For Economic Development Committee [May 29, 2024]
TO: Honorable Economic Development Committee Members
APPROVAL: Colby Cataldi, Director of Community Development
FROM: Timothy Sullivan, Director of Maintenance and Facilities
Title
Consideration of Adding Landscaping Elements to the Newly Constructed Baseline Road Median.
Body
BACKGROUND
In October 2016, the City submitted a grant application for the Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) Cycle 8 to improve safety along Baseline Road between Willow Avenue and Meridian Avenue. The lack of a raised median in this area was identified as a contributing factor to traffic collisions, with vehicles attempting to cross multiple lanes while turning left out of driveways and cars turning left across oncoming traffic while entering driveways. Installing a raised median was proposed to reduce traffic conflict points, reduce head-on collisions, and deter midblock and uncontrolled pedestrian crossings.
The City's grant application was successful, and in September 2017, the City was awarded $1,057,320 in federal HSIP funds for the project. In April 2019, CNS Engineers was awarded a professional services agreement for the project's design.
The City submitted the plans, specifications, and environmental package to Caltrans in June 2022, and in August 2022, Caltrans authorized the City to begin the construction phase.
The construction of the project was awarded to I E General Engineering Inc. on July 25, 2023, and completed in April 2024. The construction plans included dryscape (decomposed granite, cobble, and boulders); however, the landscaping plans did not include irrigation or vegetation elements.
ANALYSIS
Staff is proposing the planting of vegetation within the newly constructed median on Baseline Road east of Riverside Avenue. Staff is suggesting beautifying this single median as a pilot program due to the limited budget and the incorporation of newer technologies. The proposed planting plan is included in...
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