Meeting_Body
CONSTRUCTION COMMITTEE
JANUARY 16, 2020
Subject
SUBJECT: CONSTRUCTION ZONE ENHANCED ENFORCEMENT PROGRAM (COZEEP) SERVICES
Action
ACTION: APPROVE RECOMMENDATIONS
Heading
RECOMMENDATION
Title
AUTHORIZE the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) to:
A. Enter into an Interagency Agreement with California Highway Patrol (CHP) for Construction Zone Enhanced Enforcement Program (COZEEP) task order services for an amount of $6,000,000; and
B. Execute all necessary changes and task orders required to administer the agreement.
Issue
ISSUE
With the passage of Measure M and Senate Bill 1 (SB 1), the Metro Highway Program has seen an increase in the number and scope of highway improvement projects within Los Angeles County, a trend that will continue for the foreseeable future. In addition to performing environmental clearance and design plans and specifications functions, Metro is also undertaking the procurement and administration of the construction phase of these projects. With construction activities occurring near and within active highways and roadways, ensuring the safety of workers, motorists, and communities remains a top priority. One safety practice employed is the use of supplemental California Highway Patrol (CHP) units to assist in the enforcement of speed restrictions and provide faster incident response under the Construction Zone Enhanced Enforcement Program (COZEEP) in selected work zones.
Currently, Metro highway projects utilize COZEEP services under an existing agreement between California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) and CHP. To streamline administrative processes and attain organization autonomy over contractual arrangements, staff recommends entering into an Interagency Agreement directly with CHP.
Discussion
DISCUSSION
The Metro Highway Program consists of more than a dozen distinct programs and projects across Los Angeles County, accounting for over $20 billion in capital project costs through 2039. Highway projects include soundwall construction, intersection and interchange enhancements, signal synchronization, High Occupancy Vehicle (HOV) lane construction, and lane widening. These projects contribute to an array of regional benefits including enhanced traffic flow and motorist safety, congestion reduction, and economic and mobility benefits.
Construction activities frequently occur on or near active highways and roadways, requiring the use of additional safety measures that may not normally be utilized on other types of Metro projects. One such measure is the use of the Construction Zone Enhanced Enforcement Program (COZEEP), wherein supplemental CHP units assist in the enforcement of speed restrictions and provide faster incident response. Under COZEEP, CHP units are dispatched to selected work zones under specific circumstances (e.g. during a nighttime closure of two or more lanes on a freeway) to assist with traffic flow. Use of supplemental CHP units enhances safety for construction workers, motorists, and surrounding communities.
When construction conditions deem it necessary, COZEEP services are utilized under an existing agreement between Caltrans and CHP on a project specific task order basis. Currently, in order for COZEEP services to be utilized on a Metro highway project, additional coordination is required between Metro and Caltrans. When a Metro administered highway project utilizes COZEEP services, Metro receives an invoice once it has been routed through Caltrans, resulting in administrative inefficiencies and reduced transparency. Metro highway projects effectively have less control of costs in under this scenario.
To overcome these challenges, staff recommends entering into an Interagency Agreement directly with CHP for COZEEP services. Under this agreement, Metro has the sole discretion in determining when to request COZEEP services on a particular project, per the Caltrans Construction Manual. Metro staff may request COZEEP services with the use of a task order. Reimbursement rates for COZEEP services will remain consistent with those of the current agreement between Caltrans and CHP. This agreement between Metro and CHP will support the efficient delivery of Metro Highway Program projects.
Determination_Of_Safety_Impact
DETERMINATION OF SAFETY IMPACT
This Board action will have no impact on Metro Safety standards and procedures.
Financial_Impact
FINANCIAL IMPACT
COZEEP services are funded through established life of project budgets. This will not change under this Board action. Rates for COZEEP services will remain consistent with those of the current agreement between Caltrans and CHP.
Impact to Budget
There is no impact to the budget.
Implementation_of_Strategic_Plan_Goals
IMPLEMENTATION OF STRATEGIC PLAN GOALS
This recommendation supports Strategic Plan Goal #3: Enhance communities and lives through mobility and access to opportunity. With a more streamlined process for requesting COZEEP services, Metro highway projects will be able to more efficiently employ safety measures that keep construction workers, motorists, and communities safe during project implementation. Improved safety on highway projects will reduce the risk of schedule delays, ensuring the benefits of these projects, which include improved mobility, are delivered to the region in a timely manner.
Alternatives_Considered
ALTERNATIVES CONSIDERED
The Board may elect to not approve the recommended actions to enter into an Interagency Agreement with CHP for COZEEP services. Under this scenario, Metro will continue to utilize COZEEP services under the agreement established between Caltrans and CHP. This is not recommended due to administrative inefficiencies, reduced transparency, and diminished cost control.
Next_Steps
NEXT STEPS
Upon approval, staff will finalize and execute the Interagency Agreement with CHP and monitor its implementation.
Prepared_by
Prepared by: Brad Owen, Deputy Executive Officer, Construction Management, (213) 418-3143
Tim Lindholm, Senior Executive Officer, Project Management, (213) 922-7297
Reviewed_By
Reviewed by: Richard F. Clarke, Chief Program Management Officer, (213) 922-7557
