The Brazos River Park Road Extension is part of Brazos River Park Phase 2, which is one of the approved Parks Bond election in 2013. This project will provide improved connectivity between Brazos River Park and Memorial Park, making these parks a greater recreation destination. This was the modified vision after realizing the potential impacts to the proposed park improvements by the ongoing river erosion.
The original concept envisioned a 10-ft wide crushed concrete trail allowing pedestrian access from Memorial Park to the Brazos River Park and the Festival Site as well as a route for City staff to be able to drive maintenance vehicles across the entire site. This direction was modified after the erosion issues on the Brazos River negatively impacted proposed improvements and TXDOT was forced to close the US 59 turnaround under the Brazos River bridge due to river erosion taking a portion of the road. Due to this closure, vehicular access to the Brazos Park has been restricted significantly. Therefore, in order to provide additional access to the Brazos River Park, a concrete road with a parallel concrete trail was proposed to not only improve the connectivity between Memorial Park and the Brazos River Park but also allow access for vehicles and pedestrians to the parks on a daily basis and during special events.
The design of the connector road was completed in May 2020. The construction bid includes the base bid and two bid alternates:
- Base Bid - a two-lane approximately one-mile long concrete roadway with pavement markings; four (4) concrete box culverts at the low water crossing over the LID 17 outfall channel; and a 10-ft pedestrian concrete trail with signs and landscaping
- Alternate A - irrigation system
- Alternate B - illumination/lighting
An invitation to bid was advertised on May 27 and June 3, 2020. Bids were opened on June 18, 2020, with seven (7) bids received. The bid summary is as follows:
The recommended qualifying low bidder is 717 Construction Services, LLC with a total bid of $2,089.119.10. The engineer’s opinion of probable cost is $2,571,606.00.
Funding for this construction contract is identified in the City’s Capital Improvement Program CIP PK1606. Anticipated funding needs are as follows:
Construction: $ 2,089,119.10
Materials Testing / Construction Phase Services $ 75,000.00
5% Contingency $ 104,460.00
Total budget needs $ 2,268,579.10
Available Funding in CIP PK1606 $ 3,211,355.00
The remaining funds will be used for other 2013 Park Bond projects which are the First Colony Trail and Ditch H trail projects which are both under design. The Notice to Proceed for the project is anticipated to be issued in August 2020. The construction is to be completed within 270 calendar days (9 months), placing final completion in May 2021.
The Engineering Department and the Parks and Recreation Department recommend City Council to authorize the execution of a construction contract with 717 Construction Services LLC., for CIP PK1606 Brazos River Park Road Extension in the amount of $2,089,119.10.