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Board approves design amendment for Plymouth Lake Boulevard SR-70 interchange after federal funding award
Summary
Public Works presented an amendment to the Wood Rodgers design contract for the Plymouth Lake Boulevard SR-70 interchange; the project has $35 million in construction funding and the amendment addresses new federal and Caltrans requirements, which increased design scope and schedule.
Sam Lutton of Public Works told the board the Plymouth Lake Boulevard interchange Phase 2 project—originating from the Plumas Lake specific plan—has been awarded $35,000,000 in construction funding and now requires additional design work and coordination with Caltrans and other agencies.
Lutton described Amendment No. 2 to the Wood Rodgers Inc. design agreement as necessary to address federal requirements, permit and environmental agency comments, and the technical work needed to eliminate an at-grade railroad crossing and add a southbound ramp to serve a new sports-and-entertainment zone. "This is the first time that interchange has had federal dollars on it," Lutton said, noting that federal funding introduced additional reviews and requirements.
Supervisors questioned line items in the amendment, including a roughly $100,000 allocation for two additional years of meeting support and the overall percentage increase in design fees. Lutton explained the contract is not a lump-sum invoice and that unused time is not billed; he said the amendment represents roughly 7–8% of the expected $45 million construction cost, which aligns with standard design-cost expectations (10–15% typical range).
The board approved the amendment to advance design activity toward a 2026 construction schedule; supervisors asked staff to cancel standing meetings if they are unnecessary and to continue close coordination with Caltrans as design proceeds.
