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Council approves design‑to‑construction services for Bignonia Avenue culvert replacement, cites utility risks
Summary
The council authorized construction‑phase engineering services for the Bignonia Avenue culvert replacement and moved $156,442 from stormwater savings to supplement the project budget; staff warned of major utility risks if force mains are disturbed during excavation.
The Melbourne City Council on Feb. 25 approved a task order to add construction‑phase engineering services for the Bignonia Avenue culvert replacement project and authorized a budget supplement to keep the work on schedule.
Staff told the council the culvert under Bignonia Avenue is more than 40 years old and failing; it carries final discharge from an approximately 50‑acre drainage basin into Crane Creek. The city awarded Infrastructure Solution Services (ISS) a task order (MLA002) for construction administration and related services not to exceed $97,610.
City staff said the site is especially sensitive because two major utility force mains intersect the work area — one 24‑inch sewer force main and a raw‑water line — one running above and one below the culvert. If either force main were exposed or damaged during excavation it could cause an immediate environmental discharge to the lagoon and trigger large fines or emergency repairs, staff warned.
Because the current project appropriation was not adequate, staff reported an administrative budget transfer of $156,442 from stormwater unappropriated savings to bring the project budget to $784,589. That total includes a previously approved change order of $32,402 to stabilize utility piping during excavation and a contingency of approximately $26,000 for unforeseen conditions.
Council approved the task order and the supplemental transfer. Staff said contractor selection and construction sequencing must account for one‑way access in the neighborhood and rapid responses to utility relocations. Staff also described a phased approach that will allow utility companies to relocate ahead of roadway work and noted the project relies on timely coordination with utilities, including FPL.
The council did not record a roll‑call vote for the task order in the minutes; the motion was approved by majority voice vote. Staff will return with construction updates and manage the contingency fund as needed.
