RCTC awards Potrero Boulevard interchange phase 2 to Ames Construction

John Terrazio, RCTC senior capital project manager, described the SR-60 Potrero Boulevard interchange phase 2 project administered by RCTC on behalf of the City of Beaumont. Phase 2 will widen Potrero Boulevard to six lanes, add ramps to connect to SR-60, and realign Western Knowles Avenue. Design completed in March 2025 and the project received a full funding allocation from the California Transportation Commission in June.

An invitation for bids resulted in seven bids; Ames Construction was the lowest responsive and responsible bidder with a bid about 9.8 percent below the engineer’s estimate. Staff recommended awarding the construction agreement to Ames with contingency authority (approximately $4.8 million) for change orders and project risks. The total not-to-exceed amount presented was about $53,800,000. Terrazio said the construction phase is fully funded from local, state and federal sources, including $33.5 million in Trade Corridor Enhancement Program (TCEP) funds allocated by the CTC, and the City of Beaumont will reimburse RCTC for project costs per the cooperative agreement.

City representatives and commissioners expressed appreciation for RCTC’s assistance. A motion to approve the recommended action was made and seconded; a roll-call vote recorded affirmative votes and the item passed.

Next steps: RCTC will execute the agreement (Agreement 205-7278 referenced in the staff slide) and authorize contingency work and any necessary fund-type adjustments to support construction.