CLEARLAKE — City Engineer Bob Galusha, who is currently serving the position of Interim City Administrator, provided the council Thursday with an update on capital projects under way in the City of Clearlake. Galusha highlighted three bike lane projects, two of which include plans for the installation of curb, gutter and sidewalk.
The Transportation Enhancement (TE) Grant Project consists of the construction of a bike lane on Old Highway 53 between Lakeview Way and Highway 53; and the installation of curb, gutter and sidewalk and bike lanes at Austin Park. A Federal Transportation Grant will fund 94 percent of the project, or $416,159; six percent local match is required, which amounts to $27,500.
Galusha said the Old Highway 53 Bike Lane project will widen the roadway by approximately four feet on each side to provide for bike lanes in each direction between Lakeview Way and Highway 53. “This will complete a missing gap in our bike lane along Old Highway 53,” Galusha said. “Once this project is completed bike lanes will be in place on Old Highway 53 from Lakeshore Drive to Highway 53 and tie to the Dam Road Bike Lane Project currently under design.”
The Austin Park project will provide for curb, gutter and sidewalk along the north side of Austin Road along Austin Park, from Pine Street to Lakeshore Drive. In addition, Galusha said bike lanes will be installed along both sides of Austin Road from Lakeshore Drive to Pine Street. Sidewalk will also be installed along Olympic Drive within Austin Park from Lakeshore Drive to Pine Street, he said.
The city has requested funding in the amount of $10,000 for the environmental phase of the Austin Park project from the California Transportation Commission (CTC). Galusha said the request will be considered at the CTC”s Jan. 20 meeting. “Once the funding allocation is approved the city can submit a request to proceed with the environmental work from CalTrans,” Galusha said. “Once the environmental work is completed, the city can then request a funding allocation for the design and construction phase of the project from the CTC. That same would be true for the construction phase.”
A contract between the city and Vanderwall Engineering, of Kelseyville was executed on Dec. 9 for engineering services for the Burns Valley Safe Routes to School (SR2S) State Grant Project. Cost is not to exceed $14,281.
Council member Jeri Spittler asked why the city was going with Vanderwall and not a local company stating that she has a construction person “right here.” Galusha explained that the company was selected through an open bidding process and that contract agreement is for engineering not construction. He said when the construction phase begins it will be put out to bid as well.
The project consists of the installation of curb, gutter and sidewalk along Burns Valley Elementary School on Pine Street from just north of Austin Road to Olympic Drive. Curb, gutter and sidewalk are also to be installed along Austin Road from Pine Street to Olive Street. Galusha said the Burns Valley SR2S project is basically 100 percent funded. Ninety-percent of the project, or $130,050, is being funded through SR2S state grant and the 10 percent local match of $14,452 was allocated through the Area Planning Council (APC).
Galusha also discussed the Dam Road Bike Lane Project, which is located between Lake Street and Dam Road Extension. The project, estimated at a cost of $338,000, is 100 percent funded through a federal Safe Route to Schools Grant.
The Dam Road project will widen Dam Road from Lake Street to a point approximately 750 feet to the north of the Lake Street and Dam Road intersection. “This section of Dam Road will be widened from the current 18 feet wide roadway to a 32 foot wide roadway with bike lanes provided on both sides of Dam Road,” Galusha said. “The rest of Dam Road between Lake Street and Dam Road Extension will be re-striped to add bike lanes on each side of Dam Road and bike lane signs installed.”
Galusha said the city was awarded the grant in Oct. 2008. During the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) environmental field review conducted by CalTrans staff, it was determined that the project is located within a significant Indian Archeological site. He said as a result, the city contracted with a local archeologist to complete studies on the site. He said contracts were executed in March 2009 and again in May 2010.
“The archaeological work should be completed and findings will be submitted to CalTrans for review and approval within the next 30 days,” Galusha said. “Once CalTrans has approved the study it will be forwarded to the State Historical Preservation Office (SHPO). SHPO has up to 90 days to review and approve the report.”
Galusha said once SHPO”s approval is received the final design work can be completed and the city can advertise the project for bidding. He said tentatively, bidding should take place this summer.
Contact South County reporter Denise Rockenstein@clearlakeobserver.com or call her directly at 994-6444, ext. 11.
