HomeMy WebLinkAboutRESPONSE - RFP - 7620 DRAKE & SHIELDS INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENTS PROJECTRFP#7620
PROPOSAL
Submitted by:
Interwest Consulting Group
1218 W. Ash St, Suite C
Windsor, CO 80550
Tel 970.674.3300 Fax 970.674.3303
Design Services for
Drake and Shields
Intersection Improvements Project
1218 W. ASH, STE. C, WINDSOR, COLORADO 80550
TEL. 970.674.3300 – FAX 970.674.3303
The Interwest Team Advantage
April 8, 2014
Mr. Gerry S. Paul
Director of Purchasing and Risk Management
City of Fort Collins
215 North Mason Street, 2nd Floor
Fort Collins, CO 80522
RE: Request for Proposal #7620
Drake and Shields Intersection Improvements Project
Dear Mr. Paul:
We appreciate the opportunity to present this proposal to provide engineering design services for
the Drake and Shields Intersection Improvements Project.
Interwest is excited to lead a proven consulting team, with extensive knowledge and experience
working together on projects of this type. Over the past ten years, Interwest has successfully lead
similar teams through intersection improvement projects of comparable size and scope in Fort
Collins and neighboring communities. These similar projects include Timberline and Prospect,
Harmony and College, Harmony and Shields, College and Willox, Madison and Eisenhower in
Loveland, and we have completed the design of Main Street (US 287) and Ken Pratt (SH 119) in
Longmont. All of these projects have met the stated objectives of increasing capacity and
safety, been respectful of adjacent property owners, and been completed on time and within
budget.
Local, Experienced Project Manager
Extensive intersection design with similar project experience
Strong commitment from our Partner Firms
Proven commitment to the City of Fort Collins
We approach every job with the same enthusiasm and professionalism, but most importantly, we
aim to give the client their desired result. In the following proposal, we have outlined what we
consider to be the ‘critical path’ to achieve your desired results within the prescribed timeframe.
We have responded to the various elements of the RFP and we look forward to an opportunity to
discuss this proposal in detail. If you should have any questions, please call us at 970-674-3300.
Sincerely,
Mike Oberlander, P.E., LEED-AP
Project Manager
THE INTERWEST TEAM
SIMILAR PROJECTS/REFERENCES
THE INTERWEST TEAM
Interwest Consulting Group, Inc. (Interwest) founded in 2002, specializes in providing public
and private civil engineering consulting services. Our experienced professional staff provides
services on a wide range of transportation, educational, municipal, institutional, multi-family
residential, commercial, and industrial site development projects. Interwest has the
background and skill set to work exceptionally well with design teams, municipalities and
stakeholders to find innovative strategies and successful solutions. Our project managers have
the professional experience and integrity to lead a well-informed design and development
process which fosters cost effectiveness and creativity, and ultimately results in successful
projects.
Harmony and Shields; Harmony and College Intersection Improvement Projects
City of Fort Collins Engineering On-Call Contract
North Shields Street Corridor Improvements
College Avenue and Willox Lane Intersection
North College Corridor Improvements – Conifer to Willox
Timberline Road Corridor Improvements – Drake to Prospect
Mike Oberlander, P.E., LEED-AP has 19 years of engineering design,
management, planning and construction experience. He has built a strong and
highly regarded reputation working with local municipalities through his
involvement in many progressive, high-profile roadway projects which have
demanded creative, forward-thinking solutions. Mike has been instrumental on
several projects in securing the trust and approval of affected property owners,
and his ability to develop innovative solutions for unique situations will serve
this project, and the City of Fort Collins, as well.
Sara T. Weier, P.E. has 15 years of experience in civil and environmental
engineering design. Her experience includes roadway design including
horizontal and vertical controls and site layout with grading, drainage, and
utilities; completion of Bicycle and Pedestrian Needs Assessments for roadway
projects; and field assessment activities. Sara is skilled in developing cost
estimates for proposed designs and compiling final bid documents.
Erika Schneider, P.E. has 14 years’ experience in civil engineering, land
development, and drainage design. Erika’s drainage experience includes
numerous storm water detention and conveyance system designs and reports
relating to roadway improvements and land development projects. Her resume
includes roadway widening and intersection improvements, residential and
commercial site developments, grading and drainage plans, stormwater
management plans, and erosion and sedimentation control plans. Erika has
extensive experience with the City’s new Low Impact Development
requirements and sustainability practices related to stormwater.
Jon Lofton, LEED-AP has 17 years of experience in civil engineering drafting
and design. He has been responsible for the drafting and design of a variety of
land development and public works projects. His drafting and engineering duties
included structuring all portions of the plans, detailing, roadway plan and
profile, signing and striping plans, intersection detailing and grading plans. Jon
excels at creating drawings that are graphically strong, accurate and easily read
for construction.
THE INTERWEST TEAM
Geocal, Inc. is a professional services engineering firm providing
expertise in geotechnical engineering, geologic hazard assessment,
construction materials testing and inspection, and the environmental
sciences. Geocal has been in business for over 24 years, and completed over 1,500 projects in
Colorado and the western United States, primarily associated with infrastructure and
transportation.
Geocal’s expertise includes foundation design, pavement design and analysis, remediation of
problematic soils, tunnel and GBR level investigations, slope stability analysis, seismic design,
and retaining wall design and analysis. Typical projects include new roadway and bridge
construction, asphalt and concrete overlays, pavement surveys and distress evaluations,
roadway safety improvements and widening projects, pedestrian overpasses, and support
laboratory materials testing services.
Steven M. Bruer, PE, RG, has 21 years of experience in the geotechnical engineering
profession that includes high-level engineering, client service, team leadership, and business
development/management. His technical experience includes the design of earth retention
systems of various types, helical tie back systems, foundations, ground improvement, and
slope stability/stabilization. Steve has done pavement designs using current AASHTO, CDOT,
and MGPEC procedures and has undergone training for the planned CDOT use of the
mechanistic approach to pavement design and performance.
LCR 50 (Willox Lane) Bridge over Larimer and Weld Canal
SH 119 at Airport Road Underpass, Boulder County
United States Infrastructure Corporation, dba Safe Site, is the nation's
leading provider of underground location and subsurface engineering
services. During the past ten years, Safe Site has helped countless
companies locate and plan for underground utilities, resulting in the
savings of millions of dollars, reduced property and facility damages and
increased job safety. Using GPS and GPR technology, and located in Loveland, Safe Site
provides timely and accurate service. They will provide both utility locates for surveying and
utility potholing on the project as needed.
THE INTERWEST TEAM
Smith Environmental & Engineering (Smith), incorporated in May 2000,
provides environmental services to public agencies throughout Colorado and
the western United States. Smith specializes in services (studies, permitting,
design, and construction) to CDOT and for transportation projects. Smith has
completed numerous environmental analyses, authored NEPA documents, and obtained
clearances/permits on over 700 environmental projects in the last 14 years, of which 300 were
transportation projects in Colorado. The Smith staff of 25 is comprised of scientists, engineers,
cultural resource specialists, and construction personnel, most of whom are certified
professionals in their respective field(s) of expertise.
Mikael Catanese, Certified Arborist, has more than 12 years of experience as a natural
resource scientist. As a Certified Arborist he has conducted tree/forest investigations,
removed trees, provided pruning and tree removal recommendations, and wildfire hazard
assessments and management plans. Mr. Catanese is a long time resident of Fort Collins and
has contributed to several technical reports. He will act as Smith’s Project Manager for the
Drake and Shields intersection project.
I-225 Rail Line Design Build Tree Assessment
Fort Collins Natural Areas Program
SH7 – Arapahoe Road Tree Assessment, Boulder
Andrew S. Ricker, Senior Environmental Scientist, has over 24 years of experience. His
experience includes the management and supervision of all aspects of noise monitoring and
modeling reports. He is proficient with the use of Type I sound level meters and data
recorders. His qualifications include the design, managing and implementing of noise, odor, air
quality (hot spot) analyses, lead-based paint, and asbestos surveys. Mr. Ricker's project
experience includes the interpretation of field investigation data and generation of
comprehensive reports for submission to clients and Federal and State environmental
agencies, including Noise modeling, noise wall benefit cost analyses, Site Characterization
Reports, Site Restoration Reports, Hot Spot Analysis reports, Corrective Action Plans, Work
Plans, Sampling Plans, Health and Safety Plans.
Harmony Road and Shield Street Intersection Hot Spot analysis and Noise Analysis
Sheridan Blvd - 69
th
to 72
nd
Avenue Hot Spot Analysis, Westminster
Sheridan Blvd and 104
th
Avenue Improvements Hot Spot analysis, Westminster
Dr. Bob Mutaw, Principal Investigator, has more than 35 years of experience in all phases of
cultural resources management. He has managed numerous investigations including files
searches and literature reviews, surveys, testing, excavations, architectural evaluations, and
HABS documentation. He has assisted federal agencies with SHPO and Native American
consultation and preparation of Memoranda of Agreement and Programmatic Agreements. His
experience includes projects throughout the western U.S., and in Japan and South Korea. He
has been involved in over 500 small to large-scale cultural resources management projects.
Dry Creek Drainage Improvement Project, Larimer County
W 60th Avenue Realignment, Adams County
CDOT, US 287 Berthoud Bypass, Larimer County
FEMA, Spring Creek Pre-disaster Mitigation EA, Larimer County
US Bureau of Reclamation, Horsetooth Reservoir, Larimer County
THE INTERWEST TEAM
BHA Design Inc. (BHA) is a Fort Collins based landscape architecture firm
established in January of 1993. BHA provides urban design, landscape
architecture, master planning, image development, sign/way finding design,
and public outreach to both public and private clients in a variety of settings. BHA creates
community-based designs that are sustainable, restorative, and believes these are each
essential ingredients to creating a better world.
BHA has extensive experience with streetscape design and redevelopment including design,
planning and assisting the design team through the public process. They have a great deal of
experience working with public agencies and adjacent property owners to help provide a
seamless transition from the new intersection improvements to the adjacent businesses and
residential areas. Below are a few of the relevant projects BHA has been involved with:
Harmony and Shields Intersection Improvements
Harmony and College Intersection Improvements
North College Corridor Improvements
Timberline Road Streetscapes
North Shields Corridor Improvements
US 287 and SH 119 Intersection Improvements, Longmont
Roger Sherman, PLA, Roger joins the team for this effort because of the
depth of his design implementation experience in downtown and urban
settings. His work in downtown Fort Collins includes the Linden Street
Improvements, Poudre River Downtown Project, College Avenue Streetscape,
Mawson Block, the City Office Building, Tenney Court Alley Renovation, and
Mitchell Block. Roger has been responsible for managing and coordinating
many of these projects for BHA from conceptual design through construction.
Jason Messaros, PLA is an associate landscape architect with BHA Design with
over 11 years of experience as a landscape architect. He draws creative
inspiration from his local and overseas travel and life experiences. He has
organized, managed and designed a variety of projects involving site design,
master planning, public presentations, and obtaining project approvals and
entitlement. Mr. Messaros also specializes in graphic design and digital
methods including extensive use of Adobe CS6 and SketchUp for 3-D modeling
and photo simulation.
THE INTERWEST TEAM
Hines Irrigation Consultants, Inc. (Hines) provides professional irrigation and
water feature consulting and design services to Municipalities, State and
Federal agencies, Contractors, Land Developers, Landscape Architects, and
Civil Engineering firms throughout the region. Their reputation quickly grew by
providing creative solutions to difficult design and construction challenges for a growing
clientele located in the challenging Western United States, including Texas, and California.
Their reputation is based upon the delivery of quality, and cost-effective design services - on
time. Applying engineering principles to the design of efficient water delivery, mechanical
systems, and sprinkler irrigation systems, they have successfully addressed the water
management needs of a wide variety of clients.
James Nathan (Nate) Hines C.I.D., CLIA graduated from the University of
Oxford receiving a first class designation for his senior thesis. While living in
the UK, Nate managed a number of international projects in London, the
Mediterranean, and the Middle East. Nate is highly recognized for his work
integrating sustainable solutions into the design process of large scale and
unique projects by working closely with the planning team during the Design
Development phase of a project. As Principal for the Company, Nate’s
responsibilities include working closely with project owner and design team
to develop cost effective, conservation-minded approaches to the wise
stewardship of water resources.
Linden Street Improvements Project
Fort Collins Alleyways Project
7
th
Street Streetscape – Glenwood Springs
Loveland Downtown Streetscape Master Plan
ESC Engineering (ESC) offers powerful results and a personal
approach. Founded in 1978 and employee-owned, ESC is an
electrical engineering consulting firm providing services such as
engineering and design, planning, control systems and
automation integration, and geographic technology development.
Yancy Schneider, P.E. is an engineer within ESC’s Electrical Infrastructure
Group and specializes in primarily industrial and commercial power and
lighting design. He has experience in field data collection, reviewing the
data, assisting with creating the initial system model and power systems
designs for electrical infrastructure upgrades. He has been and is currently
working on a number of Arc Flash Studies. Mr. Schneider has over fifteen
years of broad technical experience as an Electrical Engineering Consultant.
He also has over five years of experience on design modifications,
evaluations, calculations, and design reviews including equipment and
drawing database updates, project scoping reports, engineering reports, and condition
reports.
Fort Collins Country Club Remodel and Addition
City of Westminster Reuse Master Plan
North College Corridor Improvements, Conifer to Willox
THE INTERWEST TEAM
LARSEN Structural Design (Larsen) is a service-oriented structural
engineering firm that brings professional knowledge, practical
experience and superior documentation to each end every project.
Larsen is based in Old Town Square in Fort Collins and the majority of their work is centered in
Fort Collins and Northern Colorado. Larsen’s goal is to help create outstanding projects. They
do this by taking a team centered approach, give an exceptional level of service to our clients
and other consultants, and always provide uncompromising quality and safety to the public.
Blake R. Larsen, P.E., LEED AP brings 16 years’ experience in the industry,
tremendous knowledge in steel, wood and concrete structures, and nearly a
lifetime of person experience living in Fort Collins. Blake is one of the few
structural engineers that is a LEED Accredited Professional. Blake’s
engineering skills shine in his ability to take on the challenging projects
where many different variables need to be considered far beyond the
structure. He has frequently teamed with both Interwest and BHA on local
projects, and is adept at providing services on an on-call basis.
Blake has participated in numerous municipal projects in Northern Colorado with City of Fort
Collins, Larimer County, CDOT, along with local university governments at CSU, FRCC, and
Poudre School District. Blake brings knowledge of the project area, it’s architectural history
and character, and it’s importance to the City of Fort Collins.
Linden Street Improvements
Willow Street Apartments
Block One in the River District
SIMILAR PROJECTS / REFERENCES
Team Firms Project
Interwest
BHA
ESC
Hines
Harmony and College Intersection Improvements
2010
Interwest led the team which
completed the CDOT FIR and FOR
plans required for improvements to
the intersection of two major
arterials, College Avenue (SH287)
and Harmony Road. This extremely
complicated project included
coordination with the City and CDOT
regarding CDOT right-of-way plans,
drainage design requiring new
stormwater separators, extensive pothole coordination and
documentation, structural engineering services to support Urban
Design features, aggressive schedule demands and a complex
construction phasing schedule due to the high volumes of traffic on
both roads. A great deal of coordination and communication was
also required with the adjacent property owners affected by the
intersection design and construction.
Reference:
Mr. Dean Klingner
City of Fort Collins, Engineering
970.221.6511
dklingner@fcgov.com
Interwest
BHA
North Shields Corridor Improvements
2015 (anticipated)
Interwest is leading the team
providing civil engineering and
design for this ¾-mile long project
which addressed multiple access
and safety issues along this busy
corridor. Challenges include
widening the roadway, utility
relocations, adding bicycle and
pedestrian facilities (bike lanes and
sidewalks), providing improved
access to and parking for the Poudre River Trail, and replacing the
existing structurally deficient bridge over the Poudre River.
Reference:
Mr. Ron Winne
Larimer County, Engineering Department
970.498.5713
rwinne@larimer.org
SIMILAR PROJECTS / REFERENCES
Interwest
BHA
ESC
Hines
North College Corridor – Conifer to Willox
2014 (anticipated)
Interwest is leading the design team
on this very high profile and
difficult project addresses
improvements to the ‘northern
gateway’ to the City of Fort Collins.
Multiple challenges include
significant access control definition
and consolidation, improving safety
for motorists, pedestrians, cyclists
and transits users, utility
coordination, and incorporating urban design and landscape
features. Comprehensive and detailed phasing and traffic control
plans are essential, as is extensive communication with affected
business and property owners.
Reference:
Mr. Kyle Lambrecht
City of Fort Collins, Engineering Department
970.221.6566
klambrecht@fcgov.com
Interwest
BHA
ESC
Hines
65th Avenue South of US34 Bypass, Greeley
2013
Interwest led the design team on
this project which entailed roadway
and intersection improvements
serving both commercial and
residential areas. Interwest
provided preliminary design for the
approximately one mile corridor,
and final design for a quarter-mile
segment including roadway
widening, the addition of sidewalks
and medians, and design of stormwater improvements. Interwest
also provided plans, specifications and estimates required for
bidding and construction.
Reference:
Mr. Rafael Samaniego
City of Greeley, Engineering Department
970.336.4122
rafael.samaniego@greeleygov.com
PROPOSED DESIGN SCOPE
PROPOSED DESIGN SCHEDULE
INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT CONCEPT
INTERWEST TEAM PROPOSED DESIGN SCOPE
Scope and Schedule Considerations
The Interwest Team is committed to meeting the City’s requirements for the Drake and
Shields Intersection Improvements Project. All of the RFP goals are achievable, including
improving air quality and safety at the intersection, with the addition of right turn lanes
northbound and southbound. The most challenging of the goals set forth in the RFP is
meeting the City’s schedule with respect to the CDOT Right of Way process.
The project will require additional road right of way and
temporary construction easements on the northwest and
southeast quadrants of the intersection to meet its stated
purpose and need. There are potentially three parcels
impacted on the northwest quadrant of the intersection in
the Raintree Commercial PUD. Tract B (in the corner) has
two owners and is a blanket utility, drainage, and access
easement. Qdoba owns Tract A (on the north side of Tract
B). There is only one parcel impacted on the southeast
side of the project; it is the common space for the Cimarron Square Homeowner’s
Association. This parcel is a blanket utility easement. The blanket easements on both
corners will give the team more flexibility related to possible utility relocations.
The key to optimizing the project schedule and budget is
to limit the number of parcels requiring the acquisition
process. We have assumed that the necessary
improvements on the northeast and southwest corners of
the intersection will be achievable within existing right of
way and easements. There are existing buildings very
close to the right of way in the southwest quadrant and a
large electric transmission tower in the northeast corner.
Significant modifications that affect either of these
features will be difficult within the project’s budget. We have also made an educated
assumption that the NEPA CatEx clearance process will go smoothly and that an FHWA 4(f)
process for cultural resources will not be required. If any of the clearance processes
result in a delay in the start of right of way acquisition, the design schedule will be
delayed.
Our proposed schedule includes a six-month right of way acquisition process and a two-
month allowance for drafting and approval of the CDOT Right of Way Plans. Working back
from an April 2015 bid, the drafting of the Right of Way Plans must start in August of
2014. The schedule includes intense conceptual and preliminary design work as well as
clearance efforts in June and July of 2014 so that City approval of the final horizontal
layout can occur in mid-August. City review and decision-making will be critical
throughout the first few months of the project to keep the schedule on track.
The organization of the proposed design schedule differs slightly from the specific order
laid out in the RFP. These changes allow the project to meet the deadlines stated in the
RFP. The following tasks describe the work proposed by Interwest to achieve the project
goals:
INTERWEST TEAM PROPOSED DESIGN SCOPE
Project Kickoff Phase
The City will provide Interwest with a Notice of Award by May 1, 2014. Interwest, Smith
Environmental (Smith), and Safe Site will proceed to work for the following two weeks
first to validate the conceptual design prepared with the Intersection Prioritization Study,
and then to research all available data and studies to narrow the scope of the project as it
relates to roadway, utility, and clearance requirements. This time will include reviewing
existing survey data and utility information to determine what, if anything, is missing
from the mapping, and meeting with CDOT Environmental in the field to determine which
items on the CDOT 128 Form (CatEx) can be cleared by CDOT and which will be the team’s
responsibility.
The project’s landscape and urban design effort will be led
by BHA Design (BHA) with the support of Hines Irrigation
Consultants (Hines), ESC Engineering (ESC), and Larsen
Structural Design (Larsen). This intersection is not
identified as a gateway project, but it is a priority of the
City to add aesthetic appeal and interest to these locations
when capital projects are built. BHA will work with the
City to determine the budget for the landscape and urban
design enhancements and then work with the design team
to finalize and scope and design fee that will meet the project goal.
With the background research and project design validation completed, Interwest will
quickly prepare a scope and fee estimate for the City contract. This entire scoping
process should take no longer than four weeks from Notice of Award.
At the end of the project kickoff phase, Safe Site will locate or re-locate any utilities in
the intersection that were suspect or missing during the research phase, and the City will
survey the utilities and any other items not in the original survey.
Immediately after the contract is signed, Smith’s historian,
Dr. Bob Mutaw, will assess the project site for cultural
resources based on the conceptual intersection design and
anticipated limits of impact. He will coordinate his
findings with CDOT Region 4. The areas immediately
adjacent to the intersection were all developed in the
1980’s, and assuming the project limits do not change
significantly, we do not anticipate that there are any
eligible properties that will require further investigation or
processes. In the event that an eligible resource is impacted, the team is prepared to
complete all required studies and requirements.
INTERWEST TEAM PROPOSED DESIGN SCOPE
Preliminary Engineering Phase
Smith will be responsible for all clearance activities with the project. The historic
clearance discussed above is highlighted because of its potential impact to the project
schedule if an eligible property is impacted. Several other clearances of note will be
required because of the project’s location. A hot spot analysis for air quality will be
required because of the existing level of service at the intersection. The purpose of the
project is to improve air quality and we do not anticipate any issue with the hot spot
analysis clearance.
A noise study will also be required because of the
residential building adjacent to the proposed northbound
right turn lane. The noise study is of some concern
because of the very close proximity of the building to
Shields. This study is triggered whenever traffic is moved
closer to a residential structure, and if this proximity of
the traffic triggers unacceptable noise levels, mitigation
may be required. It is impossible to know at this time if
the thresholds for mitigation will be exceeded. If the
study shows that the levels are too high, a cost benefit analysis of the mitigation is
required. More often than not, mitigation is ultimately not required on local projects
because of the cost benefit analysis. It again is our assumption that sound mitigation (a
noise wall) will not be needed based on our experience with this clearance on projects of
this type.
None of the other clearance items are of concern to the team. Smith will prepare an ISA
for the project area. We do not expect issues with this environmental study because of
the project location. There do not appear to be any wetlands or other biological
resources in the area.
GeoCal is the geotechnical engineer for this project. They
will be responsible for a pavement design report for the
intersection per LCUASS Standards. They will assess the
existing pavement structure and make recommendations
for both an asphalt roadway and also a concrete
intersection. A concrete intersection would be preferred
by the City and the Team, and it will be studied with all
cost estimates as the project budget will ultimately dictate
if this improvement is appropriate.
Throughout the preliminary design phase, Interwest and BHA will work with City to solidify
the geometry of the roadway, walk, and bicycle improvements and provide a cost
effective means of adding urban design to the intersection. The urban design component
will build on existing architecture in the area and create a character for the intersection.
Part of this design may include enhancements in the pedestrian and bike zones to better
segregate modes of transportation and improve the safety of the intersection along with
the aesthetics. Two concepts of the roadway, urban design, and landscape design will be
provided with this effort. Conceptual level costs will be determined for each design.
INTERWEST TEAM PROPOSED DESIGN SCOPE
There are multiple design options for the project. The
first approach is to follow the conceptual design from the
Intersection Prioritization Study. This simply widened the
roadway 12’ for the new right turn lanes, and added a
detached sidewalk. This is likely the most cost effective
alternative, but may not adequately enhance safety in the
intersection for bicycles and pedestrians. We would like to
investigate the concept of adding corner islands at the new
right turn lanes to further improve the bike and pedestrian
condition at the intersection. Small corner islands were added to the Harmony and
College intersection in 2010 with great success. The islands reduce the length of the
crosswalk, eliminate the need for a median refuge, and remove some of the inevitable
conflict points between crossing pedestrians and vehicles. Ideally, corner islands would
be added to all corners of the intersection, but this may not be feasible because of
physical constraints and the project budget. The attached exhibit illustrates this concept
for the new right turn lanes with the addition of corner islands.
In the Prioritization Study, the Davidson Drive ¾ movement intersection improvement
adds a very small ribbon median to limit turns. We would like to explore options with
“porkchop” islands on Davidson Drive to similarly limit movements, but keep the majority
of the construction out of the middle of Shields Street. This conceptual intersection
design is also shown on the attached exhibit.
There are many mature trees within the project area, and
Smith’s Arborist, Mikael Catanese, will be responsible for
tree mitigation and protection plans for the project.
Interwest and Smith will collaborate to find a design that
minimizes impacts to the existing trees so that protection,
rather than removal and mitigation, can be the focus.
Interwest and BHA will be the City’s partner for all of the
public outreach and open houses discussed in the RFP. We
have a long combined history of working as a team to communicate projects and their
impacts to all stakeholders. The project schedule lists the first open house at the
completion of the two intersection/urban design concepts. This milestone is also the
point when the concepts and cost estimates will be presented to the City for final
conceptual review. Based on the input from the team, and the feedback from the City
and public, the footprint for the project will be solidified in August of 2014.
With a firm project footprint, Interwest will immediately prepare a right of way and
easement map for the City Survey Department. We will work with the City to determine
the parcel numbering and prepare the Right of Way Plans for submittal to CDOT. A
successful strategy that we have implemented in the past includes getting slightly larger
right of way and easement parcels so that in the event of a minor design change, the right
of way plans are still adequate.
INTERWEST TEAM PROPOSED DESIGN SCOPE
Along with the Right of Way Plan drafting task, Interwest
and the BHA team will proceed with the required
documents for the CDOT FIR submittal. This will include
all plan items listed in the RFP, as well as an outline of
anticipated specifications and a CDOT format summary of
quantities and cost estimate. The initial drainage report
will be prepared at this time. Drainage infrastructure
exists in the intersection, so there is the ability to create
water quality areas with a positive drainage outfall. New
drainage infrastructure is the most likely component of the project to interfere with
existing utilities. We have moved the utility potholing effort from the Kickoff phase to
the FIR phase of the project so that we can pothole the area with knowledge of the
proposed street and storm drainage design.
We currently plan to submit FIR plans for review on October 1, 2014 and have allowed
four weeks for review and the FIR meeting. Right of Way Plans will be approved in
October as well, and to meet the construction schedule the City will need to initiate the
acquisition process immediately upon receiving approved Right of Way Plans from CDOT.
Final Engineering Phase
FOR plan and specification preparation will take place
immediately after the FIR meeting with the City and CDOT.
This iteration of plan preparation will advance the plans to
a construction level. Additions to the plans at this stage
will include profiles of storm pipes and water quality
features, detailing of new medians and islands, grading
plans with spot elevations (particularly in handicap access
paths, at ramps, and around urban design features), and
fully developed cross sections for earthwork quantities.
Tabulation sheets will also be prepared as a part of the FOR plans, which quantify all pay
items and their location in the intersection. The creation of tabulation sheets is a critical
quality control step at Interwest. During conceptual design the FIR phase, quantity
takeoffs and cost estimates are completed on an overall project basis. When the
tabulation sheets are created, and the project is broken into pieces, we get a critical
check of the overall project quantities versus the sum of the smaller quantities developed
with the tabulation sheets. Another critical check between FIR and FOR is the
development of a 3D model based on the profiles created for the curbs. The model allows
the designers to create 0.1 foot contours and find areas in the design that may have a
vertical error. The model is also used to back check any spot elevations by verifying that
the spot is in the right location compared to the 0.1 foot contours. Horizontal alignments
are simply checked on a full size print by hand with a scale. This combination of low tech
and high tech methods of cross checking and back checking the design and the quantities
has proven very successful on Interwest projects. We invite you to contact our references
with regard to the quality of the construction documents we prepare.
INTERWEST TEAM PROPOSED DESIGN SCOPE
Along with various clearances and the urgency of the Right
of Way Plan approval, utilities often prove to be a
challenge on intersection widening projects. Safe Site and
Interwest have the knowledge and experience to solve
utility issues that arise during the FIR and FOR plan
preparation. This project enjoys the benefit of blanket
utility easements adjacent to both new turn lanes,
offering a great deal in design flexibility and serving to
accelerate the relocation design as the Right of Way Plans
will be able to proceed prior to determining every relocation. During the FOR phase of
design, Interwest will prepare an exhibit for a utility coordination meeting where exact
locations for utility relocations are called out along with the responsible party. At this
meeting, it will be the goal of the team to set firm dates for relocations. In the past, the
City’s inspectors have played a valuable role in spearheading utility locates prior to
bidding the project; we hope that this same method can be used for Drake and Shields.
The FOR submittal is scheduled for February 1, 2015, with four weeks allotted for CDOT
and City review. Immediately after the FOR meeting, the second open house is planned
to reconnect with the public and especially impacted property owners. March of 2015 is
dedicated to final property acquisition and preparation of the “For Bid” documents.
These plans will be ready and waiting to bid immediately upon the completion of the right
of way acquisition in April of 2015.
The following pages include the detailed schedule which corresponds to the above scope,
as well as a conceptual exhibit highlighting design modifications Interwest will explore
during the conceptual design phase of the project. The Interwest team is eager and
prepared to take on this project and its aggressive schedule. With the roadmap laid out
here, and the commitment of the City, we feel that a 2015 construction is achievable.
PROJECT KICK-OFF PHASE
Notice of Award - May 1, 2014
Review Existing Survey and Utility Information
Review Existing Conceptual Design & Validate w/ City
Meet CDOT Environmental - Scope CatEx Needs
Scope, Sign Contract and Commence Project
Intersection Utility Locates (paint - Safe Site)
Additional Topographic Survey (City)
Historic Assessment of Project Area (Assumed Clear)
PRELIMINARY ENGINEERING PHASE
Noise Study and Hot Spot Analysis (Assumed Clear)
Misc. CatEx Clearances (ISA (Lead Paint), Biological, etc.)
Geotechnical Engineering Report and Pavement Design
Urban Design and Intersection Layout Concepts (2)
Conceptual Design Cost Estimates (2)
Tree Mitigation Plan for Each Design Concept
Open House
City Review - Final Horizontal Layout and ROW Needs Approved
Right of Way Plans Drafted and Approved (Legals by City)
Impacted Utility Potholes / Relocation Coordination
FIR Roadway and Urban Design Plans / Preliminary Phasing
Drainage Report / Water Quality and Outfall Design
FIR Summary of Quantities and Cost Estimate
FIR Specification Outline
FIR Submittal, Review and Meeting
Right of Way Notices, Negotiation, and Acquisition (by City)
FINAL ENGINEERING PHASE
FOR Roadway Plans and Specifications
Final Drainage Report and SWMP Preparation
Final Tabulation Sheets, Summary of Quantities and Estimate
Final Utility Coordination Plans w/ Responsible Party
Final Landscape, Irrigation and Urban Design Plans
FOR Submittal, Review and Meeting
Open House
Prepare All Documents "For Bidding"
Bid and Award to Contractor
Begin Construction
Nov-14 Dec-14 Jan-15 Feb-15 Mar-15 Apr-15 Jun-15
Drake and Shields Intersection Improvements Project
Interwest Team - Proposed Design Schedule
May-14 Jun-14 Jul-14 Aug-14 Sep-14 Oct-14 May-15
INTERSECTION IMPROVEMENT
SAMPLE PLANS
KEN PRATT (SH 119) AND MAIN STREET (US 287)
LONGMONT, COLORADO