancements Project – Phase 2.
1. Continuous raised median island with no intervening openings per plans and
specifications approved by the City Council on October 27, 2009;or
2. Raised median island with left turn lane opening into the westerly driveway
serving Beach’s Market, Pepe’s Tacos and Crown Cleaners & Laundry; or
3. A 14’ wide painted 2 way left turn median providing access to the two driveways
serving the site occupied by Beach’s Market, Pepe’s Tacos and Crown Cleaners
& Laundry.
DISCUSSION:
The Imperial Highway Traffic Throughput and Safety Enhancements Project is intended
to increase vehicle throughput, enhance traffic safety and improve the aesthetics and
visual appearance of the Imperial Highway Corridor through a series of raised
landscaped median islands and associated improvements. The first phase of this
project, which included the portion of Imperial Highway between Bellflower Boulevard
and Paramount Boulevard, was completed in August 2007. Since that time the City has
seen a 60% reduction in accidents on Imperial Highway between Paramount Boulevard
and Bellflower Boulevard following the construction of the raised median islands.
During its meeting of December 15, 2009, the City Council awarded a construction
contract to Sialic Contracting Corporation, dba Shawnan. Shawnan has since been
issued a Notice-to-Proceed and commenced construction work on February 16, 2010.
Concerns have been raised in regards to the reduction in access to the retail site
currently occupied by Beach’s Market, Pepe’s Tacos and Crown Cleaners & Laundry
that would result from the construction of raised median islands along Imperial Highway
between Paramount Boulevard and Smallwood Avenue (east).
CITY OF DOWNEY, CALIFORNIA
Mayor and Members of the City Council
Cash Contract No. S.S. 599
February 23, 2010
Page 2
As requested by Councilman Guerra at the February 9, 2010 Council Meeting, staff has
developed and evaluated alternate configurations for Council consideration:
Continuous Raised Median Island
This alternate will involve the construction of a continuous raised median island
between Paramount Boulevard and Smallwood Avenue (east). While access to adjacent
properties will be less convenient, this alternate will maximize traffic throughput and
mobility as well as traffic safety. In addition, this alternate will provide the most
landscaping and, hence, corridor beautification of any of the alternates.
Raised Median Island With Single Left Turn Opening
This alternate will involve the construction of a raised median island between
Paramount Boulevard and Smallwood Avenue (east) with an opening at the western-
most driveway serving subject retail site. While this alternate will enhance access for the
aforementioned site, traffic throughput and safety would be reduced compared to the
previous (continuous raised median) alternate. In addition, less corridor beautification
would be provided given the reduced area in raised medians.
Limited Raised Median Island Construction
This alternate will involve the construction of raised median islands from the westerly
crosswalk line on the west side of Paramount Boulevard to a point 275’ to the west and
from the prolongation of the curb line on the east side of Smallwood Avenue to a point
approximately 120’ east. A painted two-way left-turn lane, similar to what exists at this
location today, would be installed between the two raised median islands. While this
alternate would maximize access for Beach’s Market, Pepe’s Tacos and Crown
Cleaners & Laundry and other adjacent uses, it is expected that this alternate would
provide the lowest level of traffic throughput and safety among the three alternates. In
addition, this alternate would minimize corridor beautification given the least amount of
raised median footprint area that would be provided.
The three alternates are illustrated on the attached exhibit. Staff will direct the
Contractor to proceed with the construction of the alternate as decided upon through
this City Council action.
FINANCIAL IMPACT:
The Raised Median Island With Single Left Turn Opening alternate would be the most
expensive of the three alternates since this scheme would be the most labor intensive of
the three alternates to construct. The Continuous Raised Median Island alternate would
be the second most expensive scenario, followed by the Limited Raised Median Island
Mayor and Members of the City Council
Cash Contract No. S.S. 599
February 23, 2010
Page 3
Construction alternate. The project budget approved by the City Council on December
15, 2009 is based on the Continuous Raised Median Island alternate. The City
previously obtained a federal Transportation Enhancements (TE) grant in the amount of
$1,466,000 toward the construction of the raised median islands. This grant, in addition
to the required 20% ($367,000) local match, will entirely fund the construction of the
raised median island component of the project, regardless of which of the three
aforementioned alternates is selected.
Attachment:
Exhibit
S:\AgendaMemosCC2010\02-23-10\SS599