Council approves adding Mulberry Avenue work to Foothill Boulevard project to save time, costs

The council on April 13 voted to authorize a contract change order adding Mulberry Avenue (from Foothill Boulevard north to Pine Street) to the Foothill Boulevard construction contract.

Engineering manager Bob Critchfield told the council the work would reconstruct an 8-inch water main, replace asphalt pavement, repair curbs and sidewalks, rehabilitate two sewer manholes, and include striping and pavement markings. Staff received a price from the low bidder Gentry Brothers of $1,398,418 and requested a $301,005.82 contingency for a $1,700,000 contract award; including construction administration, inspection and material testing staff estimated an all-in cost near $1,795,000.

Staff said the project is exempt under CEQA as it involves work within an existing facility and that adding the Mulberry work to an adjacent active project saves advertising and procurement costs and an estimated eight weeks in schedule. Staff also said residents and affected businesses from Foothill to Pine Street would be notified before construction and that some water tie-overs would be scheduled overnight to minimize business impacts.

Council members asked whether alleyways or other nearby work could be folded in; staff said alleys typically require separate bid processes. The council approved the change order unanimously.