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CC - Approval of Plans and Specifications and Authorization to Publish a Notice Inviting Bids for the Higuera Street Bridge Removal and Replacement Project, PZ553, BHLS 5240(026) and the Ballona Creek Bicycle Path Connectivity Project at Higuera Bridge, PZ964
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Meeting Date: November 18, 2019
Contact Person/Dept: Sammy Romo/Public Works Department
Phone Number: (310) 253-5619
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No [X]
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [] Attachments: [X]
Commission Action Required: Yes [] No [X] Date:
Public Notification: (E-Mail) Meetings and Agendas - City Council (11/13/19)
Department Approval: Charles D. Herbertson, Public Works Director/City Engineer (10/18/19)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends the City Council approve the plans and specifications and authorize the publication of a Notice Inviting Bids for the Higuera Street Bridge Removal and Replacement Project, PZ553, BHLS 5240(026) and the Ballona Creek Bicycle Path Connectivity Project at Higuera Bridge, PZ964, F7507 (collectively known as “Project”).
BACKGROUND/DISCUSSION
The existing Higuera Street Bridge located at Ballona Creek Channel is 43 feet wide and has sidewalks and three traffic lanes - two in the southbound direction and one in the northbound direction. The proposed bridge will be 70 feet wide and have two lanes in each direction, bicycle lanes with lane line buffers, and sidewalks. Also another project is a new bicycle ramp that will connect Higuera Street at the bridge with the existing Ballona Creek bicycle path.
In November 2018, the City Council directed staff to explore the possibility of adding bicycle lane buffers and a left turn lane for northbound bicyclists to turn onto the proposed bicycle ramp. The design consultant revised the signing and striping plan to include buffers between the bicycle lanes and traffic lanes for both southbound and northbound directions, as well as added a northbound left-turn pocket for bicyclists to access the ramp. Staff presented the revised plan at a recent Mobility, Parking, and Traffic Subcommittee meeting. After discussion with staff, the Subcommittee approved the bicycle lane buffers but did not recommend adding a left turn lane for bicyclists for the following reasons:
1. Northbound bicyclists would need to exit the buffered bike lane, dodge raised delineators in the buffered area and cross two auto traffic lanes before reaching the left turn queuing position in the center of the road;
2. Northbound motorists will not be expecting such movement by bicyclists, which may adversely impact safety conditions; and,
3. Since the left turn lane is approximately 80 feet south of the intersection of Eastham Drive and Higuera Street, westbound motorists making a left turn from Eastham Drive onto Higuera Street would unexpectedly encounter bicyclists turning across southbound Higuera Street into the bicycle ramp. Similarly, such an unexpected traffic conflict location could potentially negatively impact safety conditions.
Instead, the Subcommittee recommended placing signage along northbound Higuera Street to guide bicyclists to cross at the signalized intersection of Eastham Drive and Higuera Street. Sign wording would state: ‘Bicycles use crosswalk to access Ballona Creek Bicycle Path.’ Additionally, the Subcommittee recommended a push button (similar to a pedestrian push button) for bicyclists to cross Higuera Street at Eastham Drive.
The Subcommittee recommended that staff present the revised striping revisions along with its recommendations to the Bicycle and Pedestrian Advisory Committee (BPAC) for its consideration.
Staff presented the aforementioned recommendations at a recent joint City Council/BPAC meeting. The Committee and Council agreed to the recommendations and also inquired about the following:
• In addition to the proposed bicycle ramp which this project will be constructing, the City Council expressed interest in building another bicycle ramp on the east side of the Bridge. Staff stated that the current budget does not allow for it, but staff will seek opportunities in the future to build one.
• Extend the bicycle lane south towards Jefferson Boulevard and north towards Hayden Avenue. Staff stated that since the southern part of the Bridge is in City of Los Angeles, staff will work with Los Angeles City officials to this end. Staff is also looking into extending the bike lanes north along Higuera Street as well as part of the Bicycle & Pedestrian Action Plan process.
Award of the construction contract is expected to occur in early 2020. Construction of the Project is expected to begin in Spring 2020.
FISCAL ANALYSIS
The Higuera Street Bridge Removal and Replacement Project, PZ553, BHLS 5240(026) is paid primarily through a grant from Federal Highway Bridge Program funds. The Ballona Creek Bike Path Connectivity Project at Higuera Bridge, PZ964, is funded primarily through a grant from Metro.
The budget for the bridge construction is $7,200,000 and $821,000 for the bicycle ramp (both budget amounts include construction, construction management, inspection, and contingency). Approval of the plans and specifications and authorization of the publication of a Notice Inviting Bids do not create a fiscal impact to the City. A detailed fiscal analysis will be included when staff returns to City Council for its consideration to award a construction contract for the Project.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2019-11-18_ATT - Higuera Bridge Plans_SR
2. 2019-11-18_ATT - Higuera Bridge Specifications
3. 2019-11-18_ATT - Higuera Bridge Bike Ramp Plans
MOTION
That the City Council:
Approve the plans and specifications and authorize the publication of a Notice Inviting Bids for the Higuera Street Bridge Removal and Replacement Project, PZ553, BHLS 5240(026) and the Ballona Creek Bicycle Path Connectivity Project at Higuera Bridge, PZ964.