Discuss, consider, and take appropriate action regarding Change Order No. 2 in the amount of $63,776.63 for CR 176 at RM 2243 (Joe Bland Construction), a Road Bond project in Commissioner Pct. 3.
P: 241 Funding Source: Road Bond

This Change Order adds various items of work to the contract. These items include removal of an existing driveway, construction of a mail box turnout, an additional pedestrian curb ramp, additional wire mesh fencing and gates, realignment of a ditch to improve drainage, widening of a driveway radii, water pumping, additional storm sewer pipe and safety end treatments for a driveway, and additional milling of asphalt on RM 2243. There was also additional work due to difference site conditions, including work necessary to find the existing cave and removal of a driveway along RM 2243 that was constructed before the job started and not addressed in the plans.

Item 104 Concrete Removal (Driveway) was added to compensate the Contractor for removal of an existing driveway that was constructed by a new business within the limits of the roadway widening along RM 2243 that was not shown in the plans. The existing driveway had to be removed because it did not match the proposed roadway elevation.

A mailbox turnout was added at the request of a property owner to match the existing mailbox access they had along the original roadway near Station 124+00 (left). This will overrun the existing Item 530-6008 Turnouts (ACP).

A pedestrian curb ramp was added to accommodate future construction on the south end of the project at Station 14+00 (left) that ties into the existing sidewalk. New Item 531-6004 Curb Ramp (TY I) is being added to the contract.

Fencing and gates for property owners adjacent to the project were not included in the right of way agreements, so fencing and gates are being added to provide the same level of security the property owners had prior to the project. Fencing was added that matched the existing mesh fence instead of the 5-strand barbed wore fence. This change is documented in new Items 552-6004 Wire Fencing (TY D) and Item 552-6006 Gates )Ty 2).

Plan Sheet 51 represented the cave to be located at a depth of approximately 6 to 8 feet below natural ground.  The Contractor did not find a cave at this depth, so they brought in larger equipment that found the cave at a depth of 10 to 12 feet. Item 999-WC02 compensates the Contractor for bringing in different equipment for the investigation that was capable of excavating to the required depth.

The Contractor cut the ditch on the south end of the project along the roadway according to the information shown on plan sheet 61A. During construction of the ditch it was determined that the ditch could not be constructed to drain within the right of way (ROW) along existing CR 176 near Station 42+00. Item 999-WC03 compensates the Contractor for time and equipment necessary tor realign the ditch to provide proper drainage within the ROW.

The driveway of CR 176 Station 15+25 was constructed per plan. Residents who use the driveway requested that the driveway radii be widened to accommodate long trailers. Widening the driveway radii will prevent maintenance issues in the future. Item 999-WC04 compensates the Contractor for time and materials to widen the driveway radii at CR 176.

The proposed area inlet located at Station 101+00 (right) was not constructed due to issues with obtaining an easement for the construction of the outfall north of RM 2243. Water draining from the project accumulated at the inlet location, making it necessary to be pumped. Item 999-WC05 is a new item that compensates the Contractor for time and equipment to pump the water from this location to prevent ponding that could saturate and compromise the pavement structure.

Additional milling and planing were necessary because TxDOT overlaid RM 2243 within the project limits after the Contractor had constructed flexible base for the proposed roadway widening. It was cheaper to mill off the TxDOT overlay than it was to raise the grade of the widening and adjacent tie-in to CR 176.

Concrete pipe and safety end treatments were added to the driveway at Station 15+25 to provide drainage when water ponding was observed adjacent to the driveway. The installation of the pipe eliminated standing water south of the driveway.