Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works

 

TO:

David L. Corliss, City Manager

FROM:

Charles F. Soules, Director of Public Works

CC:

Diane Stoddard, Cynthia Wagner, Casey Toomay, Toni Wheeler

DATE:

June 18, 2014

RE:

Wakarusa Project Bids, Project Number PW1341

 

Attached is the bid memo for the Wakarusa Reconstruction Project, including the roundabout at Legends Drive/Inverness Drive.

 

  • The project schedule is to be completed by late November.
  • Traffic on Wakarusa will be maintained with one lane North and one lane South.
  • Phase 1 would include the reconstruction of the East side (half).  Access to Inverness would be closed.
  • Phase 2 would include the reconstruction of the West side (half). Access to Legends Drive would be closed.  Detours and business signage would be provided.
  • Five bids were received.  The low bid was from R. D. Johnson Excavating Co., Inc. at $1,820,016.10.
  • At this time the City has acquired one of the four property interests.  The City is open to continuing negotiations with the remaining properties.

 

The Commission has a few options available:

 

  1. Award the project and proceed to construction.  If property interests are not acquired within a reasonable timeframe there are some temporary solutions that could be constructed with minimal affects to the construction schedule.
  2. The Commission could choose not to award the bid without all property interests acquired.  This project could then be rebid after all the right-of-way is secured in the spring of 2015.  This option could see an increase in construction costs.
  3. Award bid and direct staff to develop with the contractor an alternative construction phasing and traffic control plan.  For example – complete the road work on Wakarusa Drive and wait until next spring (or after school is out or after all property is acquired) before the intersection and roundabout is constructed.

There are always pros and cons to alternatives.  In this case we may have temporary sidewalk connections and would need to look at stormwater and drainage issues.  The temporary tie-ins and traffic control would have additional costs.

 

The Contractor may have other ideas that should be considered. 

 

If this option is selected, staff would bring an alternative plan with any additional costs back to the City Commission before proceeding.

 

Please let me know if additional information is needed.