Agenda Item Wording:
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Caldwell Avenue Widening Project Traffic and Construction Impacts: Receive a staff presentation outlining the construction phases of work, traffic detours, closures and resident impacts for the Caldwell Avenue Widening Project from Santa Fe Street to Lovers Lane.
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Deadline for Action: 5/19/2025
Submitting Department: Community Development
Contact Name and Phone Number:
Eric Bons, Senior Civil Engineer, eric.bons@visalia.city, 713-4350
Chris Crawford, City Engineer, chris.crawford@visalia.city, 713-4331
Jason Huckleberry, Engineering and Building Department Director, Jason.huckleberry@visalia.city, 713-4495
Department Recommendation:
Staff recommends that the City Council accept the construction phasing plan and staff presentation on the construction impacts, traffic detours, street closures and resident impacts associated with the Caldwell Avenue Widening Project from Santa Fe Street to Lovers Lane.
Background Discussion:
The Caldwell Avenue Widening Project started on May 5, 2025. The current work mostly involves minor traffic impacts for work outside of the travel lanes. The project, from Santa Fe Street to Lovers Lane, will widen Caldwell Avenue from 2-lanes to 4-lanes with a raised center median, curb, gutter, storm drain system, sanitary sewer main extension, sidewalk, and a multi-use pathway. The County of Tulare also has a project for Caldwell Avenue (Ave. 280) from Lovers Lane to S. Virginia Avenue widening from 2-lanes to 4-lanes with construction anticipated to begin in the summer of 2026. The widening of Caldwell Avenue within the City of Visalia and the County of Tulare is part of a regional corridor enhancement project from Highway 99 to the City of Exeter to ease congestion along this corridor.
The roadway improvements will be a complete replacement of the roadway structural section which adds complexity to the project at major intersections when combined with large traffic volumes. Construction phases will be planned and coordinated to achieve cost efficiencies while keeping the public impacts to a minimum.
The length of the roadway improvements is approximately 1.5 miles. The project will have significant impacts to motorists who utilize this corridor. The construction time is estimated to be 12 months.
People who travel through this area frequently are encouraged to sign up for text alerts by texting CALDWELL to 1-817-741-6014 to receive project updates.
Project Phase & Traffic Control:
The project is expected to be constructed in 3 phases as follows:
Phase 1: (May 2025 through July 2025)
The initial phase of construction will involve the verification of the location and depth of the existing utilities, clearing of the existing shoulders, installation of new underground utilities, the relocation of existing utilities, installation of storm drain piping, and constructing the roadway improvements outside of the existing travel ways. The existing pedestrian ramps at the existing roadways connecting to Caldwell Avenue (primary along the north side of Caldwell Avenue) will be reconstructed to meet the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements. Curb and gutter will be constructed along both sides of the roadway where it does not impact the current travel ways.
This phase of construction will include work on the shoulder of the roadway outside of the existing travel way. While there may be some minor shifting of lanes, one lane of travel in each direction will remain operational during this phase of construction for the majority of the work. However, there may be some periods where only one lane is open with traffic controlled with flagger personnel. Traffic signals may be placed in flashing all way stop mode for portions of this work.
Phase 2: (July 2025 through December 2025)
Construction will install underground utilities, the relocation of existing utilities, the replacement of the southerly half of the box culvert at the Tulare Irrigation Ditch and at Cameron Creek, the installation of portions of the median curbing, and the construction of the roadway improvements for the southerly half of Caldwell Avenue along with the reconstruction of the major intersections. This phase will also include modifications to the traffic signal at the signalized intersections.
This phase of construction may include some flagging operations associated with the reconstruction of the southerly half of the intersections at Burke Street, and Ben Maddox Way. The intersection of Lovers Lane at Caldwell will be addressed separately. Traffic signals may be placed in flashing all way stop mode for portions of the work in this phase.
Phase 3: (December 2025 through Summer 2026)
The construction will consist of the roadway improvements for the northerly half of Caldwell Avenue, the installation of median curbing, the northerly half of the box culvert at the Tulare Irrigation Ditch and at Cameron Creek, complete the modifications to the signalized intersections, installation of sidewalk, streetlighting, median landscaping, and other roadway improvements for a complete project.
The north side of Caldwell Avenue will be rebuilt while traffic will be utilizing the constructed south half during this phase. The intersections at Burke Street, Ben Maddox Way, Pinkham Street, and Lovers Lane will be reconstructed during this phase. Each one of these intersections will be reconstructed and only one intersection will be worked on at a single time. City staff is working with the contractor to determine a systematic and time effective approach to each intersection. The intersection of Lovers Lane at Caldwell Avenue is the intersection that could involve night work and/or some detours. Alternative paving methods are being discussed with the contractor to aid with the construction methods to shorten the duration of construction within each intersection.
This phase of construction will involve limited closures to the minor side streets such as Stover Street, Virmargo Street, and Villa Street. These are residential streets that have alternate access points entering and exiting each subdivision. The reconstruction of the intersections at Burke Street, Ben Maddox Way, and Pinkham Street will involve some flagging and limited closures. Only one of these intersections will be impacted at a time to limit the impacts to the traffic at each intersection. Traffic signals may be placed in flashing all way stop mode for portions of the work in this phase.
Access to the adjacent land owners, businesses, and residents will be maintained during each phase of construction.
City staff will be working with the construction manager and the contractor to inform the public of the various stages of the construction process. This will be accomplished by the use of the following methods.
• Project mailers were distributed the week of May 5th 2025 to properties within a one-half mile radius notifying them of the upcoming project and the public presentation to occur on May 19, 2025 at Council chambers.
• Construction mailers have been sent out to properties within ¼ mile of the project.
• A text alert number has been created to provide the public with a means to receive project updates as the construction progresses.
• The City will utilize its social media sites to provide periodic updates as the project progresses,
• Press releases will be sent out as project milestones are met and when the project transitions from each phase.
City staff intends to notify the public of all pertinent project information to mitigate inconveniences and frustrations as often arise with large street projects.
The total duration of the construction of this project is projected to be 12 months with a completion in early summer of 2026 The three (3) phases are expected to occur within the following periods. There may be some overlap between the phases to allow for the various construction methods. All timelines listed below are approximate and are subject to change.
Phase 1: May 2025 through July 2025
Phase 2: July 2025 through December 2025
Phase 3: December 2025 through Summer 2026.
Fiscal Impact:
This project is funded by SB1-LPP funds and Measure R funds as shown in the following table.
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Project Funding: |
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Measure R Regional (Fund 133) |
$19,431,780 |
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Measure R Local (Fund 131) |
$783,300 |
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Senate Bill1 - Local Partnership Program (ROW phase) |
$400,000 |
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Senate Bill1 - Local Partnership Program (Construction phase) |
$3,844,000 |
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Total Project Estimate |
$24,459,080 |
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Project Cost: |
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Environmental Process |
$50,000 |
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Design Consultant (4Creeks) |
$1,539,231 |
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Estimate City Design & RW Support |
$325,000 |
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RW Estimate (see above) |
$1,600,000 |
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Estimate Pole Relocation at Burke Street |
$140,000 |
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Estimate Culvert Permits |
$325,000 |
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Estimate Electrical Service |
$50,000 |
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Construction Bid (Avison Construction) |
$14,741,768 |
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Construction Management (Vanir) |
$480,090 |
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Construction Testing (Krazan) |
$221,835 |
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Estimate City Construction Staff & Misc. Const. |
$278,165 |
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Estimate Construction Surveying/Staking |
$125,000 |
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Construction Contingency (20%) |
$3,000,000 |
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Total Project Estimate |
$22,876,089 |
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Summary: |
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Project Funding |
$24,459,080 |
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Project Cost |
$22,876,089 |
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Project Budget Remain: Surplus / (Deficit) |
$1,582,991 |
Prior Council Action:
March 7, 2025: City Council authorized the fee payment of $121,000 to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation for mitigation credits for the Caldwell Avenue Widening Project from Santa Fe Street to Lovers Lane.
January 11, 2025: City Council authorized the execution of an agreement with Krazan & Associates, Inc. to provide Geotechnical Material Testing Services for the Caldwell Avenue Widening Project from Santa Fe Street to Lovers Lane in the amount of $221,835.
December 16, 2024: City Council authorized approval of Amendment No. 6 with 4Creeks, Inc. in the amount of $104,630.00 for additional design services related to the Caldwell Avenue Widening Project from Santa Fe Street to Lovers Lane.
November 18, 2024: City Council authorized the award of the construction contract for the Caldwell Avenue Widening Project from Santa Fe Street to Lovers Lane to Avison Construction, Inc. in the amount of $14,741,768.00 and execute an agreement with Vanir Construction Management, Inc. to provide construction management services for the Caldwell Avenue Widening project from Santa Fe Street to Lovers Lane in the amount of $480,090.00.
October 7, 2024: City Council accepted an update on the real property negotiations for properties needed for the Caldwell Avenue Widening from Santa Fe Street to Lovers Lane Project (CP8268).
September 16, 2024: City Council authorized approval of Amendment No. 5 with 4Creeks Inc, in the amount of $103,246.00 for additional design services related to the Caldwell Avenue Widening Project from Santa Fe Street to Lovers Lane and accept and appropriate funds allocated from the Senate Bill 1 - Local Partnership Formulaic Program (SB1-LPP) in the amount of $3,844,000.
June 3, 2024: City Council authorized the City Manager to execute a cooperative agreement for reimbursement with the County of Tulare for the installation of a sewer main in Avenue 280 (Caldwell Avenue) from Lovers Lane (Rd. 140) to Rd. 144 and the appropriation of $535,000 from the Wastewater Trunkline Fund (231).
April 1, 2024: City Council accepted an update on the real property negotiations for the properties needed for the Caldwell Avenue Widening from Santa Fe Street to Lovers Lane Project (CP8268).
December 18, 2023: City Council accepted an update on the real property negotiations for the properties need for the Caldwell Avenue Widening form Santa Fe Street to Lovers Lane Project (CP8268).
September 18, 2023: City Council accepted an update on the real property negotiations for properties needed for the Caldwell Avenue Widening from Santa Fe Street to Lover Lane Project (CP8268)
August 7, 2023: City Council adopted a Resolution of Necessity to acquire property and temporary construction easements for portions of eight separate properties along Caldwell Avenue between Santa Fe Street and Lovers Lane for the purpose of widening Caldwell Avenue (CP8268).
June 5, 2023: City Council accepted an update on the real property negotiations for properties needed for the Caldwell Avenue Widening from Santa Fe Street to Lovers Lane Project (CP8268).
October 4, 2021: Council accepted and authorized an appropriation of $1,387,000 from the Senate Bill 1 - Local Partnership Program (SB1-LPP) for the Caldwell Avenue Widening from Santa Fe to Lovers Lane Project (CP8268)
September 21, 2020: Council authorized approval of Amendment Number 2 with 4Creeks Inc. in the amount of $489,755.00 bringing the contract from $768,000.00 to $1,257,755.00 for additional services related to the Caldwell Avenue Widening from Santa Fe to Lovers Lane (CP8268)
April 20, 2020: Council authorized amending the Measure R Supplemental Agreement for the Caldwell Avenue Widening from Santa Fe to Lovers Lane (CP8268) due to increase in the scope of work.
May 2, 2016: Council authorized a contract with 4Creeks Engineering Co. for RFP 15-16-49 to prepare Plans, Specifications, and Estimate for the Caldwell Avenue Widening from Santa Fe to Lovers Lane.
November 21, 2022: Council, in closed session, approved property appraisals and authorized City staff and consultant to purchase properties with authority to pay up to twenty percent above appraised value.
Other: None
Alternatives: None
Recommended Motion (and Alternative Motions if expected):
recommendation
I move to accept the construction phasing plan and staff presentation on the construction impacts, traffic detours, street closures and resident impacts associated with the Caldwell Avenue Widening Project from Santa Fe Street to Lovers Lane.
end
Environmental Assessment Status:
The environmental assessment has been completed.
CEQA Review:
Conducted by the County of Tulare for the Avenue 280 (Caldwell Avenue) Corridor Enhancement Project.
Attachments:
1. Project Location Map
2. Project Construction Phasing Presentation