Consideration and Approval of Engineering Contract Change Order:  Change Order #5 to WSP USA, Inc. in the amount of $511,193.00 for the Downtown Mile Safety and Connectivity Improvement Project Amtrak Station Platforms.
 

1. Approve the Engineering Professional Services Change Order #5 to WSP USA, Inc. (WSP) in the amount of $511,193.00;
2. Approve the time extension of 180 calendar days; and 
3. Authorize the City Manager to execute the necessary documents.

Project design is funded by the City of Flagstaff Proposition 419 and contributions from BNSF. FY2025-26 budget is $470,000 in account #409-09-427-3520-1. The remaining budget will be funded from the overall Downtown Mile project budget in account 409-09-427-3520-1 with total budget in FY2025-26 of $7,250,033.

Priority Based Budget Key Community Priorities and Objectives

• Deliver outstanding services to residents through a healthy, well maintained infrastructure system.

Carbon Neutrality Plan

• Encourage vibrancy, appropriate density, and attainability in existing neighborhoods, so that more residents live within walking distance of their daily needs. 
• Create inclusive networks for walking and biking that are continuous, attractive, safe, comprehensive, and convenient for people of all ages.

Regional Plan

• Improve mobility and access throughout the region.
• Improve transportation safety and efficiency for all modes.
• Promote transportation infrastructure and services that enhance the quality of life of the communities within the region.
• Increase the availability and use of pedestrian infrastructure, including FUTS, as a critical element of a safe and livable community.

None

1. Approve Change Order #5 with WSP as recommended, which will allow WSP to complete the Amtrak platform design with the Downtown Mile; or
2. Reject the Change Order and provide additional direction to staff. This option would delay the design.

The Downtown Mile Project is a suite of City Capital transportation and stormwater projects that surround the BNSF rail corridor in downtown Flagstaff. The projects share proximity, constraints with building under and around the railroad, and opportunities for funding partnerships and construction efficiency. The individual projects were aligned into the overall project scope out of a need to help fund mitigation impacts to rail operations from the construction of the Rio de Flag project, to expedite delivery of the City's multimodal projects, and to provide opportunity to BNSF to construct a third main rail line, which instituted their support for Project funding and approval for construction. The Project components include: 

• Florence to Walnut Pedestrian Underpass – Construction of a pedestrian underpass to the west of the ADOT B40/Milton Road Underpass/BNSF rail bridge. Proposed to connect Florence Street and Walnut Street with a grade-separated pedestrian tunnel in an area of active trespassing. 
• ADOT B40 Milton Road Underpass/BNSF Rail Bridge Reconstruction – The existing two-track bridge structure over Milton Road will be replaced and the location of the underpass will be shifted to the north in alignment with the proposed permanent third main line of the BNSF tracks. The bridge will include a span arrangement that will allow for the future ADOT corridor expansion, including multimodal improvements. Additionally, the proposed structure shall provide a minimum of 16’-8” vertical clearance as required by current ADOT and BNSF standards. 
• Rio de Flag Pedestrian Underpass – This grade-separated pedestrian underpass will be constructed under the BNSF corridor and adjacent to the Rio de Flag flood control concrete box culvert. It will be tied into the future Mountain Line Downtown Connection Center site located on Phoenix Avenue. 
• Beaver Street and San Francisco Street At-grade Crossing Safety Improvements – Will include at-grade crossing safety improvements associated with two one-way streets that intersect with the BNSF corridor adjacent to the current Amtrak station. These improvements are focused particularly on enhancing safety for pedestrians.
• Amtrak Station Improvements - Reconstructed north platform and new south platform. 
• Community Rail Safety Plan - A rail safety plan in accordance with Federal Railroad Administration guidelines will be delivered during design. 

In addition, alignment and support for these projects will greatly benefit delivery of the Rio de Flag Flood Control Project and the Lone Tree Overpass Project.
 

The reconstruction of the north Amtrak platform will provide necessary drainage improvements and ADA improvements of the existing platform. The new south platform will provide improved rail efficiency and safety, reducing the conflict between freight and passenger services.  

Please see the Key Consideration section above for discussion on Community Benefits and Considerations.

The Flagstaff community has been engaged over time for the project components included in the Downtown Mile, including the La Plaza Vieja Neighborhood Specific Plan adoption of the Florence-Walnut Pedestrian Underpass, the Rio de Flag Flood Control Project and Pedestrian Underpass, and the ADOT Corridor Master Plan for Milton Road, and public meetings. The original design contract with WSP included public involvement and full NEPA development, which entails community and stakeholder coordination, cultural and biological resource investigations, State Historic Preservation Office consultation and project concurrence requirements, hazardous material clearances, and established public comment periods on the overall document scope and findings. 

The first project public meeting was held on June 14, 2023. There is a Project website available at Flagstaffdowntownmileproject.org.

1. Approve Change Order #5 with WSP as recommended which will allow WSP to complete design of the Amtrak Platforms; or
2. Reject the Change Order and provide additional direction to staff. This option would delay the design.