STRATEGIC PRIORITY: Mobility Solutions, Infrastructure, and Sustainability
AGENDA DATE: February 10, 2021
COUNCIL DISTRICT(S): 9
DEPARTMENT: Department of Transportation
EXECUTIVE: Majed Al-Ghafry
______________________________________________________________________
SUBJECT
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Authorize a construction services contract for the Quiet Zone - Northeast Dallas to complete the remaining street improvements - Axis Contracting, Inc, lowest responsible bidder of three - Not to exceed $479,493.00 - Financing: Surface Transportation Block Grant Project Fund ($339,631.20) and Street and Transportation (A) Fund (2017 General Obligation Bond Fund) ($139,861.80)
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BACKGROUND
The sound of locomotive train horns as the train approaches street grade crossings throughout the day and night negatively impacts the quality of life for people residing in the general vicinity of a rail line.
In response to this concern, the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) issued its Train Horn Rule which provides a detailed process for the establishment of a Quiet Zone. Part of that process includes constructing supplemental safety measures at each crossing within the quiet zone. These measures typically include the construction of a median within the roadway and upgrading the railroad crossing controls.
For the quiet zone in east Dallas, the supplemental safety measures including railroad signal controls and street improvements are required at the following nine crossings: Lakeland Drive, Santa Anna Avenue, Barnes Bridge Road, Centerville Road, Gus Thomasson Road, Peavy Road, Mariposa Drive, Saint Francis Avenue, and Highland Drive.
On June 12, 2019, City Council accepted a Surface Transportation Block Grant of $1,791,508.00 to help cover the cost to provide these supplemental safety measures at these crossings by Resolution No. 19-0881. That resolution also provided a 20 percent local match using 2017 Bond Funds.
On June 10, 2020, City Council authorized an agreement with the Kansas City Southern Railway Company (KCS) to upgrade the railroad controls at the nine railroad crossings, in an amount not to exceed $1,880,722.00, by Resolution No. 20-0939.
On July 28, 2020, the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) provided environmental clearance and determined the project to be Categorically Excluded. On November 4, 2020, TxDOT authorized the project to proceed to advertising for construction bids. This contract was advertised for a 22-day period beginning on November 19, 2020. Bids were opened on December 11, 2020.
This proposed action will authorize a contract to complete the remaining street improvements to implement the quiet zone.
Axis Contracting, Inc. has had no contractual activities with the City of Dallas within the past three years.
ESTIMATED SCHEDULE OF PROJECT
Begin Construction March 2021
Complete Construction August 2021
PRIOR ACTION/REVIEW (COUNCIL, BOARDS, COMMISSIONS)
The Transportation and Environment Committee was introduced to the concept of a Railroad Quiet Zone and briefed on the specific requirements of the FRA Train Horn Rule on February 26, 2007.
The Transportation and Environment Committee was briefed on the Update on Railroad Quiet Zone on January 12, 2009.
On June 12, 2019, City Council authorized the execution of a Local Project Advanced Funding Agreement with the Texas Department of Transportation to accept $1,791,508.00 in Surface Transportation Block Grant funds for the KCS Quiet Zone East Dallas project by Resolution No. 19-0881.
On June 10, 2020, City Council authorized an agreement with KCS to implement quiet zone improvements at nine rail crossings in East Dallas along the KCS railroad corridor, by Resolution No. 20-0939.
FISCAL INFORMATION
|
Fund |
FY 2021 |
FY 2022 |
Future Years |
|
Surface Transportation Block Grant Project Fund |
$339,631.20 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
|
Street and Transportation (A) Fund (2017 General Obligation Bond Funds) |
$139,861.80 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
|
Total |
$479,493.00 |
$0.00 |
$0.00 |
M/WBE INFORMATION
As a federal grant is used to fund a portion of this project, the Federal Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program was incorporated in lieu of the City’s Business Inclusion and Development Plan. DBE participation on this contract is as follows:
|
Contract Amount |
Category |
DBE Goal |
DBE % |
DBE Amount |
|
$479,493.00 |
Construction |
6.00% |
19.00% |
$91,939.25 |
|
• This contract exceeds the DBE goal. |
Including a local preference for contractor selection is not permitted on contracts with Federal funding. However, the recommended contractor and the DBE contractor are both located within the City of Dallas.
PROCUREMENT INFORMATION
The following three bids with quotes were received and opened on December 11, 2020:
*Denotes successful bidder
Bidders Bid Amount
*Axis Contracting, Inc. $479,493.00
1910 Silverado Drive
Dallas, Texas 75336
Gibson & Associates, Inc. $561,801.94
McMahon Contracting, L.P. $590,525.31
OWNER
Axis Contracting, Inc.
Suzan Williams, President
MAP
Attached