Procurement update: Charlottesville to rebid East High Streetscape

One way of keeping up with what’s happening in local government is to look through procurement notices. Trust me on this one.

For instance, the City of Charlottesville is seeking bids for firms for the first phase of the replacement of traffic signals and the upgrade of intersections throughout the city. The locations are:

• Barracks Road & Rugby Road (Rugby Road, Preston Avenue to Barracks Road)
• Rugby Road & Rugby Avenue (Rugby Road, Preston Avenue to Barracks Road)
• Rugby Road & Preston Avenue (Rugby Road, Preston Avenue to Barracks Road)
• E. Water Street & 2nd Street SE
• Cherry Avenue & 9th Street SW
• Route 250 & Charlottesville Fire Department Station

Proposals are due on July 15.

“According to the documents, the work includes, but is not limited to, the installation of traffic signal poles foundations and mast arm poles, conduits, junction boxes, traffic signal heads, pedestrian signal indicators (countdown), signage, ADA ramps, concrete sidewalk, pavement markings, and other traffic related equipment,” reads the project website.

Bids are due Friday, June 26 for firms to construct another of the Smart Scale projects with the title “Barracks-Emmet Intersection Improvements.”

“This project will improve the existing left turn lanes at the Barracks Road and Emmet Street intersection, add a new right turn lane on Emmet Street, widen existing medians to provide pedestrian refuge islands, and replace the existing traffic signal infrastructure at this intersection,” reads the project overview. “Additionally, the project will replace portions of existing sidewalks within the limits of the intersection, as well as extend new 5 foot concrete sidewalk approximately 1,500 linear feet up Barracks Road to Buckingham Road.”

The bid documents have been amended five times.

Another Smart Scale project seems to have stalled. On January 30 the city issued an invitation for firms to bid on construction of the East High Streetscape.

“The vision for East High Street is to improve an important link of the City’s transportation network for bikes, pedestrians, buses, and cars,” reads the procurement website.

Three firms responded with Sagres Construction submitting the low bid of $15,944,046.92. Caton Construction and Faulconer Construction submitted bids of $23.2 million and $24.9 million respectively.

All are above the official $15,666,248 estimate and the bid was closed.

“Closing out due to budget constraints,” reads a notice on the page. “The project will be revised and re-advertised.”

Other items:

• The City of Charlottesville is seeking bids for companies to make the entry to the Ridge Street fire station compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Bids are due July 15. (learn more)
• The City of Charlottesville is seeking firms to provide Employee Assistance Program services for city employees. Proposals are due July 1. (learn more)

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