Submitted By
Bill McKenna, Village Engineer
Reviewed By
A.M. Zayyad, Deputy Village Manager
Agenda Item Title
Title
A Resolution Approving a Contract with Marking Specialists Corporation for Project 23-15, Bike Boulevard Pavement Marking and Signage Improvements, in an Amount Not to Exceed $135,548 and Authorizing its Execution
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Overview
Overview
Competitive bids were opened on September 28, 2023 for the Bike Boulevard Pavement Marking and Signage Improvements Project. The only bid submitted was by Marking Specialists Corporation in an amount of $135,548 which represents a competitive bid and is close to the estimated cost for this project. The project includes pavement markings and signage to create a bike boulevard which prioritizes bicycling, slows traffic, and improves pedestrian safety. The streets being improved are on Erie Street from Kenilworth Avenue to Scoville Avenue and on portions of Scoville Avenue from South Boulevard to Erie Street.
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Recommendation
Recommendation
Adopt the Resolution.
Background
This item is for the construction of the first segments of the Neighborhood Greenways System. The Neighborhood Greenways System is a network of streets that are designed to prioritize bicycle travel with features to calm and reduce vehicular traffic on neighborhood streets and improve safety for bicycles and pedestrians, especially at busy intersection crossings. This project includes work on Erie Street from Kenilworth Avenue to Scoville Avenue and on portions of Scoville Avenue from South Boulevard to Erie Street, near Oak Park and River Forest High School.
The project plans, which show the various improvements being built, are attached to this agenda item. In general, the improvements consist of installing pavement marking on the road to indicate to drivers that bicyclists should be expected in the road; new speed limit signage indicating a 20 miles per hour speed limit; pavement markings and delineator posts to create bump outs at intersections to slow traffic and reduce pedestrian crossing distance to improve safety; permanent speed radar signage to encourage drivers to slow down; and other signage including large Neighborhood Greenway signs to identify and brand these as Neighborhood Greenways and start getting residents and users of the roads familiar with these treatments and streets where cycling is being prioritized. As familiarity with the term Neighborhood Greenways grows, staff can start transitioning away from referring to these as both Neighborhood Greenways and as Bike Boulevards. Neighborhood Greenways are the adopted name for these streets but staff has historically been referring to them using both terms to avoid any confusion by the public for what Neighborhood Greenways are.
The Engineering Division has been working with V3 Companies and their subconsultant TYLin on the design of this project and presented the design to the Transportation Commission at their August 8, 2023 meeting and again at their September 12, 2023 meeting. The Transportation Commission approved the design of the project at their September 12, 2023 meeting.
The project does not include work on Scoville Avenue from Lake Street to Erie Street, as the original intent of the Neighborhood Greenway plan included a bi-directional bike lane on Scoville Avenue along OPRF’s frontage which would require the removal of on-street parking; public engagement; revising Scoville Avenue’s geometry including removal of the partial cul-de-sac north of Lake Street; and coordination meetings with the School District to potentially revise drop off and pick up operations. Since the School District is moving forward with their Project 2 work for replacing the portion of the building along Scoville Avenue, housing their pool and athletic facilities, Scoville Avenue will be under construction and have parking and traffic impacted until the spring of 2026. Staff will use this time to prepare the proposed designs for bike facilities on Scoville Avenue and work with the School District and the residents in the area for any potential changes to the street and parking for implementing bike lanes on Scoville Avenue.
During the design of this project, staff and V3 also identified opportunities for potentially enhanced bike facilities (eastbound bike lane) on Erie Street from Kenilworth Avenue to Oak Park Avenue, along with pedestrian improvements if Erie Street was converted to a one-way eastbound road. Ontario Street one block south of Erie Street is already one-way westbound and converting Erie Street to a one-way may have benefits. Staff intends to perform traffic studies to explore impacts and opportunities for this one-way conversion of Erie Street in 2024 and work with the Transportation Commission to review this item. Should staff and the commission recommend moving forward with this change, staff will bring forward items related to this one-way conversion.
Fiscal Impact
The FY 23 Budget includes $235,000 for design and construction of the bike boulevard system. There is currently $160,851 available for this project in the FY23 Capital Improvement Fund Budget in account # 3095-43780-101-570967 (Public Works - Engineering, Bicycle Plan Improvements).
DEI Impact
The improvements align with Climate Ready Oak Park Goals CA01, VT01-2, VT09 and TS01 to improve pedestrian safety and reduce vehicle emissions by creating more opportunities for bicycle travel.
Alternatives
The alternative to this recommendation could be to delay action to gain additional information.
Previous Board Action
At the January 17, 2023 Village Board meeting, the Village Board approved a Task Order for Professional Engineering Services with V3 Companies, Ltd. for Design Engineering Services for the 2023 and 2024 Bike Boulevards Project in an amount not to exceed $109,149.
Citizen Advisory Commission Action
The Transportation Commission reviewed the design of the project at their August 8, 2023 meeting and again at their September 12, 2023 meeting. The Transportation Commission approved the design of the project at their September 12, 2023 meeting.
Anticipated Future Actions/Commitments
The Bike Boulevard system includes a proposed speed limit reduction to 20 miles per hour on the bike boulevard streets. Pending Village Board approval of this construction contract, staff will prepare an Ordinance for an upcoming Village Board meeting to change the speed limit on Erie Street from Kenilworth Avenue to Scoville Avenue and on the portions of Scoville Avenue being improved with this project.
Intergovernmental Cooperation Opportunities
None at this time.