Council Ok’s design contracts, ROW acquisitions for road improvements
The Murfreesboro City Council voted Thursday (December 20) to approve several design, maintenance and consulting contracts for roadway improvements.
Council approved the $84,370 design contract with Nashville-based Energy Land & Infrastructure, LLC for roadway improvements to Robert Rose Drive and Thompson Lane. The project will add an additional right turn lane from Robert Rose Drive to northbound Thompson Lane. When completed, the additional lane will enhance functionality and safety of the intersection. Design funding is provided by the Congestion Hot Spot Program. Future bond issuance will fund construction.
Council approved approximately $91,450 in consulting contracts for services necessary to initiate the Mercury Boulevard Sidewalk Project Phase I. Property Group was awarded an estimated $38,250 for Right-of-Way (ROW) appraisal services contract and R. Rhett Turner & Associates was awarded an estimated $53,200 for review appraisal services contract. The ROW costs will be funded by the City’s Capital Improvement Project (CIP). Portions of the approximately 22 ROW tracts’ costs will likely be reduced because the City anticipates several tracts will fall under Nominal Payment Parcel (NPP).
The City received the Notice to Proceed for the ROW Phase for the Mercury Boulevard Project from the Tennessee Department of Transportation. TDOT’s Transportation Alternative Program provides for 80 percent of the construction costs. Federal funding for the project requires adherence to the Uniformed Relocation Assistance and Real Properties Acquisition Policies Act. The federal policy requires separation of appraisals, review appraisals and negotiation services and explains the need for two contractual agreements.
The Mercury Boulevard Sidewalk Project will enhance safety along the corridor by providing pedestrian features such as sidewalks and signalized crossing at the signalized intersections.
Phase 1 will provide a complete sidewalk linkage from SE Broad Street to Middle Tennessee Blvd. along Mercury Blvd. All 7,200 feet of sidewalks will be ADA compliant, and will include pedestrian crosswalks at the signalized intersections along Mercury Blvd. Crossing push buttons pedestrian signal indicators will also enhance safety along the corridor. The construction phase of Phase 1 is anticipated during the summer of 2019 with anticipated completion in December 2019.
The Transportation Alternative Grant is made possible through a federally funded program formerly known as Transportation Enhancement and is administered by TDOT. A variety of activities, such as the restoration of historic facilities, bike and pedestrian trails, landscaping and other non-traditional transportation projects, are eligible for grant funds under the program.
Council approved $2.481 million contract awarded to low bidder, Rawso, LLC for construction of the Northfield Boulevard Extension-Phase 1. Primary funding for the Northfield Extension stems from the land sale with Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital for a pediatric clinic and ambulatory center on Garrison Drive. Phase 1 will extend Northfield Blvd. from Garrison Drive to Thompson Lane.
Council also approved a $204,400 annual traffic maintenance contract with Murfreesboro-based S&W Contracting Company, Inc. for installation and maintenance of traffic signals, street lights and fiber optic communications. The 3-year contract is renewable with one two-year option.
