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A Resolution Approving a Contract with Marking Specialists Corporation for Project 26-15, Bike Boulevard Pavement Markings and Signage Improvements, in an Amount not to Exceed $849,961, and Authorizing its Execution
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Introduction
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The Village received two bids for the 2026 Bike Boulevard Pavement Marking and Signage Improvement Project. The low responsible bid was submitted by Marking Specialists Corporation in an amount of $849,961. The project includes installing pavement markings and signage for several sections of the Neighborhood Greenway system, bike lanes and signage on portions of Harvard and Augusta, and pavement markings and signage for traffic calming near schools and parks. The low bid is under the budgeted amount for this project, and the project is partially funded by an Invest in Cook Grant.
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Recommended Action
Adopt the Resolution.
Prior Board Action
The Board has taken the following prior actions:
• The Village Board approved an Intergovernmental Agreement between the Village of Oak Park and the County of Cook for the Invest in Cook Grant for the 2026 Neighborhood Greenway Project in an Amount of $250,000 on September 9, 2025 (RES 25-261).
• The Village Board approved a Task Order for Professional Engineering Services with V3 Companies, Ltd. for Design Engineering Services for the 2025 and 2026 Bike Boulevards Project in an Amount not to exceed $145,442 on October 8, 2024 (RES 24-301).
Background
This item is for the construction of the pavement marking and signage-related work for the Neighborhood Greenway System generally along Thomas St., Erie St., Pleasant St., Van Buren St., and Kenilworth Ave.; the installation of pavement markings and signage for bike lanes and shared lane markings on Augusta Street and Harvard Street; and traffic calming generally for bump-outs near schools and parks. A project location map is attached for reference. 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.
The project includes installation of pavement markings and signage to slow and calm traffic, prioritize cyclists and improve pedestrian safety. Work generally includes oversized bike pavement markings as well as shared lane markings and pavement marking lines to indicate to drivers that bikes should be given priority on the road. Higher stress streets have these pavement markings more frequently installed to provide greater protection to the cyclists. Paint and post bump-outs are used at many locations to also slow traffic and improve pedestrian safety. Intersection pavement markings using colored pavements highlight crossings of more major roads or when there are unprotected crossings of minor streets. Signage on the project includes speed radar feedback signs to encourage drivers to slow their speeds, 20-mile-per-hour speed limit signage, and various other bike crossings and safety signs. The costs for markings and signage on the Neighborhood Greenway network are $452,633.
This project includes the work needed to install on-street bike lanes on portions of Harvard Street and Augusta Street as recommended in the Bike Plan. Harvard work includes pavement markings and signage from Maple to Humphrey for the proposed bike lanes and shared lane markings near the schools as identified in the bike plan. Work on Augusta is generally from Oak Park Avenue to Austin for bike lanes from Oak Park to Ridgeland and shared lanes generally from Ridgeland to Austin. The 2026 Resurfacing project is installing the bike lanes from Harlem to Oak Park since this portion of the roadway is being resurfaced. The costs for the installation of pavement markings and signage on Harvard is approximately $110,809, and on Augusta are $57,875.
The project also included the installation of paint and post bump-outs at 16 intersections near schools and parks for traffic calming as recommended by the Vision Zero Plan. The work for this traffic calming near schools and parks was coordinated with the park and school district and individual schools and costs approximately $228,643.
The Village received two bids for this project, and the low bid of $849,961 from Marking Specialists Corporation is substantially under the approximately $1,072,000 estimated for the project. In 2025, the Village was awarded a Cook County Invest in Cook Grant to help fund construction of the 2026 Neighborhood Greenway system. This grant will fund 10% of the construction costs on this contract for an estimated grant revenue of $62,131.
The Engineering Division has been working with V3 Companies and their subconsultant TYLin on the design of this project and presented the locations and design for this project to the Transportation Commission at their February 9th meeting for their input and ultimate approval.
A separate agenda item is being presented for a Task Order with V3 Companies to oversee the construction of this project.
Timing Considerations
Adoption of the Resolution at this time will allow for the contractor to complete construction in the desired timeframe. Construction of the project is scheduled to be completed by October 30th of this year.
Financial Impact
The FY26 Budget has $885,329 available for the $621,318 needed for this project in the Capital Improvement Fund, Public Works - Engineering, for the Bike Plan Improvements account no. 3095-43780-101-570967. The FY26 Budget has $561,538 available for the $228,643 needed for this project in the Capital Improvement Fund, Public Works - Engineering, for Traffic Calming Improvements account no. 3095-43780-101-570955. The Cook County Invest in Cook Grant will fund 10% of the construction costs on this contract for an estimated grant revenue of $62,131.
Operations Impact
There is no operating impact associated with this item. The item aligns with the department’s core service delivery.
DEI Impact
The improvements align with Climate Action Goals CA01, VT01-2, VT09, and TS01 to improve pedestrian safety and reduce vehicle emissions by creating more opportunities for bicycle travel.
Community Input
The locations and design of the 2026 Neighborhood Greenway system were presented to the Transportation Commission at their February 9, 2026 meeting for their review and approval.
Staff Recommendation
Adopt the Resolution, which will allow for construction of this project to move forward on its desired schedule.
Advantages:
• This contract will allow for the procurement of needed services
Disadvantages:
• There are no disadvantages to this action.
Alternatives
Alternative 1:
The Board can delay action to gain additional information.
Advantages:
• Board Members would be presented with the additional information they requested.
Disadvantages:
• The timing of the eventual Board action will impact the desired implementation schedule.
Alternative 2:
The Board can vote down the item.
Advantages:
• There are no advantages to this action.
Disadvantages:
• Needed work will not occur.
• The Village will lose grant funding.
Anticipated Future Actions
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 to change the speed limit. The bike lanes on Harvard and Augusta require the removal of on-street parking for portions of the roadway. A future Ordinance will be presented updating the Village’s parking map to reflect the new no parking areas.
Prepared By: Bill McKenna, Village Engineer/Assistant Public Works Director
Reviewed By: Rob Sproule, Public Works Director
Approved By: Kevin J. Jackson, Village Manager
Attachment(s):
1. Resolution
2. Contract and Bond
3. Proposal
4. Bid Summary
5. Project Location Map