Manassas Park awards Polk Drive signal contract; staff to use additional streets funds to cover shortfall

The Manassas Park governing body voted March 17 to award a construction contract for a traffic-signal upgrade at Polk Drive and Manassas Drive to Philip C. Clark Electrical Contractor, with a project total not to exceed $398,812.06.

Calvin O'Dell, the city's director of community development, told the council that Wallace Montgomery completed the feasibility study and design. Bids for construction were received Feb. 26, 2026; Philip C. Clark was the low bidder at $362,556.42. That left a base-bid funding shortfall of $153,894.42 after accounting for previously allocated funds, and staff recommended tapping the additional streets capital line (current FY26 balance $263,137.87) to cover the difference and to include a contingency.

"Staff recommends that the project be awarded to Philip C. Clark Electrical Contractor in an amount not to exceed $362,556.42, along with a contingency of $36,255.64 for a project total not to exceed $398,812.06," O'Dell said. Councilmember questions focused on timeline and system features: O'Dell said the signal will be upgraded from electromagnetic loop detection to the city's standard overhead video detection and will include emergency-vehicle preemption and accessible crosswalks with detectable warning strips to meet MUTCD standards.

O'Dell estimated installation could take about six months once work begins but warned that unforeseen utility conflicts or other site conditions could cause delays. He also explained the city has used the "additional streets" line in past years to match VDOT projects and supplement resurfacing and concrete repairs.

Council voted to approve the award and directed the city manager to sign the construction agreement subject to city attorney review.