HomeMy WebLinkAbout02/15/2011 Northwest Hwy-MP Road-Prospect Ave Signals Improvement (Engineering Services)Mount Prospect Publicllbrks Departmem
INTEROFFICE MEMORANDUM
TO: VILLAGE MANAGER MICHAEL E. JANONIS
FROM: PROJECT ENGINEER
DATE: FEBRUARY 10, 201
SUBJECT: NORTHWEST HIGHWAY, MOUNT PROSPECT ROAD & PROSPECT AVENUE
PEDESTRIAN SIGNAL IMPROVEMENT PROJECT
RECOMMENDATION TO HIRE ENGINEERING CONSULTANT - $36,936.00
Background
Northwest Highway is an arterial road Linder the jurisdiction of the Illinois Department of Transportation
(IDOT) running diagonal through the center of Mount Prospect. Parallel to Northwest Highway is the
three-track Union Pacific Railroad line and Prospect Avenue, a collector street Linder the jurisdiction of
the Village. Mount Prospect Road is a north-south arterial road under the jurisdiction of the Cook County
Highway Department (CCHD) and the boarder road between Mount Prospect and Des Plaines.
The traffic signals at Northwest Highway & Mount Prospect Road and Prospect Avenue & Mount
Prospect Road are part of a single system interconnected with the railroad tracks. The traffic signal
system is owned and maintained by IDOT. The intersections are currently marked with crosswalks but
there are no pedestrian signals in place.
The 2010 Village Budget had allocated funds for pedestrian signal improvements and the Engineering
Division identified these two intersections as a priority. Work will include installing I.ED pedestrian
signals at the two intersections, filling in missing sidewalk segments, constructing sidewalk ramps and
refreshing the painted crosswalks. Design will take place in 2011 with construction expected to take
place in 2012. To offset the construction cost in 2012, the Village is waiting to hear if we have been
approved for a State grant. Also, the City of Des Plaines has expressed interest in the project and may be
willing to participate in the construction Cost.
The project includes work at the following two intersections (shown on attached map):
• Northwest Highway & Mount Prospect Road
• Mount Prospect Road & Prospect Avenue
Request for Statement of Oualifications
In order to accomplish the design phase of the project, the Village needs to retain the services of a
company with expertise in traffic signal design. Also, because the intersections involve State and County
roads, we need a company with experience working with IDOT and CCHD�. And further, we need a
company with experience working with the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), the agency that
regulates the railroad infrastructure.
A Request for Statement of Qualifications (RSQ) was sent to four engineering consulting companies.
The consultants were to provide Staff their experience on similar projects, qualifications of their
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Northwest I lighway, Mount Prospect Road & Prospect Avenue Pedestrian Signal Improvement Project
February 10, 2011
personnel, their design approach, and an anticipated project schedule. Of the three proposals received,
Staff's top candidate, Gewalt-liamilton Associates, was interviewed and then asked to provide a price.
Staff prefers the proposal from Gewalt-Hamilton Associates because of their knowledge of the traffic
signal system, their ongoing working relationship with ID017 and CCI-ID, and their previous experience
with pedestrian signal design. Based on the interview, we are confident they can provide a quality
project, meet all requirements of IDOT, CCIJD and [CC, and complete the work on tirne.
The design price front Gewalt-Hamilton Associates is $36,936.00. This is comparable to recent
pedestrian signal projects. The price includes $11,968.00 for an Intersection Design Study (IDS). This
may be required by DOT to make sure the addition of pedestrian signals will not have an adverse effect
on the current signal timing. If an IDS is not required, it will be eliminated from the scope or work and
the Village will not be required to pay for that portion of the contract.
This contract is for design services only. Once the project is ready to go to construction, it is anticipated
that a separate construction engineering contract will come before the Village Board of Trustees for
approval. It is difficult, however, at this point to determine the amount of a construction engineering
contract until the project's scope is refined and the design is complete. Should the consultant meet the
Village's expectations during the design phase, we plan to negotiate a construction engineering contract
with the same company. This will allow for a smooth transition into the construction phase and enable
the field personnel to work closely with their own design team.
Discussion
Gewalt-Hamilton Associates specialize in transportation engineering design and a majority of their work
is for governmental agencies. In 2009, they provided both engineering design and construction set
for the Algonquin-Busse-Dempster Pedestrian Signal Improvement Project. That project is similar in
scope to this one. In the previous project they provided a quality design, worked well with the various
agencies involved, and completed the project on time and under budget. They are also currently working
for the Village as the design engineer for the Kensington Road Improvement Project. Finally, Gewalt-
Hamilton Associates experience with the ]CC, IDOT and CCHD is also an advantage in that they will be
able to streamline the permitting process with these: agencies.
Recommendation
It is my recommendation that the proposal submitted by Gewalt-Hamilton Associates, Inc, of Vernon
Hills, Illinois for engineering design services be accepted with a not to exceed amount of $36,936.00.
This expenditure was originally planned and budgeted for in 2010. These funds will be carried over into
201 to cover this proposed contract.
Please include this item oil the February 1 . 5 '" Village Board Meeting Agenda.
. .. ......... ....... .. . .. ......
Lawrie
I concur with th 'ove -eco en td
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len R. i r, Dire for of ublic, Works
Attachment: Map
b. cngiiiecritigy,\traftac�signals�pedestrian\nwliNvy-inp\vb-cotisultant-rec.doc
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