More interchange work coming

The dust has yet to settle on construction of the 101 Freeway/ Kanan interchange, but the city of Agoura Hills has the wheels in motion for another ambitious public project: improvement of the interchange at Reyes Adobe Road.

At last week's city council meeting, city engineer Ken Berkman announced that Irvinebased STV Inc. has been selected to draft plans, specifications and estimates for the project.

Berkman said staff members invited six firms to submit bids in May for the design job, but only two responded with proposals.

The $690,000 project will include preparation of several stages of design documents that require Caltrans' approval. The firm will coordinate utility design, select the bridge type, devise traffic control plans and meet with city and Caltrans staff as necessary.

"STV clearly demonstrated a much better understanding of the project," Berkman said. The firm, he said, knew about the "trials and tribulations" of the Kanan interchange project.

The city budgeted $500,000 for the project, but soaring construction costs and concrete shortages over the past year pushed the cost skyward. Councilmember John Edelston questioned why "soft costs" like design services have also risen.

Berkman said the entire cost of the project will be paid for through the city's redevelopment agency fund and traffic impact fees. General fund money will not be touched. Berkman said the two propos

als submitted were close in price, but STV's estimate was lower and he believed the cost was "reasonable."

The design phase of the project is expected to be completed by May 2007.

Councilmember Dan Kuperberg complimented city staff members for their hard work.

"We have to keep working on the next thing," Kuperberg said. It's "a testimony to the city staff (who are) always moving forward."