DATE: October 22, 2024
TO: Board of Supervisors
SUBMITTED BY: Steven E. White, Director
Department of Public Works and Planning
SUBJECT: Adopt County Plans and Specifications for Public Works Transportation Projects
RECOMMENDED ACTION(S):
TITLE
1. Adopt Modified 2023 Caltrans Standard Plans and Specifications as County Standard Plans and Specifications for Public Works Transportation Projects.
2. Authorize the Director of Public Works and Planning to update the County Standard Plans and Specifications to best serve the County's needs.
REPORT
Approval of Recommended Action No. 1 allows the County to comply with new California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) regulations, which require the County to either use the most current Caltrans Standard Plans and Specifications (Caltrans Standards) or to adopt their own local standards for plans and specifications (County Standards). Approval of Recommended Action No. 2 authorizes the Director of Public Works and Planning to update the County Standards to best serve the County's needs.
ALTERNATIVE ACTION(S):
Should the Board not approve Recommended Action No. 1, the County will be required to use the most recent version of Caltrans Standards, which change annually, resulting in significant wasted efforts particularly on multi-year projects. Not approving Recommended Action No. 2 would limit the Department's ability to make updates to the County's Standards to best meet the needs of the County to adapt to future regulation, new innovations, or local needs in a timely fashion.
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no Net County Cost associated with this action. However, there will be unspecified salary savings and consultant costs associated with adopting County Standards and not having to update Plans and Specifications for multi-year projects every time Caltrans changes their standards.
DISCUSSION:
Caltrans sets design standards and practices to facilitate statewide consistency, efficiency, and quality in transport...
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