Staff Report
PREPARED BY: YING SMITH
Transportation and Mobility Manager
Reviewed by: Town Manager, Assistant Town Manager, Town Attorney, Finance Director, Parks and
Public Works Director, and Assistant Parks and Public Works Director
110 E. Main Street Los Gatos, CA 95030 ● 408-354-6832
www.losgatosca.gov
TOWN OF LOS GATOS
COUNCIL AGENDA REPORT
MEETING DATE: 06/18/2019
ITEM NO: 14
DATE: JUNE 13, 2019
TO: MAYOR AND TOWN COUNCIL
FROM: LAUREL PREVETTI, TOWN MANAGER
SUBJECT: HIGHWAY 17 BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS
AND CONCEPTUAL ENGINEERING (PROJECT NUMBER 818-0803)
A. REVIEW AND APPROVE THE SCOPE OF SERVICES FOR A REQUEST FOR
PROPOSALS (RFP) FOR THE HIGHWAY 17 BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN
BRIDGE FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS AND CONCEPTUAL ENGINEERING.
B. AUTHORIZE THE TOWN MANAGER TO NEGOTIATE AND EXECUTE A
CONSULTANT AGREEMENT FOR THE HIGHWAY 17 BICYCLE AND
PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS AND CONCEPTUAL
ENGINEERING WITH THE HIGHEST SCORED PROPOSER IN AN AMOUNT
NOT TO EXCEED $234,456.
RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends that the Town Council:
1. Review and approve the scope of services for a Request for Proposals (RFP) (Attachment 1)
for the Highway 17 Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge Feasibility Analysis and Conceptual
Engineering.
2. Authorize the Town Manager to negotiate and execute a Consultant Agreement for the
Highway 17 Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge Feasibility Analysis and Conceptual Engineering
with the highest scored proposer in an amount not to exceed $234,456.
BACKGROUND:
Highway 17 presents a barrier for bicyclists and pedestrians wanting to cross from one side of
Los Gatos to the other. Current crossings are largely vehicle focused and uncomfortable for
other transportation modes. The Town has included proposed improvements for Highway 17
crossings in several policy documents, including the Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan.
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SUBJECT: HIGHWAY 17 BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS AND
CONCEPTUAL ENGINEERING (PROJECT NUMBER 818-0803)
DATE: JUNE 13, 2019
S:\COUNCIL REPORTS\2019\06-18-19\14 Highway 17 Bike and Ped Bridge Feasibility\Staff Report.FINAL.docx 6/13/2019 12:43 PM MM
BACKGROUND (continued):
The Bicycle and Pedestrian Master Plan identified a bridge over Highway 17 with an easterly
terminus at Nino Avenue as a potential option for a new bicycle and pedestrian bridge
connection. A bridge connection to Nino Avenue would provide direct access to the south side
of Fisher Middle School. An alternative solution identified in the Town’s General Plan is the
widening of the Blossom Hill Road Bridge over Highway 17 for bicyclists and pedestrians. This
option could also take the form of a separate bike and ped bridge immediately adjacent to the
Blossom Hill Road bridge. In addition to the two referenced planning documents above, the
project is also included in the Traffic Impact Mitigation Fee program and the Town’s submittals
to the VTA’s Valley Transportation Plan 2040.
A multimodal bridge which crosses Highway 17 would be eligible for funding from sources other
than the Town, including the 2016 Measure B. The first step in moving towards securing
funding is to conduct a preliminary review of where a potential bridge alignment might be
feasible. This feasibility analysis would also result in a conceptual design that would make any
future project more competitive for grant funding.
DISCUSSION:
A feasibility analysis would examine the options and identify the pros and cons of each,
including such environmental impacts, right -of-way availability, cost, public input, and overall
feasibility. The goal of the feasibility analysis is to ensure that the best option is selected prior
to conducting full design. This is a typical first stage of design for a large construction project.
Town staff has developed a draft scope of services (Attachment A to Attachment 1) for the
Feasibility Analysis and Conceptual Engineering.
At the conclusion of the feasibility study, the Council would be presented with the analysis of
the options and would select the preferred project alternative. The consultant would
subsequently advance a conceptual design for the preferred project alternative to support
future phases of the project development, including environmental clearance, right-of-way,
final design, and construction. Completion of this first phase through Conceptual Engineering
would enhance the Town’s future access to a combination of funds available through
competitive opportunities. It is estimated that an additional $800,000 would be required to
complete all engineering and design work over approximately three to five years. The total
project construction costs are estimated to be in the $5 to $10 million range.
CONCLUSION:
The review of the RFP provides an opportunity for the Town Council to shape the scope of work
and schedule. Staff anticipates releasing the RFP in June with the consultant contract
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SUBJECT: HIGHWAY 17 BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS AND
CONCEPTUAL ENGINEERING (PROJECT NUMBER 818-0803)
DATE: JUNE 13, 2019
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CONCLUSION (continued):
(Attachment B to Attachment 1) awarded in August. This schedule will position the Town to
receive early project deliverables in October, which will help support a grant application to the
Santa Clara County Measure B Bike and Pedestrian Capital Projects Competitive Grant program.
By approving the RFP and pre-authorizing the award of the contract, the Council is initiating the
first phase of project development, but not committing to a particular alignment alternative. At
the conclusion of this study and design phase, the Council will have the opportunity to decide
on the preferred alternative, based on the evaluation of the criteria, including community and
Council input.
COORDINATION:
This report was developed in coordination with the Finance Department.
FISCAL IMPACT:
Funding for the Highway 17 Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge Feasibility Analysis and Conceptual
Engineering is included in the Fiscal Year 2019/20 Capital Improvement Program Budget in the
amount of $200,000. On May 7, 2019 the Town Council approved an application for FY 2019-20
TDA Article 3 funds with the funding earmarked for this project. These funds are formulaic in
their award and staff anticipates having access to those funds in early August, ahead of the
award of contract resulting from this RFP. Once the award of funds is finalized, staff will bring a
request for a budget adjustment to the Council to officially recognize the funds. Other funding
sources include the Town’s previous share of the Transportation Development Act (TDA) Article
3 funds and the Town’s Traffic Impact Mitigation Fees.
Highway 17 Bicycle and Pedestrian Bridge - Preliminary Design
Project 818-0803
Budget Costs
Traffic Mitigation $ 147,005
TDA Article 3 (FY 18/19) $ 52,995
TDA Article 3 (FY 19/20) (pending) $ 34,456
Total Budget $ 234,456
Consultant for Engineering $ 234,456
Total Expenditures $ 234,456
Remaining Balance $ -
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SUBJECT: HIGHWAY 17 BICYCLE AND PEDESTRIAN BRIDGE FEASIBILITY ANALYSIS AND
CONCEPTUAL ENGINEERING (PROJECT NUMBER 818-0803)
DATE: JUNE 13, 2019
S:\COUNCIL REPORTS\2019\06-18-19\14 Highway 17 Bike and Ped Bridge Feasibility\Staff Report.FINAL.docx 6/13/2019 12:43 PM MM
ENVIRONMENTAL ASSESSMENT:
This is not a project defined under CEQA. Actual construction of a bridge is a project as defined
under CEQA and an environmental analysis will be prepared prior to the construction phase of
the project.
Attachment:
1. Draft RFP with Attachments A (scope of services) and B (sample contract)