11.
City Council Work Session
- Meeting Date:
- 10/08/2024
- From:
- David Pedersen, Capital Improvements Project Manager
- Department:
- Engineering and Capital Improvements
Co-Submitter:
TITLE:
Beulah/University Realignment Project Update
DESIRED OUTCOME:
City Staff will provide an update on the status of the Beulah/University Realignment Project. The update will also include time to answer questions.
Executive Summary:
This Council update will include the updated information on the Beulah/University Realignment Project including schedule, phasing, and updated imagery.
Information:
Financial Impact: This project is not currently requesting funding or contractual approval.
Policy Impact: There are no policy impacts.
Sustainable, Innovative Infrastructure Utilize existing long-range plan(s) that identify the community's future infrastructure needs and all associated costs
Council Goal 2017 – 2019 - Transportation and Other Public Infrastructure Deliver quality community assets and continue to advocate and implement a highly performing multi-modal transportation system.
Council Goal 2017 – 2019 - Environmental and Natural Resources Actively manage and protect all environmental and natural resources
Region Plan Goal – Environmentally Sensitive Lands Goals and Policies Goal E&C.7. Give special consideration to environmentally sensitive lands in the development design and review process.
Team Flagstaff Strategic Plan – Priority 3 Deliver outstanding services through a healthy environment, resources, and infrastructure.
Background/History: The Beulah/University Roadway Realignment Project (“Project”) extends the present-day northern terminus of Beulah Boulevard to connect with University Avenue. Furthermore, University Avenue (west of Milton Road) will be realigned to match up with University Drive (east of Milton Road) via a new roundabout where Beulah Boulevard and University Avenue intersect, on the former Fresquez parcel. Additionally, this project will also be constructing a new pedestrian underpass beneath Milton Road, just south of Burger King across to Target. Moreover, the project will also include underground water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure, several new sections of sidewalks and shared-use paths, as well as landscaping and hardscape throughout the extent of the project.
The engineering design of this Project began in June 2018 by Shephard-Wesnitzer, Inc. (SWI). The 60-percent design plans were presented to City Council on 29 June 2021 at which time City Council directed staff to modify the design with a focus on bike and pedestrian components. The modified design was presented to City Council on 5 October 2021. Since this time the plans are nearly finalized, with the only modifications being incorporating the value engineering items. On 24 September 2021, the City procured Eagle Mountain Construction (EMC) as the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) for the Project. Since then, EMC has been able to assist the design team from the construction contractor perspective. By bringing EMC on board during the design process, they were able speak to constructability, phasing, availability of materials, and construction costs which helps to bring greater accuracy to Project timelines and budget. The team conducted several value engineering workshops and meetings in the fall of 2022, which resulted in significant project savings, without reducing the scope of the Project. These savings are reflected in the GMP which was approved by City Council on 6 December 2022.
Community Benefits and Considerations:
Policy Impact: There are no policy impacts.
Sustainable, Innovative Infrastructure Utilize existing long-range plan(s) that identify the community's future infrastructure needs and all associated costs
Council Goal 2017 – 2019 - Transportation and Other Public Infrastructure Deliver quality community assets and continue to advocate and implement a highly performing multi-modal transportation system.
Council Goal 2017 – 2019 - Environmental and Natural Resources Actively manage and protect all environmental and natural resources
Region Plan Goal – Environmentally Sensitive Lands Goals and Policies Goal E&C.7. Give special consideration to environmentally sensitive lands in the development design and review process.
Team Flagstaff Strategic Plan – Priority 3 Deliver outstanding services through a healthy environment, resources, and infrastructure.
Background/History: The Beulah/University Roadway Realignment Project (“Project”) extends the present-day northern terminus of Beulah Boulevard to connect with University Avenue. Furthermore, University Avenue (west of Milton Road) will be realigned to match up with University Drive (east of Milton Road) via a new roundabout where Beulah Boulevard and University Avenue intersect, on the former Fresquez parcel. Additionally, this project will also be constructing a new pedestrian underpass beneath Milton Road, just south of Burger King across to Target. Moreover, the project will also include underground water, sewer, and stormwater infrastructure, several new sections of sidewalks and shared-use paths, as well as landscaping and hardscape throughout the extent of the project.
The engineering design of this Project began in June 2018 by Shephard-Wesnitzer, Inc. (SWI). The 60-percent design plans were presented to City Council on 29 June 2021 at which time City Council directed staff to modify the design with a focus on bike and pedestrian components. The modified design was presented to City Council on 5 October 2021. Since this time the plans are nearly finalized, with the only modifications being incorporating the value engineering items. On 24 September 2021, the City procured Eagle Mountain Construction (EMC) as the Construction Manager at Risk (CMAR) for the Project. Since then, EMC has been able to assist the design team from the construction contractor perspective. By bringing EMC on board during the design process, they were able speak to constructability, phasing, availability of materials, and construction costs which helps to bring greater accuracy to Project timelines and budget. The team conducted several value engineering workshops and meetings in the fall of 2022, which resulted in significant project savings, without reducing the scope of the Project. These savings are reflected in the GMP which was approved by City Council on 6 December 2022.
Community Benefits and Considerations:
- New bike/pedestrian underpass under Milton Road
- New roadways and bike/ped-friendly roundabout and shared-use paths with greater connectivity to existing roadways and paths
- Realigning University Avenue (west of Milton) with University Drive (east of Milton)
- Replacing aged and undersized existing water and sewer infrastructure
- Improving intersection safety by reconfiguring the roadway geometry and removing surface crossings of Milton Road
- Streetlighting being brought up to City dark skies and engineering standards • Improved roadway drainage throughout the extent of the project
- Coordinating and communicating with project stakeholders to reduce impact to businesses, NAU, community members, and visitors to our community