Council authorizes design contract for Lone Tree Way at‑grade widening; ECREFA to fund majority

The City Council on Jan. 27 authorized engineering design services to advance the Lone Tree Way/Union Pacific at‑grade crossing project, approving a professional services agreement with Kimley‑Horn & Associates not to exceed $1,215,231 (design fee $1,104,755 plus 10% contingency).

Engineering Manager Anju Pule summarized the project history and revised scope. An earlier proposal envisaged a six‑lane undercrossing; after funding constraints and a March 2025 variance from Union Pacific, the scope was revised to a four‑lane at‑grade widening of Lone Tree Way (Fairview Avenue to Medallion Drive) with turn lanes, bike lanes, sidewalks, landscaping, green infrastructure and utility relocations. The revised construction estimate is approximately $21,750,000, down from a prior $40,000,000 underpass estimate.

Pule said the East Contra Costa Regional Fee Financing Authority (ECREFA) will fund up to 82% of the project (approximately $17.835M). The remaining 18% would come from development impact fees and a transfer from an innovation‑center CIP that staff said would not delay the recently awarded utility extension for the innovation site. The project also includes required safety enhancements at four other railroad crossings in the city (ADA upgrades, striping, signs, lighting and possibly a pre‑signal at Balfour Road).

Council members emphasized safety and asked staff to ensure traffic analyses and coordination with Union Pacific will provide appropriate safety measures. Staff noted that Union Pacific reviews and must approve plans, and the city must enter into maintenance and construction agreements with the railroad before construction proceeds. Construction is projected to start in 2028‑29 if approvals and funding proceed on schedule.

The council adopted the resolution authorizing the agreement and associated CIP and budget amendments by unanimous roll call.