CR 99-219 Approve Design Services Agreement-Mainstreet/17th Avenue Traffic Signal Upgrade
\ i Y 0
m
-So '"
o P K \ ~
December 2, 1999
Council Report 99-219
Approve Design Services Agreement - MainstreeU1 th Avenue Traffic Signal Upgrade
Proposed Action.
Staff recommends adoption of the following motion: Move that Council authorize the
Mavor and City Manaaer to enter into an aareement with Bolton & Menk. Inc. for
enaineerina services reaardina a traffic sianal uparade for the intersection of Mainstreet
and 1 th Avenue.
Overview.
There is a history of a much higher relative accident and near-miss rate at this
intersection when compared to the other Mainstreet intersections. The Police
Department has spoken with many drivers who've experienced accidents at this
intersection and most cite a contributing cause being difficulty seeing the traffic signal
lights. Public Works has trimmed the boulevard trees, installed advance signal signs
and adjusted the heights of the pedestrian crossing signs. None of these measures
have improved the visibility of the traffic signals enough to lower the accident rate. Staff
is now requesting Council approval to design modifications to improve signal visibility.
Primary Issues to Consider.
. Design cost: The cost of the engineering services is $8,960.00 (Bolton & Menk, Inc.
fee, as shown on the attached letter, is $12,500, but the city would perform the traffic
counts and signal justification report thus reducing the total fee to $8,960)
. Project cosUfunding: The CIP estimates the project cost at $75,000 to be funded
from the city's municipal state aid account.
. Signal system design & aesthetics: It is important that modifications achieve the
goal of improving visibility (safety) and that the new system is compatible with the
Mainstreet streetscape theme. Bolton & Menk and city staff will investigate
alternatives regarding decorative poles and mast arms. City Council will approve the
proposed final design.
SUPDortina Information.
. Bolton & Menk, I c. letter
. Police Dept m m - May 27, 1998
\
5\;
,
Steven J. Stadler, Public Works Director
DEC-01-88 WED 15:45
BOLTON & MENK, I NC
FAX NO, 6128808065
p, 02
\
E30L- Tc:.)("..J &- I'V1 E:I'-J ~ / II'JC:-
Consulting Engineers Be Surveyors
1515 East Highway 13 . Burnsvllle. MN 55337-6857
Phone (612) 890-0509. FAX (612) 890-8065
October 14, 1999
Mr. Steve Stadler, P.E.
Public Works Director
1010 First Street South
Hopkins, :tv1N 55343
Re: Proposal for Design Services
Signal System Revision
Main Street and 17th Avenue
City of Hopkins, MN
BMI Project No. Tl1.20078
Dear Mr. Stadler:
We are pleased to offer the following proposal for the above referenced project. This proposal is
based upon our discussion ofthis project last week. As a part ofthis proposal, we have reiterated
the scope of work and have include<i an estimate of fees for our professional engineering services.
Scope of Work
Currently, the signal system at the intersection of Main Street and 17th Avenue is a pretimed system
with EVP and consists of four standard pedestal-type signal poles with no mast arms. The City is
interested in replaclng the existing pedestals with decorative signal poles and mast arms. The final
plans will consist of a signal layout plan and a wiring diagram plan.
BMI will research the availability of decorative signal systems and \\'ill meet with City staff in order
to discuss and choose the desired. style. If possible, the existing signal heads, pedestrian signals, and
luminaires will be salvaged and replaced upon the new signal poles. BMI will research the
feasibility ofreusing these items and inform the City of its options. It is anticipated that the existing
controler and cabinet will not have to be manipulated to facilitate these improvements.
At this time it is anticipated that a signal justification report will be necessary for this project. BMI
will retrieve the necessary traffic counts needed for the preparation of this report if this infonnation
is not available from the City. 24-hour counts along each of the approach lanes are required, The
report will then be prepared and submitted to State Aid for their review and approval.
Other work which will be completed as a part of the design includes verifying the adequacy of the
existing pole foundations and redesigning if necessary, modifying the existing wiring diagram as
necessary to account for the relocation of existing signal heads, EVP, the need for additional heads,
and redesigning the existing conduit system as necessary to accommodate any new wiring. All plans
will be completed meeting State Aid standards and will be submitted to State Aid for their review
and approval. A cost estimate and construction specifications for the improvements will also be
provided.
MANKATO. MN
FAIRMONI MN
SLEEPY EYE, MN BURNSVILLE, MN
An Equal Opportunity Employer
L1BER1Y, MO
AMES.IA
DEC-01-99 WED 15:46
SOL TON & MENK I I NC
FAX NO. 6128808065
P. 03
Finally. BMI will provide bidding assistance. construction management. and periodic construction
observation services at an hourly rate.
Estimate of Fees
The estimate of fees is item.ized as follows:
A. Research (Including checking availability of decorative signals;
check feasibility of retrofitting existing heads; meet wi City to discuss.) $ 860.00
B. Furnish and install traffic counters for 24 hours. Download and
analyze counter data. $1040.00
C. Prepare Signal Justification Report $2500.00
D. Design! Specifications $5030.00
E. Cost Estimate $ 570.00
F. Bidding and Construction Administration $2500.00
TOTAL ESTIMATED FEES
$12,500.00
The sununation of items A through E is a not-to-exceed estimate. Item F is an estimate based on an
hourly rate of$G5/hour. Ifit turns out that a signal justification report is unnecessary or the City is
able to furnish the required traffic data. items Band/or C of the fee estimate may be removed from
the total estimated cost.
If you have any questions or would require additional infonnation regarding this proposal, please
do not hesitate to call. Thank you again, Steve, for allowing Bolton & Menk to be of service to you
and the City of Hopkins.
Sincerely yours,
BOLTON & MENK, We.
~~_/
Project Manager
'111 Q.A.~ If 'M~~
Marcus A. Thomas, P.E.
Project Engineer
F'\l-l()PJ(\Tlll0078\$,Z"~1 ?ropos~1 10] 1 99.wpd
I POLICE DEPARTMENT I
Memorandum
;
To:
From:
Date:
Subject:
Captain Liddy
Sergeant Hafermann
May 27, 1998
'VL.ft1. - P'lI If(~v-,
fkr> 0':' 1-P f
1/111 f)...v-J rAtL +- ?
{JL rl U e.. cb J'l-L .
J t '~----
Traffic Signals at 17th Avenue & Mainstreet
Regarding our previous conversation about the numerous accidents that have occurred
at the intersection of 17th & Main, I will once again reiterate my findings after spending
a great deal of time both watching and investigating accidents at that location. It is my
belief that, first of all, the tree, the lamp post and other obstructions that are along
Mainstreet, particularly approaching westbound, obstruct the traffic signal in such a
manner that until you are within 1/2 block of the intersection, the signal is not visible.
There is also a problem during the morning and afternoon in which the sun is at such a
level that it also obstructs drivers' views of the signals at this intersection.
On at least four occasions so far this Spring, I have responded to traffic accidents in
which a driver that was westbound on Mainstreet went through the red light and struck
a driver that was either north or southbound on 17th Avenue. In all four cases, the
driver who went through the light indicated that first of all they were not from this area or
familiar with the street and second that they did not see the traffic signal until they were
right in the intersection and it was too late to stop.
I
Over the years, we have continued to have numerous traffic accidents at this location
and received complaints from drivers that it was difficult to see and read the lights. I
feel that the only viable alternative to the continuation of accidents at this intersection is
to place overhead traffic signals which would be visible from a much greater distance
because they would be over the center of the street and be free of any of the
obstructions along the sidewalk such as sign posts, trees, etc.
Please give this your attention and let me know if you need any further information.