December 17,2014
The Morro Creek Multi-Use Trail and Bridge Project was approved for design in July, 2013. The design was completed and all permits acquired in August, 2014. Additional funding was procured to cover increases in anticipated costs due to design changes (emergency vehicle loading and lighting) and revised cost estimates based on detailed design.
The initial Invitation for Bids resulted in a low bid from Souza Construction of $1,560,560. As this exceeded available funds, Council rejected all bids on October 28, 2014 and the project was redesigned to reduce costs. Cost-saving redesign features include a more cost-effective foundation installation method, a less complex boardwalk stamped concrete pattern, and a reduction in landscape maintenance requirements from 5 years to 90. The project was re-advertised on November 2.
One of the risks in rebidding this project was associated with meeting the December 31, 2014 award deadline as prescribed by the funding agency; awarding the project now, allows the City to meet this deadline.
At the December 2 council meeting the city awarded the contract for the Morro Creek Multi-Use Trail and Bridge Project to CalPortland Construction of Santa Maria, CA in the amount of $1,184,654. The City Engineer’s estimate for this project is $1,200,000. The construction phase of the project, including construction management services, is substantially funded by a grant from federal and state funds in the amount of $1,268,000. The funding application commits the City to a match of $168,670 allotting total available funds at $1,436,670.
Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities
The proposed project will include an extension of Harborwalk with a pedestrian boardwalk and separate bike path from existing parking area and crossing on Embarcadero Avenue northward 1,200 feet adjacent to the recently restored native dune scrub and snowy pl over habitat area. Additionally, a bicycle and pedestrian bridge would extend the pedestrian boardwalk and bike path across Morro Creek to connect to north Morro Bay on Atascadero
Road (State Route 41). And, as the new trail approaches the proposed Morro Creek Bike/Ped bridge there will be an opportunity for cyclists or pedestrians to follow the trail to the proposed interpretive area where a bike parking facility will be located.
