Agenda Date: 03/03/2026
Subject:
Title
Resolution 15-2026: Approving the third amendment to the Professional Services Agreement between the City of Littleton and David Evans and Associates, Inc. for design services on the County Line Road Shared Use Path Connections Project
Body
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From: |
James L. Becklenberg, City Manager |
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Prepared by: |
Brent Soderlin, Director of Public Works & Utilities |
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Brent Thompson, Executive Projects Engineer |
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Shane Roberts, Senior Transportation Planner |
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Presentations: |
N/A |
PURPOSE:
To seek council approval of an amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with David Evans and Associates, Inc. for design services on the County Line Road Shared Use Path Connections Project.
LONG-TERM OUTCOME(S) SERVED:
Safe Community; High-Quality Governance
DISCUSSION:
The County Line Road Shared Use Path Connections Project will construct a shared use path along the south side of County Line Road, connecting the Broadway/County Line Road intersection to the High Line Canal Trail. The project will also include pedestrian and bicyclist safety and accessibility improvements through the Southpark Lane intersection, enhancing connections to the shared use path, the High Line Canal Trail, the C-470 Trail, and the newly opened South Suburban Parks and Recreation pickleball complex at County Line Road and Broadway.
City staff solicited the services of David Evans and Associates (DEA) for design of this multimodal project in 2023. A contract was executed for the first phase of the project, conceptual design, in May 2023. The initial contract was intentionally phased to ensure that the final design scope and fee accurately reflected the anticipated design workload, which would be determined by the preliminary design. Projects of this nature, particularly those involving federal funds, often take 18-24 months to design. Phasing the design of this project is fiscally responsible, as it avoids encumbering funds that would not otherwise be used until a subsequent fiscal year, thereby freeing those funds for current-year projects. The final design amendment was approved by Council in April 2024.
The preliminary design (30%) for this project was completed in April of 2024, and final design (90%) was completed in April of 2025. Originally the project was intended to go to construction in early 2026 but in the process of preparing the design to be construction ready (100%), some unanticipated impacts and associated design modifications were identified by the project team. These scope changes will mitigate and eliminate tree impacts in several areas of the project, replacement of a failing storm water feature, and accounting for environmental clearances needed for a recently discovered unmarked utility. This amendment is needed to cover the additional design work, as well as some additional budget to advance this project through the CDOT review process and design support during construction. DEA refined the design scope and fee for the final design, and a contract amendment is necessary to proceed with these services. If Council approves this resolution, staff will continue design preparation and work toward constructing the project. Final design is now anticipated to be complete in May of 2026, and construction of the project is anticipated to begin in late 2026.
BACKGROUND:
Littleton is fortunate to have many regional trails running through the city; however, some areas lack good connections to those facilities. This project will improve connectivity at the southern end of the city by filling some existing gaps along County Line Road, between Broadway and Southpark Lane, and improving access between the High Line Canal Trail, the C-470 Regional Trail, and an existing trailhead parking lot.
The C-470 Regional Trail is an incredible amenity over 30 miles long, which provides connections from Golden to Parker, including access to such destinations as Lookout Mountain, North Dinosaur Park, Chatfield State Park, and Cherry Creek State Park, and connections to many other regional trails, including Bear Creek Trail, Mary Carter Greenway, and Cheery Creek Trail. This project places focus and provides an important connection in Littleton from one recreational facility to another.
There is currently no clear bike connection between where the bike lane ends at the Southpark Lane and County Line Road intersection to the High Line Canal Trailhead southwest of that intersection. This trailhead provides access to the High Line Canal Trail and the C-470 Trail. Additionally, enhanced multimodal improvements are planned for Southpark Lane (protected intersection) and Broadway (shared use path), but there is a need for a defined and safe facility along County Line Road between the two roadways and to provide a connection to the High Line Canal Trailhead for multimodal users. The proposed expanded multimodal facility along County Line Road will also support multimodal access to planned recreational facilities (pickleball courts) on adjacent properties owned by the South Suburban Parks and Recreation District. The existing intersection of the High Line Canal Trail and the C-470 Trail needs safety improvements. Trail conditions have deteriorated, users must navigate challenging horizontal and vertical trail geometrics, and speed differentials exist for bicyclists traveling in varying directions. This project will improve these areas of the High Line Canal Trail by regrading areas of deterioration and laying down new crusher fines to improve users’ experience.
The County Line Road Shared Use Path Project is funded through DRCOG’s Transportation Improvement Program (TIP) which is a program to fund regionally significant projects, especially those aimed at improving multimodal facilities and operations. The TIP grant provides $3,300,000 in construction funding, with 80% federal and state funding ($2,700,000) and 20% local agency match ($630,000).
Prior Actions or Discussions
An IGA with CDOT for design and construction of the County Line Road Shared Use Path Connections Project was approved by city council as Resolution 88-2023 on August 15, 2023.
The first amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with David Evans and Associates, Inc. was approved by City Council as Resolution 44-2024 on April 2, 2024.
The second amendment to the Professional Services Agreement with David Evans and Associates, Inc. was approved by City Council as Resolution 127-2024 on December 17, 2024.
FISCAL IMPACTS:
The original contract with David Evans and Associates was split into phases. The first phase for preliminary design was $361,219.00. The fee for the first Amendment to the Professional Services Agreement for final design services was $246,700.00. The fee for the second amendment for additional conceptual and final design at Elati Street, additional survey, and additional right of way plans and legal descriptions was $108,185.00. This final amendment for design changes and additions is $204,023.00. In aggregate, the total contract value will be $920,127.00. This contract amendment will be funded by Multimodal Impact Fees. Pursuant to the City’s Procurement Policy, all contracts exceeding $500,000 must be approved by City Council.
STAFF RECOMMENDATION:
Staff recommends approval of the Professional Services Agreement Amendment.
ALTERNATIVES:
If this amendment is not approved, design on the County Line Road Shared Use Path Connections Project will not proceed. Given these additional design changes, CDOT has extended the advertisement deadline for this project to June of 2026. Any further delay of design could place project grant funding at risk.
PROPOSED MOTION:
Proposed Motion
I move to approve Resolution 15-2026 approving the third amendment to the Professional Services Agreement between the City of Littleton and David Evans and Associates, Inc. for design services on the County Line Road Shared Use Path Connections Project.