Department of Public Works
Reference: 23-007964 Project Update and Contract Amendment for Bridge Street Widening and Utility Infrastructure Project
To: Mayor Gregory Mills and Members of City Council
Through: Michael P. Martinez, City Manager
Prepared By: Kelsey Archuleta, Procurement & Contracts Manager, and Christopher Montoya, Assistant Director of Public Works
Date Prepared: January 1, 2025
PURPOSE
Requesting City Council approval for the amendment of 23-007964 Bridge Street Widening Project by amending the contract with Brannan Sand and Gravel Company, LLC and approving the resolution giving the City Manager, or designee, authority to sign the contract amendment. Per City Code Section 3-8-170, “All change orders or amendments shall be processed through the Finance Department. Department directors shall have authority to approve individual amendments or change orders up to the department director’s aggregate signing authority for the total contract price. The City Manager shall have the authority to approve individual amendments or change orders, in the aggregate, up to the City Manager’s signing authority or up to ten percent (10%) of the original contract amount, whichever is higher. All other amendments or change orders shall be approved by the City Council, as appropriate, based on the signing authority established in this Article.
BACKGROUND
Bridge Street was a former state highway that was transferred to the City of Brighton in 2011. Since that time, several developments have been completed with accompanying public improvements to Bridge Street. Even with public improvements, there was a gap of about 1.5 miles that had not been widened and left a corridor that has not been completed despite growing traffic and the street being one of the key corridors within the City of Brighton, moving approximately 20,000 vehicles per day. The transportation network within the City of Brighton heavily relies on this corridor. In 2022, the project's initial design commenced, identifying the key expansion of Bridge Street from 22nd Avenue to 42nd Avenue. Even though the project was recognized as a transportation project, the scope of the work to complete the expansion would include the following infrastructure and construction efforts: a new 24” waterline, nearly 3 miles of storm sewer pipe including a connection to the regional pond, a minor bridge structure widening, utility ditch crossings, new electrical services, and all the elements associated with a transportation project of this magnitude.
The project has nearly seven miles of underground work, coordination between several entities, and several underground unknowns. Even with current practices of using underground exploration during the design phase, there are limitations with a roadway and existing utilities that are approaching a century old. The Minor Contract Revisions for the project were originally set at $500,000, or about 2.5% of the project cost, where 10-15% may be more appropriate to accommodate unknowns. Some of the key elements of the project that increased costs included new street lighting, regional pond construction, utility crossing of the Brighton Lateral Ditch crossing, underground hazmat, caving trenches at deeper excavations, underground utility conflicts to storm sewer, unsuitable subsurface soils to stabilize for underground infrastructure, and other minor revisions on the project. Since property negotiations were also being acquired concurrently with construction, several negotiations resulted in civil plan modifications with increased costs.
With construction costs escalating, a bid proposal almost 10% below competitors, and expected contract revisions, it was strategic to commence the construction project early and mitigate risks of future project cost increases. Additional scope being added to the project helps complete necessary elements to improve utility infrastructure and regional improvements that are an investment for future development and the transportation network.
The construction project is already 80% completed and will have the majority of the work finished during the next few months. The key construction tasks that remain are the following:
• Brighton Lateral storm sewer ditch crossing (24” pipe)
• Median construction and landscaping
• Traffic signal completion and activation
• Asphalt milling (surface grinding) and paving
• Striping, pavement markings, and signage
• Regional pond added construction of grading and drainage improvements
FINANCIAL IMPACT
Sufficient appropriation exists for the project with a budget amendment.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the City Council approve the request to approve a contract amendment to Brannan Sand and Gravel Company, LLC in the amount of $2,933,000 for a total contract amount of 23,820,084 to complete the added scope of work and finalize the Bridge Street Widening and Utility Infrastructure project.
Options for council consideration
Ø Consider the approval of the amendment of 23-007964
Ø Reject the request
Attachments:
Ø Resolution
Ø Presentation