Agenda Item Wording:
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Construction Change Order - Authorization to approve construction change order #7 in the amount of $189,175.75 to Agee Construction Corp for the Riggin Avenue widening project (Kelsey Street to Shirk Street).
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Agenda Date: 06/01/2026
Prepared by:
Bryce Nagel, Assistant Engineer, (559) 713-4197, bryce.nagel@visalia.gov
Christopher Crawford, City Engineer, (559) 713-4331, chris.crawford@visalia.gov
Jason Huckleberry, Engineering & Building Director, (559) 713-4495, jason.huckleberry@visalia.gov
Department Recommendation: Staff recommends that the City Council authorize city staff to execute construction change order #7 for $189,175.75 to Agee Construction Corp for the Riggin Avenue widening project, from Kelsey Street to Shirk Street, to change the structural street section at the Shirk and Riggin intersection to a standard hot mix asphalt and aggregate base section to facilitate keeping the intersection open for both east and west bound traffic lanes .
Summary:
The Riggin Avenue widening project started construction in September 2025 and is scheduled for completion in early June 2026. Due to Riggin Avenue being a main arterial street for the north side of Visalia, the street experiences high traffic volumes at any given time. The project was designed with the structural street section to be full depth reclamation with cement (FDR-C) which would have required a full closure of the Shirk St. & Riggin Ave. intersection. The FDR-C process requires approximately 4-5 days to mix and cure the cement in the street subgrade section. To ensure traffic was able to flow in all directions, staff worked with the contractor to change the structural section of the intersection to a standard hot mix asphalt over aggregate base section allowing the intersection to be built in phases. The cost for this change was $189,175.75.
Background Discussion:
The Riggin Avenue widening project spans from Kelsey Street to Shirk Street and consists of widening the existing two-lane roadway into a divided four-lane roadway. Improvements include construction of center medians, landscaping, street lighting, interconnect conduit, storm drainage, turn pockets, Class IV bike lanes, Cal Water main installation, and signalization at the Riggin Avenue and Shirk Street intersection.
The construction contract was awarded in April 2025, and construction started in September 2025. The project has experienced several delays due to seasonal rain events and Southern California Edison relocations. The original completion date was estimated for mid-March 2026. However, due to these impacts, the current completion is anticipated to be June 2026.
Riggin Avenue is a main arterial roadway for the city and experiences high traffic volumes throughout the day. As a result, traffic needed to remain open in all directions during construction. The project was originally designed with a full-depth reclamation with cement (FDR-C) structural section. However, completing the FDR-C work at the Riggin Avenue and Shirk Street intersection would have required a full intersection closure. Installing FDR-C in multiple phases is not an option, as a phased FDR-C can result in longitudinal cracking and compromise the structural integrity of the roadway section.
To maintain traffic flow in all directions, staff worked with the contractor to revise the structural section at the intersection to Class II Aggregate Base. This alternative can be constructed in phases without negatively impacting the structural performance of the roadway section. The cost provided by the contractor for this change is $189,175.75. This change is necessary due to the revised construction materials required to maintain traffic flow in all directions, as well as the additional traffic phasing needed to concentrate construction efforts at the Riggin Avenue and Shirk Street intersection. This change order was reviewed and recommend for approval by the change order on May 27, 2026.
Fiscal Impact: The Riggin Avenue widening project is a multi-funded project with funds budgeted from Transportation Impact Fee (241), Measure R Regional Fund (133), and an Economic Development Administration Grant. There are sufficient funds available in the project contingency budget to fund construction change order no. 7.
See the project funding breakdown below:
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Riggin Widening Project Kelsey to Shirk Budget |
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Riggin Avenue Project Budget (CP0398) |
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Measure R Regional Funds (Fund 133) |
$4,265,000 |
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Traffic Impact Fee (Fund 241) |
$4,775,000 |
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Economic Development Administration Grant |
$4,000,000 |
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Total Project Funding |
$13,040,000 |
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Estimated Project Costs: |
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Project Management & Misc. |
$200,000 |
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Design Services |
$375,000 |
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Land Acquisition & Acquisition Services (Right-of-way) |
$1,180,000 |
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Utility Relocation (SCE relocation Agreement) |
$1,200,000 |
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Construction (Agee Construction Corp) |
$8,098,281 |
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Construction Contingency (10% of Construction) |
$809,828 |
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Traffic Signal Pole |
$105,500 |
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Equipment Purchase |
$25,000 |
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Construction Management ~(3.5%) |
$315,000 |
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Construction Services (Material Testing, Inspection, Survey) ~ (8.5%) |
$500,000 |
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Total Estimated Project Costs: |
$12,808,609 |
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Construction Contingency Left: |
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Total Construction Contingency |
$809,828 |
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Construction Change Order #1 (Cal Water Main Reimbursable) |
($346,736) |
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Construction Change Orders #2-6 |
($238,340.25) |
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Construction Change Order #7 (This Change Order) |
($189,175.75) |
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Total Construction Contingency Left in Budget: |
$35,576 |
Prior Council Action:
December 15, 2025
Council approved construction change order #1 in the amount of $346,736 to Agee Construction Corp for the Riggin Avenue Widening Project Kelsey St to Shirk St.
May 19, 2025
Council received staff presentation outlining the construction phases of work, traffic detours, and resident impacts for the Riggin Avenue Widening Project Kelsey St to Shirk St.
April 21, 2025
Council authorized the purchase of traffic signal poles from Jam Services, Inc., for $105,462.00, for the Riggin Ave. and Shirk St intersection associated with the Riggin Widening project from Kelsey St. to Shirk St.
April 21, 2025
Council authorized the City Manager to award the construction contract with Agee Construction Corporation for the Riggin Widening project from Kelsey St. to Shirk St. in the amount of $8,098,281.00; authorized the transfer of Measure R Regional Funds and the amendment to Measure R Supplemental Agreements.
October 21, 2024
Council Authorized the City Manager to execute and agreement with NV5, Inc. to provide construction management services for two City projects 1) Shirk Street Capacity Enhancement Project from School Ave to Riggin Ave and 2) Riggin Avenue Widening Project from Kelsey St to Shirk St in the amount of $545,707.60 & $259,369.23 respectively, combined total of $805,076.83
August 5, 2024
Council authorized the execution of Southern California Edison (SCE) Facilities Relocation Agreement for $1,081,000.00 and adopt resolution 2024-46 for the Riggin Avenue Widening Project Kelsey St to Shirk St. Project.
October 17, 2022
Council accepted grant award from the U.S. Economic Administration (EDA) for $4,000,000 and executed the EDA grant agreement for the construction of Riggin Avenue Widening project from Kelsey St to Shirk St.
March 21, 2022
Adopted resolution No. 2022-09 certifying Mitigated Negative Declaration No. 2021-62 prepared for CEQA compliance as part of the Economic Development Administration (EDA) ARPA Grant for construction of the Riggin Widening Project from Kelsey Street to Shirk Street (State clearing house No. 2022010046) (Resolution No. 2022-09 required).
March 15, 2021
Conference with Real Property Negotiators (Pursuant to G.C. Section 54956.8 Property: Portion of APN 077-200-006 generally located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Riggin Avenue and Shirk Street.
Conference with Real Property Negotiators (Pursuant to G.C. Section 54956.8 Property: Portion of APN 077-100-088 generally located at the northeast corner of the intersection of Riggin Avenue and Shirk Street.
Conference with Real Property Negotiators (Pursuant to G.C. Section 54956.8 Property: Portion of APN 077-480-001 generally located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Riggin Avenue and Kelsey Street.
September 8, 2020
Conference with Real Property Negotiators (Pursuant to G.C. Section 54956.8 Property: Portion of APN 077-480-001 generally located at the northwest corner of the intersection of Riggin Avenue and Kelsey Street.
August 17, 2020
Council authorized the City Manager to enter into a contract with 4Creeks Inc., for RFP 19-20-60 to prepare Plans, Specifications, Estimates, and Environmental Services for the Riggin Avenue Widening Project from Kelsey Street to Shirk Street, in the amount not to exceed $200,000.00.
April 6, 2020
Council authorized the execution of a measure R Supplement Agreement with the Tulare County Association of Governments (TCAG) to secure $3.5 million of Measure R Regional Funds for the Riggin Ave. Widening from Kelsey St to Shirk
Alternatives: None recommended.
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to approve construction change order #7 in the amount of $189,175.75 to Agee Construction Corp Inc for the Riggin Avenue widening project from Kelsey St. to Shirk St.
Environmental Assessment Status: None required.
CEQA Review: CEQA Exemption - 2024-48
Deadline for Action: 06/01/2026
Attachments: 1. Construction Change Order Breakdown
Strategic Goal: Indicates which City Strategic Goal(s) this item supports. Check all that apply.
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☒ Economic Vitality |
☐  Organizational Excellence |
☐ Fiscal Strength |
☒  Infrastructure & Growth |
☒  Quality of Life |