CITY COUNCIL AGENDA ITEM
ACTION REQUESTED:
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Approve the award of Change Order #9 to Contract 16-135, North Aurora Road Underpass Design, to TranSystems Corporation, for an amount not to exceed $16,811 and a total award of $2,679,987.35
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DEPARTMENT: Transportation, Engineering and Development
SUBMITTED BY: Jennifer Louden, Director
BOARD/COMMISSION REVIEW:
N/A
BACKGROUND:
The North Aurora Road Underpass at the Wisconsin Central/CN Railroad Improvement Project (CIP# BR005) is a joint effort between the Naperville Township and the cities of Naperville and Aurora. The scope of the project includes constructing a new bridge structure that will accommodate two through traffic lanes in each direction, left turn lanes into adjacent properties, sidewalk and bicycle facilities, additional street lighting and correction of existing flooding issues.
In December 2016, the City Council awarded Contract 16-135 to perform design engineering services for the improvements to the North Aurora Road Underpass at the CN/Wisconsin Central Railroad to TranSystems Corporation. The consultant has worked with staff to complete the improvement plans, coordinate with various utilities, secure permits and provide land acquisition services for properties adjacent to the project.
Construction of the project began in October 2025 at an estimated cost of $52 million. The Illinois Commerce Commission has contributed $15 million from the Crossing Safety Improvement Program and the Chicago Metropolitan Agency for Planning’s Shared Fund Program has contributed $20.1 million of federal funding. The balance of the construction costs will be split among the three local agencies.
Previous Change Orders
Change Order #1 - $57,372
Approved by the City Council in September 2019 to provide technical support for coordination with the Illinois Commerce Commission and railroad agreement support as well as additional land acquisition support and topographic survey for new easements.
Change Order #2
Approved by the City Manager in January 2021 to modify the project scope with no adjustment in the existing contract value.
Change Order #3 - $183,150
Approved by the City Council in June 2021 to acquire additional construction easements, design retaining wall modifications required for the BNSF tracks, redesign roadway profile to accommodate Enbridge petroleum gas pipeline relocation and resubmittal of the design documents with latest revisions to Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT) for an additional review.
Change Order #4 - $60,311
Approved by the City Council in February 2022 to provide additional design engineering for a temporary soil retention system for the construction of the railroad bridge and additional coordination, assistance and meetings with various stakeholders of the project.
Change Order #5 - $144,724
Approved by the City Council in July 2022 to provide a full Phase 1 Engineering Re-evaluation, additional coordination, assistance, meetings with various stakeholders of the project and additional survey and right-of-way services related to land acquisition of the Canadian National and BNSF parcels.
Change Order #6 - $3,533
Approved by the City Council in December 2022 to perform multiple items required to complete the project which are outside of the original scope of work:
1. Additional project coordination with BNSF and land surveyors to finalize easement acquisition documentation.
2. Additional survey, legal description development, and right-of-way services related to land acquisition of the BNSF parcel.
Change Order #7 - $113,320
Approved by the City Council in December 2022 to the design engineering contract for North Aurora Road Underpass to perform multiple items required to complete the project which are outside of the original scope of work:
1. Additional project coordination with both Canadian National and BNSF railroad companies, the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC), Enbridge gas utility company and ComEd electric utility company among various other utilities requiring installation/relocation within the project corridor.
2. Additional project management due to extended project timeline.
3. Additional engineering design of a new right-in/right-out entrance off the roadway, a temporary soil retention system for the Canadian National Railway, environmental reviews to update special waste documentation and an additional pre-final submittal of engineering design plans to the Illinois Department of Transportation for their review and approval.
Change Order #8 - $134,240
Approved by the City Council in May 2024 to perform the following out of scope items which mainly resulted from negotiations to develop agreements with Wisconsin Central/CN Railroad, BNSF Railroad, ComEd and other utility companies:
1. Additional project coordination with both Canadian National and BNSF railroad companies, ComEd Transmission Company and the Illinois Commerce Commission (ICC).
2. Additional design services required for engineering plan submittals to IDOT and both railroad companies.
3. Additional design services to revise retaining wall designs and drainage due to ComEd Transmission concerns.
4. Additional project management due to extended project timeline.
DISCUSSION:
Change Order #9 is requested to complete required soil sampling and laboratory analysis necessary for proper soil disposal. The receiving clean construction or demolition debris (CCDD) facility requires submission of an updated analytical report and documentation prior to accepting any soil. Although this analysis was previously completed in 2021, project delays caused the original documentation to become outdated and no longer valid for soil disposal purposes.
The cost associated with the additional soil sampling, laboratory testing, and preparation of the required documentation is $16,811.
Contract Award
|
Original Contract Value |
$1,966,526.35 |
|
Prior Cumulative Approved Change Orders |
$696,650 |
|
Subtotal |
$2,663,176.35 |
|
(+/-) This Change Order |
$16,811.00 |
|
Total Contract Value |
$2,679,987.35 |
FISCAL IMPACT:
CIP #: BR005
Design and engineering work for the North Aurora Road Underpass project are expensed to the Architect and Engineer Services account number listed below. A total of $68,000 was included in the budget for engineering services related to the North Aurora Road Underpass in 2026. It is anticipated the requested change order can be accommodated within the budget.
|
Account Number |
Fund Description |
Total Budget Amount |
|
30282200-531301 |
Capital Projects Fund |
$3,028,000 |