RFP-Feasibility Study-various shared use projects-WF-6.2.21Share Use Paths Feasibility Study
Request for Engineering Proposals (6/2/2021)
The City of Northampton is requesting quotes for engineering design servicesto for feasibility studies for various shared use path (bicycle path) extensions in Northampton.
Proposals are due on Tuesday June 22nd at 6:00 PM toWFeiden@NorthamptonMA.gov
For questions or a site visit tour, contact Wayne Feiden at the above email address.
Background
Northampton has a robust shared use path (a/k/a bicycle path) network with approximately 12 miles of paved paths, mostly interconnecting, including the MassCentral that will eventually
connect to Boston and the New Haven and Northampton Canal Greenway that will eventually connect to New Haven. In addition, one mile of trail is currently at the draft 100% plan stage
and programmed in the TIP for 2025 constuction (Rocky Hill Greenway- south). (www.northamptonma.gov/1346/Shared-Use-Paths).
We are soliciting proposals for feasibility studies (approximately 10% design) for six major network expansions. We have not established the priorities for these six projects since we
watch for opportunities based on willing sellers, appropriate approvals, engineering issues, costs, and funding. The feasibility studies will help us understand opportunities, challenges,
and estimates cost. We do not want to overlap with later work we will be doing in the design phase, so we are looking for enough work to help us advance the projects and think about
next steps.
The selected firm will have no advantages or disadvantages for future 100% design contracts.
We do not expect new survey or topo (in some cases this is available and we have quality LiDAR for all the sites) for this level of work. Consider how this constraint can be addressed.
In some cases, this probably just means providing us with enough information to think about the next steps.
Proposals should:
Include your approach to the project and anything that strengthens your proposal.
Provide separate pricing for each of the projects since we may only move on some of the projects.
Experiences/qualifications on past feasibility work. We do not need generic qualifications because we have already seen those and are only sending this RFP firms whose work we know,
respect, and have worked with in the past.
Our six projects are (see attached locus plans), in no particular order
MassCentral to Hotel Bridge in Leeds. All of the land is already City owned, except for a very thin stretch along the existing MassCentral Trail (the City only holds an easement on
the National Grid railroad right of way. Previously a Smith College engineering studio looked at this project and their work will probably inform this project. This was a low project,
but DPW is going to rehabiliate the currently closed Hotel Bridge for bicycle and pedestrian traffic, at which point this link becomes more desirable.
Connecticut River Greenway. The City owns a portion of the land, some is privately owned, and the vast majority is owned by MassDOT as part of their ownership of the railroad. MassDOT
has expressed some willingness for a rail with trail, but there is one very significant pinch point where the trail either would be very close to the train tracks or an extremely large
and difficult to construct bridge would be required. A past state grant paid for detailed topography and a quick possible route assessment.
Rocky Hill Greenway Extension north. Most of this is local roads (which are fine for us) with a short section of private property or DPW drinking water well property, but DPW believes
that MassDEP would not allow a trail on their property. The primary private property owner does not want to sell. This is almost certainly our lowest priority until these issues change.
Rocky Hill Greenway Gap. There is a gap between the completed Ice Pond to Florence Road path section and the completed Burts Pit Road to Stone Ridge Drive path section. The City holds
an easement through the Emerson Way subdivision, but that leaves a gap from Florence Road to Emerson Way and Emerson Way to our current path. This project will help us identify the best
route.
State Hospital Path. This path currently extends from the New Haven and Northampton Greenway to the northerly end of Village Hill. The City owns a portion of the route (Mill River Greenway),
one privately owned parcel where a bridge across the river will be located, with the majority on state land, which will take special legislation for approval. This study will help inform
the state’s approval process.
New Haven and Northampton Canal Greenway/Hebert Ave ramp. This route would cross an Eversource gas pumping station and City flood control levees. Any design would need to satisfy the
Army Corps of Engineers and Eversource standards. Previously a Smith College engineering studio looked at this project and their work will probably inform this project.
Files in support of this project (Smith College engineering studios, surveys, etc) are at:
http://archive.northamptonma.gov/WebLink/Browse.aspx?id=714595&dbid=0&repo=CityOfNorthampton