Memorandum

City of Lawrence

Public Works

TO:	David P. Cronin, P.E., City Engineer
CC:	Chuck Soules, P.E., Director of Public Works Mark Thiel, Assistant Director of Public Works
FROM:	Nicholas Voss, P.E., Project Engineer
DATE:	June 3, 2015
RE:	PW1428, 23rd Street Lighting, Decline Bid

History

The intersection of 23^rd and Iowa has the highest daily traffic volume of any intersection within the City, with over 60,000 vehicles per day. This intersection will continue to be a major crossroads for the City even after the opening of the SLT.  Over the past several years there have been numerous projects, both city and private, to enhance the safety, access to businesses, pedestrian access, lighting and appeal / beautification of the area. This corridor serves as a gateway for the community. This project includes the installation of LED lighting which will improve safety. As businesses make exterior improvements to their buildings and new commercial development continues to locate along 23^rd Street, it remains imperative that the city continue to make improvements to the 23^rd Street corridor.

Project Description

The intersection of 23^rd Street and Iowa Street was reconstructed in the summer and fall of 2014.  As part of this project, decorative street lighting was installed at the intersection.  This project would extend the use of the decorative LED street lighting along 23^rd Street on the north side from Crestline Street to Alabama Street and will place the electrical wiring serving the lights underground.

The project was planned on being funded with $150,000 from the CIP reserve fund.  The only bid for the project was $233,345 (see attached bid tab).

A solar powered light option was studied for this project.  Solar powered street light assemblies that are currently available do not deliver as much light output compared to the wired design.  To achieve the same lighting as a wired street light, more solar powered lighting assemblies are required.  The present day cost of the project would be approximately $318,750 higher if the solar powered option was pursued.  Maintenance and the risk of lower or no light output with periods of no or reduced sunlight should also be considered.  More information comparing the solar powered street light option is available in the attached memo.

Action

Reject bids for Bid No. B1529, Project Number PW1428 – 23^rd Street Lighting, as bids received were over staff estimates.