HomeMy WebLinkAbout06. 12-352
JULY 10, 2012 12-352 RESOLUTION
(CARRIED___7-0_____LOST________LAID OVER________WITHDRAWN________)
PURPOSE: APPROVAL OF VARIANCE FOR CLOSURE OF MAIN STREET AT
TH
15 AVENUE / PTS CONTRACTORS INC. FOR LOCAL
CONCRETE PAVING PROJECT / AUGUST 2012
INITIATED BY: DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC WORKS
WHEREAS, PTS Contractors, Inc. is performing work replacing sanitary sewer,
th
storm sewer, and water main facilities on West 15 Avenue at its intersection with South
Main Street/State Highway 45; and
WHEREAS, PTS Contractors, Inc. requests a variance to Section 25-23 of the
Municipal Code which requires State, County, and certain other roads to maintain a
passageway open to traffic during a course of excavation work; and
th
WHEREAS, the intersection of South Main Street/State Highway 45 and West 15
Avenue is required to retain a passageway open to traffic during construction; and
WHEREAS, maintaining an open passageway for traffic while installing utilities at
th
the intersection of South Main Street/State Highway 45 and West 15 Avenue would be
unsafe and impractical for both PTS Contractors, Inc. and the general public; and
WHEREAS, the Wisconsin Department of Transportation has approved the
th
proposed detour of South Main Street/Highway 45 at its intersection with West 15
Avenue.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Common Council of the City of
Oshkosh that a variance from Section 25-23 of the Oshkosh Municipal Code is granted
allowing the closure of the intersection of South Main Street/State Highway 45 and West
th
15 Street for a period not to exceed 14 consecutive calendar days at a time after July 29,
2012 to be determined by construction schedules during for the Southside Concrete
Paving and Utility Project.
(..11---07)
OfHKOJH Q
ON THE WATER MEMORANDUM
TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the Common Council
FROM: Steven M. Gohde, Assistant Director of Public Works
DATE: July 5, 2012
RE: Closure of the Intersection of West 15th Avenue and South Main Street (Highway 45)
Required because of the Southside Concrete Paving and Utility Project
BACKGROUND
During installation of the sanitary sewer, storm sewer, and water main on West 15th Avenue, the original
contract specifications required that for the six weeks of construction, traffic must be maintained in both
the north and south directions. Due to the locations and depths of the utilities, the contractor believes
maintaining traffic while installing those utilities would be unsafe and impractical for both them and the
general public. In order to maintain traffic, a flag man would need to be utilized and only one lane of
traffic would be able to remain open. As an alternative, the contractor has requested the ability to close
the intersection of West 15th Avenue and South Main Street for 14 calendar days. The contractor has
discussed this option with the surrounding property owners.
The proposed detour route is 9th Avenue to Oregon Street to 24th Avenue. The detour route is a truck
route. The Wisconsin Department of Transportation has approved the proposed detour of Highway 45.
ANALYSIS
In order to maintain through traffic at the intersection of West 15th Avenue and South Main Street, a single
temporary traffic lane would be needed. Flaggers would regularly need to stop traffic to allow the alternate
side of the road to proceed and to allow construction equipment to maneuver. Additionally, vehicles
would be passing very close to the construction workers and equipment, increasing the chances of an
accident. The contractor is concerned about this situation from a safety standpoint.
Closing the intersection for 14 days will expedite the construction through the intersection and allow traffic
to return to a more normal flow faster and is also preferred by most of the businesses that would be
affected by the intersection closure.
FISCAL IMPACT
No additional costs to the City are proposed due to the road closure. The contractor shall be responsible
for all additional costs of traffic control.
RECOMMENDATION
I recommend approval of the proposed closure of the intersection of West 15th Avenue and South Main
Street.
Approved:
......-/ ;;kielet— .4.iran,A. Rohloff / -
City Manager
SMG/tIt
1:1Engineering112-04 Conc Paving&Utili-South 1 Project_Information\CorrespondencelMemo112-04 W 15th&Main St Intersection Closure CC memo_7-5-12.docx
PTS CONTRACTORS INC.
4075 EATON ROAD
GREEN BAY, WI 54311-9340
OFFICE (920)468-5217 FAX (920) 468-4087
June 21, 2012
City of Oshkosh
ATTN: Steve Ghode
215 Church Avenue
Oshkosh, WI 54903
RE: West 15th Avenue and Main Street Intersection Closure
Dear Steve:
PTS Contractors is requesting a complete intersection closure for the intersection of West 15th
Avenue and South Main Street. The intersection will be closed for 14 calendar days and will start
after the EAA Convention. The exact date will be dictated by the construction schedule of West
15th Avenue.
The request is being made so PTS Contractors can install sanitary sewer, storm sewer, and
water main. The locations and depths of the utilities make maintaining traffic and installing
utilities unsafe and impractical for both the general public and us.
The construction window for this intersection per the contract specifications was six weeks,
maintaining traffic in both the north and south directions. The only way this work could be
completed would be to utilize a flag man and have only one lane of traffic open. We believe that
this would create major traffic back-ups in both directions and unsafe condition.
We are proposing to work 12 hour days, six days a week to complete this work and get the
intersection open to north-south traffic in 14 calendar days. Upon completion of the 14 calendar
days, the two center lanes of South Main Street would be open on new concrete pavement.
PTS Contractors will sign and post an approved detour by the Wisconsin Department of
Transportation and City of Oshkosh Engineering Department at our own cost. The detour route
will stay on the approved truck route and will be signed per MUTCD standards.
We have talked to the businesses that will be affected by the intersection closure, and most of
them would rather see the 14 calendar day closure than the six week construction window. If
necessary Bob from Blended Wax said that he would be willing to discuss this option with the
City.
By coordinating the intersection closure of W. 15th Avenue and Nebraska Street with this
intersection closure, it will allow the construction of W. 15th Avenue to continue in a timely manner
and allow our crews to finish the project without delays per the contract requirement.
Please contact me with any further comments or questions.
%all/ A•110 01" 40,‘./to,...
Mark Schleis
PTS Contractors, Project Manager