The existing all-way stop control at Menifee Road and Diamond Road not only requires motorists to wait but also limits the ability of fire apparatus from Station 76 to enter Menifee Road immediately when a call requires the fire department’s response. A signal at the intersection will minimize delays by the fire department, and a 5-0 Menifee City Council vote on September 16 approved a construction contract for the signal.
The contract is with Alfaro Communications Construction, Inc., for the Compton company’s bid amount of $498,590.10. The signal will also allow the fire department to pre-empt the lights so that vehicles will be able to enter Menifee Road from the fire station immediately.
The City of Menifee contracts with the Riverside County Fire Department and the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection for fire and emergency medical services but owns the four stations within city limits. Station 76 is sometimes referred to as the Menifee Lakes station. It is in the 29900 block of Menifee Road.
In addition to the new signal the improvements to the three-way intersection will also upgrade pedestrian ramps to current Americans with Disabilities Act standards, install signage and striping, and provide asphalt concrete pavement improvements. The traffic signal and lighting poles, dual meter service cabinet, traffic controllers, and all necessary traffic signal accessories will be provided by the city, which issued a $127,874 purchase order for that equipment, while all other traffic signal accessory items will be provided by the contractor.
Although the bid process was electronic a hard copy of the bid was required within 24 hours of the August 3 submittal deadline. Twelve of the 16 bidders did not provide the required hard copy and their bids were deemed non-responsive. That included the two companies which had the actual lowest bids. Alfaro Communications Construction had the low responsive bid while Elecnor Belco Electric, Inc., of Chino was the next-lowest responsible bidder with a proposal requesting $525,873.00. The engineer’s estimate for the project was $515,000.00.
Construction management and inspection services will be provided by city staff while materials testing and monumentation will utilize a separate contractor. Including the equipment purchases the total estimated construction cost is $717,823.10.
The construction of the new signal is expected to be complete in November. Once the city accepts the completed work the signal will become operational, and that is expected to occur in December. The completion may be delayed due to weather or unforeseen conditions.
