Supervisors hire firm to design replacement on Lack Road
EL CENTRO — Imperial County is moving forward with plans to replace the aging Lack Road Bridge, which spans the New River northwest of Westmorland.
The 88-year-old bridge — which is about 106 feet long and 27 feet wide — was built in 1940 and consists of laminated timber decking supported by treated timber pilings, according to county documents.
During its regular meeting Tuesday, the Board of Supervisors voted 4 to 0 — Luis A. Plancarte, District 2 supervisor, was not in attendance — to hire NV5 Inc., of San Diego, to perform design engineering services for a new bridge.
Jack Abcarius, of NV5, will serve as project manager.
Abcarius has already served in that capacity on similar area projects, including the Dogwood Road Bridge Replacement project, Ross Road Bridge, Z-Drain Bridge, Clark Road Bridge and the Evan Hewes Highway Bridge Rehabilitation project at East Highline Canal.
“NV5 is eager to continue providing [Imperial] County with the highest caliber of bridge design services,” company officials said in a prepared statement to John A. Gay, Imperial County Public Works director.
NV5 will be paid up to $520,453 for the work from the county’s (SB1) Road Maintenance and Rehabilitation Program road maintenance and rehabilitation account as part of the fiscal year 2018-19 proposed budget. There will be no impact to the county general fund, Gay said.
NV5 was one of three San Diego consulting firms considered for this project after a request for proposals was issued by Imperial County on Jan. 18, according to county documents. The other two firms considered were Kimley-Horn and Kleinfelder.
County Public Works’ staff reviewed the proposals, qualifications and technical criteria for all three consultants, ultimately recommending NV5 for the job, Gay said.
As part of the consulting process, NV5 will prepare detailed construction plans and bid documents required for bidding and project implementation; prepare and submit all necessary permits; prepare legal descriptions for temporary construction easements; and provide services resulting from any significant changes in the general scope of the project if and when requested by Imperial County.
Information about when the project is slated for completion was not available Tuesday.
In other business for fiscal year 2018-19, the Board of Supervisors on Tuesday approved $500,000 for the Imperial Valley Regional Occupational Program’s Housing Support Program, authorized $1 million for a professional services agreement with Orbit Health Inc., and approved $97,000 for an audit agreement with Vavrinek Trine, Day & Co, LLP, to perform the county’s single audit for fiscal years 2018, 2019 and 2020.