DATE: December 9, 2025
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Award Contract 25-06-C Mt. Whitney Avenue Road Reconstruction and Shoulder Improvements
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Adopt plans and specifications for Contract 25-06-C Mt. Whitney Avenue Road Reconstruction and Shoulder Improvements, Federal Project No. CPFL-5942(314) and award to the lowest bidder Yarbs Grading and Paving, Inc., 11339 S. Peach Avenue, Fresno CA 93725, for the base bid and the Additive Bid in the total amount of $5,062,274.60; and
2. Authorize the Director to execute contract change orders for Contract 25-06-C Mt. Whitney Avenue Road Reconstruction and Shoulder Improvements, not to exceed $210,000 for any one change order pursuant to Public Contract Code 20142, and not to exceed a total change order limit of $506,227 or approximately 10% of the total compensation payable under Contract 25-06-C.
REPORT
Approval of the first recommended action will authorize the adoption of the project’s plans and specifications and award a Federally funded Fiscal Year 2022 Congressionally Directed Spending (CDS) Appropriation and Surface Transportation Block Grant (STBG) road reconstruction, shoulder improvement and pedestrian safety project. Approval of the second recommended action will authorize the Director to execute contract change orders not to exceed $210,000 for any one change order, and not to exceed a total change order limit of $506,227 or 10% of the total payable compensation under the recommended contract. This item pertains to a location in District 4.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
If the first recommended action is not approved, the project will be delayed or will not be constructed. If the second recommended action is not approved, some portions of construction could be delayed due to the time required to return to the Board for approval of individual change orders.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with the recommended actions. The maximum anticipated contract construction cost for the project, based on the low bid and a 10% allowance for change orders, is $5,568,502. This project is Federally funded through the CDS and STBG programs. The local match, estimated to be $638,707, will be paid out of the County’s Measure ‘C’ Flexible Funds Allocation. Sufficient appropriations and estimated revenues are included in the Department of Public Works and Planning - Roads Org 4510 FY 2025-26 Adopted Budget.
DISCUSSION:
Mt. Whitney Avenue is a major two-lane road that runs through the town of Riverdale, exhibiting numerous cracking and unpaved shoulders. The road experiences flooding as the storm drainage system is inadequate. This project will improve road safety and air quality through paving the shoulders, improving curb and gutter drainage and reconstructing the roadbed. Pedestrian safety will be improved by upgrading the Flashing Beacon in front of Riverdale High School to a Pedestrian Hybrid Beacon (PHB). In 2021, the Department applied for and was awarded grant funding through the STBG program administered by FCOG as well as CDS funding through a nomination from Congressman David Valadao. The project received extensive public support as demonstrated through letters of support and well-attended public meetings. The project was envisioned as a complete street project including reconstructing sidewalks, adding bike lanes and improving pedestrian safety. However, due to the extensive amount of environmental review and pedestrian easements acquired to reconstruct the sidewalks, the project was split into two phases so that the road could be reconstructed first. The sidewalk and ADA improvements phase of the project is expected to proceed to construction in FY 2028-29.
The work to be done consists, in general, of reconstruction and improvements to approximately 1.6 miles of roadway from Marks Avenue to Blythe Avenue on Mt. Whitney Avenue in the unincorporated community of Riverdale. The road, including the travel lanes, the eight-foot paved shoulder, and the parking area will be reconstructed using a Full-Depth Reclamation cement treated method. The project also includes signage and striping including adding bike lanes, excavation and expansion of a retention basin, storm drain improvements and adjusting sewer manholes and water valve boxes. The Additive Bid, at a cost of $229,441.39 is for the installation of the PHB. On November 18, 2025, your Board approved the retroactive submittal of a grant application to FCOG to fund this portion of the project. Although the PHB was not selected for funding, there are sufficient STBG grant funds available to cover the cost.
The project was advertised on October 6, 2025, and a bid opening was held on November 6, 2025. Ten bids were received. The low bid of $5,062,274.60, from Yarbs Paving and Grading, was $1,598,622.55 or 32.0% lower than the engineer’s estimate of $6,660,897.15. A list of bidders is shown below.
Bidder Bid Amount
Yarbs Grading and Paving, Inc. $5,062,274.60
Avison Construction, Inc. $5,400,053.10
Granite Construction Company $5,497,343.99
Cal Valley Construction, Inc. $5,564,018.09
Agee Construction Corporation $5,574,999.00
Archer Civil Construction LLC $5,586,646.14
MAC General Engineering $5,629,361.29
Terra West Construction Incorporated $5,723,239.00
American Paving Co. $6,116,039.69
Katch General Environmental, Inc. dba Katch General $6,371,066.42
Plans were prepared by Dewberry and Specifications were prepared by Dewberry and Department Staff and are on file with the Department. Department staff has determined that the Mt. Whitney Avenue Road Reconstruction and Shoulder Improvements is categorically exempt from the provisions of CEQA under Section 15301(c) - Existing Facilities. The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) acting as the Federal lead agency determined the project would not have a significant effect on the environment as defined by NEPA, per 23 CFR 771.117(c)(26). It is anticipated that construction will commence in January 2026 and will be completed in Spring 2026.
OTHER REVIEWING AGENCIES:
Caltrans provides oversight on Federally funded projects.
REFERENCE MATERIAL:
BAI #51, November 18, 2025
ATTACHMENTS INCLUDED AND/OR ON FILE:
Location Map
Bid Summary
CAO ANALYST:
Maria Valencia