Intersection needs bigger conduit for new wiring

FACILITIES COMMITTEE

by Ruth Osborn

Communications Director

The GRF Facilities Committee is recommending that the GRF Board of Directors approve an emergency change order in the amount of $37,651 related to a project upgrading Leisure World’s only traffic-light controlled intersection.

The $347,000 project includes replacing the traffic signal, which will be upgraded to include new pedestrian signals and dedicated left turn lanes over the channel to enhance safety at that intersection.

The change order cost is needed to replace underground conduits with larger 3-inch diameter pipes to handle the new cabling needed for the project.

Project funding includes a 10% contingency, but this latest change order cost would exceed that amount, so the board needs to approve the unplanned expense, which it will consider at an April meeting.

Construction work is ongoing but has been delayed due to recent rain. The project has been five years in the making. In 2016, the board hired a traffic engineer to study traffic patterns at the light.

The 60- to 90-second cycle will include an exclusive pedestrian phase, which stops all vehicular movement so pedestrians can cross in all crosswalks at the same time. That means that if a resident presses the walk button, all lights will turn red, stopping all traffic. The plan also includes a dedicated left-turn signal over the channel only.

The GRF Board approved the project, which is funded through reserves, in July 2024. Money held in the reserve fund is earmarked for specific projects, such as this one.

Crosstown Electrical and Data, Inc., a Southern California- based electrical contractor that specializes in traffic signals and construction, is the contractor. Work began Feb. 24.

Vehicle and pedestrian traffic will be impacted as the project progresses. Residents are encouraged to use alternate routes. Any anticipated closures will be announced via LW Live and in the LW Weekly.

In other business:

• the delivery of 10 Service Maintenance replacement vehicles is complete. Seven of the carts have been assigned; three have issues, and payment is withheld pending resolution.

• all Trust street signs will soon be replaced; cost, $26,991. Signs are on order and should be fully installed by the end of May.

• SCE has approved plans for the electric vehicle charging project and sent them to its planner, with implementation expected “soon.”

• a safety handrail will be added to the Aquatic Center, which will be closed from Tuesday, April 22, through Thursday, April 24, because water must be lowered to install the rail. The pool will reopen at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, April 25.

• a walkway will be replaced at Turtle Lake Golf Course at 2 p.m. on Thursday, April 17, through noon on Friday, April 18, for the construction.

• contracts are in process for a $490,063 Amphitheater renovation project involving paint and bathroom upgrades among other improvements.