Council approves GPD contract to design Rockside Road signal upgrades; construction funding still tentative

The City Council accepted a proposal from GPD Group to provide design engineering services for the Rockside Road traffic-signal system upgrade and placed the contract on the consent agenda for adoption. The council discussion centered on design scope, contingency and how construction might be funded.

Council members and city engineering staff said the upgrade would include new controllers, new cabinets, detection and added fiber to the signal-control system. "We've also wanted to add some fiber to the control signal system," an engineering presenter said as the project scope was reviewed. The presenter said the design and permitting process will take multiple years and construction is anticipated in 2027 or 2028.

The presenter told the council the base fee and contingency figures had been finalized with GPD: "the base speed of 464002 31 is a couple year process," a figure read during the meeting. The project team recommended a 10% contingency because signal design can require additional work during detailed engineering; the presenter said design professional-fee percentages for signal projects often reach 15%–20% in practice.

Council members asked about funding. The finance director said the draft Capital Improvement Plan (CIP) includes a $250,000 line for the project in 2025 and additional appropriations in 2026 and 2027. The engineering presenter said the construction estimate being discussed is roughly $3,000,000 and that the project expects about $900,000 in Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) grant funding, with the remainder to be local match.

Council placed the ordinance accepting GPD’s proposal on the consent agenda and the consent agenda was adopted by roll call, which moved the design authorization forward. Staff said, if the council authorizes the full contract amount now, the city could break purchase orders into smaller increments so the vendor would not be paid for work scheduled in later years until funds are appropriated.

The council and staff did not adopt construction contracts at the meeting; funding and final construction schedules remain subject to future appropriations and grant awards.

The ordinance accepting GPD’s proposal was listed in the meeting agenda as Ordinance 2025-113 and was approved as part of the consent agenda.

Less-critical details: staff described GPD’s local office expansion and noted the firm has added engineers; design and construction timing will depend on detailed design, permit review and multi-year CIP appropriations.