Commission approves two Park East Boulevard change orders; project roughly 60% complete

The Lafayette Redevelopment Commission on July 24 approved two change orders for the Park East Boulevard project that together increase the construction contract and address unanticipated drainage, traffic control and concrete work.

Jake Goodman, project engineer with Butler, Furman and Cypher, told the Commission the items before them were Change Order 6 and Change Order 7. “What you have before you is change order 6 and change order 7,” Goodman said, and then summarized the specific additions tied to utility conflicts, traffic-control changes and stamped concrete at the Hagerty roundabout.

Change Order 6 increases the contract by $56,415.45, bringing that revised contract amount to $21,532,474.28, Goodman said. Change Order 7 covers several items — added maintenance-of-traffic signage tied to a detour for Hagerty Lane, work on existing underdrains at tie-in points, additional labor for stamped concrete on the truck apron at the Hagerty roundabout, and extra curb turnouts installed where storm-sewer installation conflicted with a CenterPoint Energy encroachment. Goodman reported the increase for Change Order 7 is $19,619 and said the new contract amount after Change Order 7 is $21,552,093.28; staff also noted a net difference from the original engineer's estimate on the overall project.

Josh (staff member) described the storm-sewer conflict at Hagerty and the response: because the sewer could not be installed where planned due to the utility encroachment, crews added eight curb turnouts and some handwork to route surface water to ditches.

Commissioners approved each change order by separate motions and voice vote. For Change Order 6 a commissioner moved approval and it was seconded; a voice vote returned “Aye.” For Change Order 7 the Commission moved and seconded the motion and again approved by voice vote. The meeting transcript records only voice votes, not a roll-call tally.

Goodman also provided a construction update: the project was roughly 60% complete at the time of the meeting. He said crews were working on asphalt from Hagerty to McCarty, that the Hagerty roundabout had been opened to through traffic (with partial restrictions as northbound work continues), and that water main and sanitary lines were installed and undergoing testing. He detailed ongoing earthwork, embankment, lighting foundation installation along Saint Francis Way, lane restrictions at McCarty and milling operations. When asked about timing, staff said substantial completion is scheduled for Dec. 5 and that final completion is scheduled for July of next year.

Why this matters: Park East Boulevard is a major infrastructure project in Lafayette. The approved change orders address on-site conflicts and finishing details that affect contractor costs, the contractor’s contract amount, and the timing and sequencing of work in public travel lanes.

The Commission continued to monitor the project and then moved on to other agenda items.