Title
Recommendation to Accept the Work of Columbia Electric, Inc. for the Highway Safety Improvement Program Upgrades to Improve Pedestrian Safety Project, No. P.W. 01-24-04.
In accordance with the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA), this action is categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities). (Public Works 310)
Body
To: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
From: Jennifer Ott, City Manager
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
The City of Alameda (City) awarded an Agreement to Columbia Electric, Inc on April 16, 2024 for the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) - Pedestrian Safety Project (Project) to improve pedestrian safety with upgraded traffic signal equipment, signage and striping at four intersections. The improvements executed under the subject Agreement are complete and acceptable to staff. Staff recommends that the City Council accept the work.
BACKGROUND
The City received grant funding from the California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) for the HSIP - Pedestrian Safety Project to improve pedestrian safety with upgraded traffic signal equipment, signage and striping at the following four intersections:
1. Santa Clara Avenue/Grand Street
2. Otis Drive/Willow Street
3. Otis Drive/Park Street
4. Fernside Boulevard/San Jose Avenue
The Project provides upgraded traffic signal equipment, signage and striping to improve pedestrian safety. Upgraded equipment includes cabinets, controllers, video detection, audible pedestrian signals and signal heads.
DISCUSSION
The City awarded an Agreement to Columbia Electric, Inc on April 16, 2024 for the Project. A Notice to Proceed was issued on October 29, 2024 and work began on November 05, 2024. On June 10, 2025, Public Works staff performed a final inspection of the public improvements. The completed work is acceptable to the Public Works Department.
ALTERNATIVES
• Accept the improvements completed by Columbia Electric, Inc. for the HSIP Upgrades to Improve Pedestrian Safety Project; or
• Remand the project back to staff for further consideration and evaluation of the completed improvements.
FINANCIAL IMPACT
On April 16, 2024, the City Council awarded an Agreement to Columbia Electric, Inc. in the amount of $496,295, which included a $40,000 contingency, for the HSIP Upgrades to Improve Pedestrian Safety Project. Five change orders totaling $24,121.87 were approved over the course of the project. Sufficient funding was available from the contingency to pay for the additional expenses with a total project cost of $480,416.87. The original funds were budgeted in the Capital Improvement Project (CIP) Fund C13000, Traffic Signals and Systems and included the Caltrans HSIP grant amount of $249,076.
A summary of project expenditures is below.
|
Project Expenditures |
|
Project Tasks |
Authorized Amount |
Expended to Date |
|
HSIP Upgrades to Improve Pedestrian Safety Construction |
$ 496,295.00 |
$ 480,416.87 |
|
Admin and Construction Management (anticipated) |
$ 30,300.00 |
$ 30,300.00 |
|
Total |
$ 526,595.00 |
$ 510,716.87 |
Unexpended funds from this project will remain in CIP Fund C13000, Traffic Signals and Systems for future traffic signal projects.
MUNICIPAL CODE/POLICY DOCUMENT CROSS REFERENCE
This action is consistent with the Alameda Municipal Code. General Plan policies support complete streets, which are designed for all modes of transportation as follows: General Plan policies LU-3 Complete Streets and ME-10 Movement, Action A, Complete Streets. The Project is also included in Resolution 15849, Making Significant Safety Improvements to Alameda Streets in 2022 and Beyond to End Fatalities and Serious Injuries. The Project is consistent with and helps implement the City’s Active Transportation Plan and Vision Zero Plan.
ENVIRONMENTAL REVIEW
In accordance with CEQA, this action is categorically exempt from further environmental review pursuant to CEQA Guidelines Section 15301 (Existing Facilities).
CLIMATE IMPACTS
Transportation generates over 70% of the greenhouse emissions in Alameda. Improving pedestrian safety supports non-carbon emitting modes of transportation and the use of transit, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions from the City’s transportation sector.
RECOMMENDATION
Accept the improvements completed by Columbia Electric, Inc. for the HSIP Upgrades to Improve Pedestrian Safety Project, No. P.W. 01-24-04.
Respectfully submitted,
Erin Smith, Public Works Director
By,
Scott Wikstrom, City Engineer
Cody Lim, Project Manager
Financial Impact section reviewed,
Ross McCarthy, Finance Director