Memorandum
City of Lawrence
Public Works
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TO: |
David L. Corliss, City Manager
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FROM: |
David P. Cronin, P.E., Project Engineer
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CC: |
Charles Soules, P.E., Director of Public Works Shoeb Uddin, P.E., City Engineer
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Date: |
March 23, 2012
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RE: |
Project PW1135 - 6th & Iowa Geometric Improvements Consultant Selection - Engineering Design Services
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Please include the following item on the City Commission Agenda for consideration at the April 3, 2012 meeting.
Project Description
The intersection of 6th & Iowa has a traffic volume of about 30,000 vehicles per day. The proposed improvements would include a dedicated left turn lane for west bound traffic. This is a T intersection with two through lanes each in the east-west direction. Westbound left turning (to go south onto Iowa) volume is high and cause a long queue during morning and afternoon peak hours. Based on our preliminary traffic analysis, the proposed left turn lane would reduce the average intersection delay from 89 seconds to 27 seconds, and thereby, would improve driver’s satisfaction, reduce accidents and improve traffic flow in a significant way.
The dedicated left turn lane can be established by widening the roadway and reducing the width of the existing lanes from 12 feet to 11 feet. Some utilities including traffic signal poles will require relocation. Sidewalk on the north side will be widened and the existing guard rails on both north and south side of 6th street will likely be replaced with concrete safety barriers.
During the design process if the basic improvements described above appear to be under the budgeted cost of the project, three additional improvements may be considered. A dedicated eastbound right turn lane for traffic heading south, dual left turn lanes for northbound traffic heading west and sidewalk on the south side of 6th Street from Rockledge to the Highpointe apartments entrance. These improvements will further enhance the function of the intersection by increasing safety and reducing travel times.
Project History / Status
- In February 2012, city staff received Statement of Qualifications from consulting engineering firms to provide Engineering Design Services for this project.
- On March 9, 2012 three firms were interviewed by the selection committee and details of the selection process are outlined below.
Consultant Selection Process
A 5-member selection committee reviewed the Qualification Statements and selected three firms (BG Consultants, Coder Engineering and Landplan Engineering) for in-person interview. The committee members were: Chuck Soules, Public Works Director; Shoeb Uddin, City Engineer; David Woosley, Traffic Engineer; David Cronin, Project Engineer; and Mark Hecker, Parks & Maintenance Superintendent.
Firms were evaluated on the following criteria:
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1. |
Commitment of staff, equipment and facilities |
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Ability to perform the desired services within the time prescribed |
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Past performance of firm |
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Staff’s training schools attendance |
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Previous experience with similar work |
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Work commitment which could limit performance |
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Accessibility of firm’s office |
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Firm’s familiarity with project area |
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Firm’s knowledge of project procedures |
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Firm’s consideration of project problems/issues |
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Thoroughness of presentation |
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Communication issues |
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Ability to work with public |
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14. |
Professionalism, comfort level with firm |
Based on a thorough evaluation using the above mentioned criteria, the selection committee is recommending that the city negotiate an Engineering Services Agreement with Landplan Engineering.
Project Funding
The total project budget including Engineering Design Services is $900,000. As there are no other state or federal funding sources available at this time, it is anticipated that 100% of the project cost will be financed by issuing General Obligation (GO) bonds.
Project Schedule
Completion of plans: December 2012
Advertise and bidding: Spring 2013
Construction: Summer 2013
Action Request
Authorize staff to negotiate an agreement with Landplan Engineering for engineering services for the 6th & Iowa Geometric Improvement project. The agreement will be presented at a later date to the City Commission for approval.
Attachment: 6th & Iowa location map