Major renovation coming to Telegraph-Lakewood intersection
DOWNEY − The Downey City Council on Tuesday awarded a $2.9 million contract to a Long Beach-based paving company, which will oversee an expansion of the intersection at Lakewood Boulevard and Telegraph Road in June. Excel Paving Company, which has completed similar projects in Glendale and Chino, will reconstruct the intersection, widening it to include double left-turn lanes in all four directions and exclusive right-turn lanes on the east and northbound corners.
The project is a joint venture between the cities of Downey and Pico Rivera, which estimate a 16 percent increase in traffic volume at the intersection over the next 20 years.
In addition to widening the streets through land acquisition, the cities will add decorative concrete crosswalks and street lights, upgrade the existing traffic signal, and replace old fire hydrants and water lines.
According to the city staff report, Downey will cover the entire project costs initially, using water infrastructure funds and Measure R grant money that is earmarked for easing congested city hot spots. Pico Rivera will pay back its share of the project costs – nearly 45 percent – after construction is complete in December.
Other items unanimously approved by the Downey City Council on Tuesday included:
The city of Downey hired landscape design firm MIG to oversee phase one of the city civic center remodel. For the price tag of $29,905, MIG will develop a concept site plan of improvements, specifications, and cost estimates.
City officials said the approved contract will only last through phase one of the civic center project, which will create a community gathering area and pedestrian corridor between City Hall and the Downey City Library.
MIG, which provided landscape design services to the city during Firestone Boulevard street repairs, will receive compensation through a state grant. The project design will be completed by October and phase one construction is scheduled to begin this December.
- The Downey Police Department has renewed its contract with the Rio Hondo Community College District for use of its weapons fire range.
City council members authorized a two-year continuance of the agreement, which goes into effect July 1 and ends June 30, 2017.
Annual fees at the range have increased from $8,820 to $15,700, but city staff ensure the contract fees remain comparably lower than other ranges in the area used by law enforcement agencies.
- The city finalized a leasing agreement with Bank of the West on Tuesday for a new city telephone system provided by Blue Violet Networks.
Based on the agreement, the city will finance the telephone system at a cost of $118,000 this year and $115,000 each year after over the next four years. At the end of the five-year term, the city can buy the system for $1.
City staff said replacing the telephone system will save the city money and cover the yearly debt costs.
- Downey will increase the speed limit on two major thoroughfares this year following a speed enforcement study that suggested the current speeds were insufficient.
Instead of 35 mph, drivers may now travel 40 mph on Firestone Boulevard between Old River School Road and the west city limit. Likewise, the speed limit will increase from 40 to 45 mph on Telegraph Road – the eastbound side only – between Lakewood Boulevard and the east edge of the city.
Kimley-Horn and Associates conducted a study in March to determine the proper speed enforcement on Firestone and Telegraph. The Downey Police Department agreed with the proposed changes.
Six new speed signs will be installed at a cost of $900.
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Published: May 14, 2015 - Volume 14 - Issue 05