LAKEPORT — The Lake Transit Authority approved and authorized a series of staff recommendations concerning Lake Transit bus stop construction projects during Wednesday”s regular meeting at Lakeport City Hall.
The project would improve accessibility and install benches and shelters at 31 bus stops located throughout Lake County, according to Transit manager Mark Wall. The shelters would be equipped with solar powered lighting systems, Wall said.
The LTA voted unanimously to award the bid, contingent upon Caltrans approval, to contractor Valley Paving out of Redwood Valley. Valley Paving would complete primarily concrete and asphalt work associated with the project, Wall said.
A group of students from the Konocti Unified School District would install the benches and shelters, through KUSD”s Career Technical Academy Program, Wall said.
The high school students would work three to four hours per day and be accompanied by an instructor teaching them construction trade skills, Wall said.
The LTA voted unanimously to approve a joint powers agreement between KUSD and the LTA and to authorize Wall to execute the agreement.
Wall said Lake Transit hopes to establish a long-term relationship with the program. “We recognize we have this common interest,” he said.
The LTA also unanimously approved a memorandum of understanding with the Lake County Public Works Department regarding management and maintenance of the bus stops after construction is completed.
The work is scheduled for completion in July 2011, Wall said.
Wall also reported to the LTA that Transit had received five new buses and plans on receiving three additional buses before the end of the year. The five buses already obtained accommodate 16 passengers and two wheelchairs, and the three other buses would fit 25 passengers and two wheelchairs, according to Wall.
Transit has been replacing buses for the past 1.5 years, using various state and federal funding, Wall told the LTA. “We had some very tired buses out there,” he said.
Contact Jeremy Walsh at jwalsh@record-bee.com or call him at 263-5636, ext. 37.
