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City says Railroad Canyon safety upgrades cost rose as scope and bids increased; council approves amendments with no general-fund impact
Summary
City manager explained that scope changes, inflation and added safety features increased the HSIP Railroad Canyon project budget; council approved contract amendments covered by grants and other funds, with no hit to the general fund.
City staff explained reasons behind recent amendments to the Railroad Canyon Highway Safety Improvement Program (HSIP) project and the council approved those amendments during the consent calendar.
The city manager traced the project back to the Local Roadway Safety Plan (LRSP) completed and adopted in March–April 2022 and said changes in scope, multiple changes in city managers and delayed bidding contributed to higher bid results in 2025. He told the council the original Caltrans grant (about $1.213 million) was increased to roughly $2.0 million after bids came in higher and scope was expanded to include crash attenuators and lighting in key locations.
Staff emphasized the project is funded by grants and other non–general-fund sources; the city manager said the amendments represent a $0 general-fund impact. He described construction sequencing and typical supply delays (noting lighting components are back-ordered with an expected delivery in June) and praised the prime contractor for cooperation. Council approved the amendments by roll-call vote.
The council framed the work as an attempt to improve safety on what they described as a dangerous local roadway and lauded staff for securing grant funding.
Action taken: Council approved the contract amendments and accepted the additional grant funding as presented, with the city manager and engineering staff to follow up on schedule and supply issues.
Votes and movers: The motion to approve was made by Council member Seabury/Terry (recorded in the transcript as Council member Terry) and seconded by the mayor Pro Tem; roll-call showed all present voting aye.
