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Council awards Hillby Avenue traffic calming contract, plans red-curb, speed cushions and striping
Summary
Council awarded a construction contract to Monterey Peninsula Engineering for a Hillby Avenue traffic calming project that will add red curb daylighting, speed cushions, striping and other measures to reduce speeds on the corridor; council approved a 10% contingency and a construction schedule of about 50 days.
The Seaside City Council approved a construction contract to install traffic-calming measures on Hillby Avenue, a corridor residents have identified as a high-speed concern.
Public Works Director Thomas Corman told the council the project includes red-curb daylighting at intersections, centerline and edge-line striping, sharrows, and a series of speed cushions designed to CalFire, police and fire criteria. “The speed cushion has been located. Public has weighed in on that. They’ve been designed to replicate the speed cushions that are on the CSUMB campus approved by fire and police,” Corman said.
Scope and cost: the lowest responsible bidder was Monterey Peninsula Engineering at $446,046; staff recommended a 10 percent construction contingency and contract management and inspection services, bringing the total project budget to $569,218.60. Staff said the full implementation covers Hillby from Canyon Del Rey up to General Jim Moore, with a reduced-scope approach in the upper section to avoid rework where future storm-drain improvements are planned. Staff estimated a 50-day construction contract once the notice to proceed is issued.
Why it matters: Council members and residents said speeding on Hillby has caused repeated complaints. The package also includes a slurry seal on lower Hillby as part of pavement maintenance and integrates daylighting consistent with California law to improve pedestrian visibility.
Council and public response: Council debated contractor selection and public commenters urged awarding the contract to Granite Rock, a longtime local firm, even though Granite Rock’s low bid was approximately $7,270 higher. One longtime resident urged selecting Granite Rock because of past performance; the city attorney advised the council that law requires selection of the lowest responsible and responsive bidder. After discussion, the council approved the staff recommendation. Council recorded the final vote as three ayes and one no (Council Member Miller cast the lone no vote on the motion).
Next steps: staff will execute the contract, establish the contingency, and schedule construction to complete before mid-summer. The public works team said measures will be placed to preserve parking where possible and to maintain a wheel path for bicycles and motorcycles around the cushions.
Ending: City staff said the improvement aims to reduce observed speeds on Hillby to closer match the posted limit and to improve pedestrian safety during construction on the lower corridor this season.
