Meeting_Body
REVISED
PLANNING AND PROGRAMMING COMMITTEE
SEPTEMBER 18, 2024
Subject
SUBJECT: NORTH SAN FERNANDO VALLEY TRANSIT CORRIDOR
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATION
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to execute Modification No. 14 to Contract No. AE49337000 with Arcadis, A California Partnership (formerly IBI Group) in the amount of $3,158,761 for the optional task for preliminary engineering and to advance the design of curb extensions (bus bulbs) or boarding islands as part of the North San Fernando Valley (NSFV) Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) Corridor Project, increasing the contract value from $5,683,973 to $8,842,734, and extend the period of performance from October 31, 2024 through December 31, 2026.
Issue
ISSUE
The North San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor Project continues with the design and implementation of several Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) elements to improve existing transit lines in the San Fernando Valley. However, Board action is required for the existing contract’s optional task for Preliminary Engineering (PE), design services, and to meet the Measure M schedule. Given the objective of Measure M to improve transportation, transit service, and ease traffic congestion in the region, the timely use of funds is Metro’s fiscal responsibility to ensure that Measure M sales tax revenues are spent as quickly as possible according to the requirements of the Measure M Ordinance to realize the benefits of the Measure M Expenditure Plan promised to the people of Los Angeles County. Exercising the current contract’s optional PE task will enable the existing contractor to begin the design process.
Background
BACKGROUND
In May 2018, the Board awarded Contract No. AE49337000 to IBI Group to complete the Planning/Environmental Study for the NSFV BRT Corridor. This contract developed the NSFV BRT project from concept through alternative analysis and environmental clearance following the California Environmental Quality Act (CEQA) guidelines, with an optional task to complete the proposed project's advanced conceptual engineering or PE.
In December 2022, the Board approved the NSFV BRT Network Improvements as the proposed project (Attachment A). This project provided an enhanced bus network to increase connectivity and provide high-quality bus service and transit infrastructure in NSFV communities. The primary corridors enhanced through the BRT Network Improvements include Roscoe Boulevard, Nordhoff Street, and Lankershim Boulevard, with additional improvements planned for Reseda Boulevard, Sherman Way, Vanowen Street, and Victory Boulevard.
Project Description
The NSFV BRT Corridor Project aims to improve speed, reliability, pedestrian safety, and accessibility to riders in the NSFV by installing bus bulbs and boarding islands at Metro bus stops. These bulbs and boarding islands are one of several speed and reliability tools applied to various NSFV bus lines to help reduce travel times. These bus bulbs and boarding islands will also provide more space at bus stops, improving accessibility and allowing the installation of amenities such as shelters, lighting, and information displays. Bus bulbs and boarding islands also allow the bus to stop in the travel lane without pulling out of traffic, removing delays associated with re-entering the traffic lane as the transit driver waits for gaps in traffic. Lastly, bus bulbs shorten pedestrian crossing distances at intersections, improving safety for everyone walking. This shorter crossing distance can also improve the efficiency of the traffic signal and provide more opportunities for transit signal priority.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
Staff is requesting Board action to execute Contract Modification No. 14 for the optional task for preliminary engineering and to extend the period of performance to allow for the design of bus speed improvements in the form of curb extensions (bus bulbs) or boarding islands (the “Project”) at 82 locations in NSFV. Metro requires consultant support in developing design concepts and preparing design plans, such as schematic design concepts, detailed civil design plans, utility composite plans, worksite traffic control plans, and design implementation services.
Planned Coordination Efforts
The consultant will conduct working sessions with Metro, the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Engineering, and the City of Los Angeles Bureau of Street Services (StreetsLA) to discuss concepts and determine the work scope for 82 locations. The project will be divided into phases so that “lessons learned” in previous phases can direct the design of future phases.
If required, the consultant will also be available at in-person outreach presentations in the NSFV. Outreach staff will prepare presentation materials, address public questions related to concepts, and plan drawings/renderings for project outreach.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
The Project will positively impact safety, as patrons waiting for transit will have more space and be more comfortable waiting for service. Accessibility can be improved for passengers' boarding and alighting. For example, the Project will allow buses to reduce weaving out from and into traffic as they approach and leave the bus stop.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
The funds for this action are included in the FY25 budget under Project 496007 (North San Fernando Valley Transit Corridor Project-Curb Improvements), Cost Center 4741, and Task No. 01.MM64.002. There is $6M budgeted for this project/task in FY25.
Impact to Budget
The current source of funds for this action is Measure M Construction 35%. Since this is a multi-year project, the Senior Executive Officer, Service Development, will be responsible for budgeting in future years.
Equity_Platform
EQUITY PLATFORM
This design task supports an improved passenger experience with faster, more reliable service and improved stop amenities in Equity Focus Communities (EFCs). Similar recent and in-progress projects by the City of Los Angeles and Metro have shown that these bus stop improvements can enhance speed, reliability, and accessibility to these corridors. The City of Los Angeles recently completed the Reseda Boulevard Complete Streets Project, which installed bus boarding islands on Reseda Bl in the San Fernando Valley. The boarding islands on Reseda Bl/Victory Bl, Reseda Bl/Saticoy St, and Reseda Bl/Vanowen provide dedicated areas for pedestrians to wait for transit. They are enabling Metro transit to move faster through the Reseda Bl corridor by eliminating the time lost when merging in and out of traffic to stop and board passengers.
The City of Los Angeles is constructing bus bulbs and bus boarding islands on 7th St in downtown LA as part of the 7th Street Streetscape Improvements Project. Lastly, Metro has been awarded funding through the I-405 Corridor Community Bus Service Improvement Program to construct up to 30 bus boarding islands on Venice Bl between Inglewood Bl and Fairfax Av. As considered in the NextGen Bus Plan Speed and Reliability program, this type of improvement will be considered for other corridors where appropriate, such as when bus lanes are not justified and supported by the jurisdiction and community, especially those in EFCs.
The consultant is meeting the Diversity and Economic Opportunity Department (DEOD) Small Business Enterprise (SBE) and Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise (DVBE) goals of commitment for this contract is 22.190% and 3.65%, respectively. The current level of participation is 19.82% SBE and 2.41% DVBE, which has been the result of the change of the nature of the project. The original Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) corridor project involving heavy road and station construction was unable to build community consensus on a BRT corridor. The project then evolved to a quick build type of project improving existing transit lines. This change was approved by the Metro Board in December 2022. The new project does not require the same range of planning and design services. Therefore, the services of the original range of companies in the DEOD summary are no longer required. However, with the proposed scope and fee for Contract Modification No. 14, the contractor anticipates that it will be able increase participation to 22.58% SBE and 4.12% DVBE based on services required for the new project scope.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
This Board action supports the following goals:
• Goal 1: Provide high-quality mobility options that enable people to spend less time traveling
• Goal 2: Deliver outstanding trip experiences for all users of the transportation system
• Goal 3: Enhance communities and lives through mobility and access to opportunity
The program aligns with Metro Vision 2028, where providing high-quality mobility options, delivering outstanding trip experiences for all users, and enhancing mobility and access to opportunities are targeted goals within Metro.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board could elect to not approve this contract modification but Metro would have to seek alternative providers for these design services, which would require a new procurement, resulting in the company's disruption of work on conceptual design for bulbs and boarding islands for this project. In addition, delays to the completion of design work by a year or more would impact the benefits to Metro’s riders and likely cost significantly more to restart the work with a different vendor. This approach is not recommended.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon Board approval, staff will execute Modification No. 14 to Contract No. AE49337000 with Arcadis, A California Partnership, for the optional task for preliminary engineering and to advance the design of curb extensions (bus bulbs) or boarding islands and extend the performance period from October 31, 2024, through December 31, 2026.
Attachments
ATTACHMENTS
Attachment A -Network Improvements Project Map
Attachment B - Procurement Summary
Attachment C - Contract Modification/Change Order Log
Attachment D - DEOD Summary
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Conrad Viana, Senior Manager, Speed & Reliability Tactical Transit Engineering, (213) 922-4814
Fulgene Asuncion, Senior Manager, Countywide Planning &
Development, (213) 922-3025
Joe Forgiarini, Senior Executive Officer, Service Development,
(213) 418-3400
Carolina Coppolo, Deputy Chief Vendor/Contract Management Officer (Interim), (213) 922-4471
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Conan Cheung, Chief Operating Officer, (213) 418-3034
Ray Sosa, Chief Planning Officer, (213) 547-4274
