Title
Resolution - A Resolution of the City Council of the City of Mansfield, Texas, Approving a Professional Services Contract Between the City of Mansfield, TX and Halff Associates, Inc. in an Amount Not to Exceed $495,000.00 for the Schematic Design of the US 287 Southbound Entrance Ramp at Walnut Creek Drive (Street Bond Fund)
Requested Action
Consider the authorization of funding and approval of contracts.
Recommendation
Approval of a professional services contract between the City of Mansfield, Texas and Halff Associates, Inc. in an amount not to exceed $495,000.00 for the schematic design of the US 287 Southbound Entrance Ramp at Walnut Creek Drive.
Description/History
This project is part of the 2022 Roadway Capital Plan. The project was proposed to help alleviate traffic volumes on the US 287 southbound frontage road at Walnut Creek Dr., especially during peak times. Observations have been made of the number of vehicles moving southbound through the Walnut Creek Dr. intersection and using the entrance ramp. These vehicles entering the main lanes north of the intersection will reduce the volume and therefore improve the functioning of this intersection at critical times, especially during the evening peak.
Although this is anticipated to be a city-funded and city-managed project, TxDOT approval is required as these roadways and right-of-way belong to TxDOT. The approval process requires that a schematic design be submitted to TxDOT for review and approval prior to moving forward with design for construction.
Several discussions and meetings have taken place with TxDOT staff, city staff and Halff Associates to determine a scope for the schematic design. Significant traffic analysis is being required to determine the overall benefit of the project. TxDOT staff have raised concerns about the impact of the ramp to the main lanes given its proximity to the existing ramp to the south as well as the interaction with traffic on Mouser Way and the frontage road. Extension of the third lane on the frontage road from north of Mouser Way to the new ramp may be required.
Halff Associates has produced high-level OPCC’s that estimate the construction cost of the project as previously scoped to be approximately $2,000,000. However, if extension of the frontage road is required, that cost would be approximately $4,000,000.
The requested funds are for design services with Halff Associates in the amount of $495,000 to prepare a schematic design and the facilitation of TxDOT’s review.
Justification
This project is part of the Roadway Capital Plan.
The Director of Engineering Services will be in attendance at the meeting to answer Council’s questions regarding the proposed funding and contracts.
Funding Source
Street Bond Fund
Prepared By
Raymond Coffman, Director of Engineering Services, 817-276-1238