Powell Constructors Secured $27.9M to Kick Off Vista Canyon Bridge Project
In 2020, Vista Canyon has broken ground on a new Metrolink train station. This momentous occasion was marked by a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the adjacent parking structure at Vista Canyon. 4 years later, another exciting development is underway – the Vista Canyon bridge.
The design work on Vista Canyon’s future landmark entry bridge begins in early 2017. However, it wasn’t until 2024 June when the City of Santa Clarita found the ideal vendor to translate the paper design to an actual and physical bridge. Powell Constructors Inc. is the chosen one, on June 26th, 2024, the company was awarded almost $28M to bring this new “connectivity” to the landmark of the City.
Years of Delays Because of Significant Financial Difficulties
In February 2024, the city of Santa Clarita aimed to support a highly anticipated but struggling development on the east side of town by providing a $1.1 million loan to finalize the design of a bridge intended to enhance Vista Canyon’s connectivity.
According to the agenda item, city officials emphasized the need for their assistance to ensure the bridge is completed on time for the transit-friendly project, which has yet to meet the initially expected demand. The proposal suggests that the city should loan the money to itself from its general fund to cover the remaining design costs, which are 90% complete.
This step is necessary because the developer “is unable to pay for recent elements of the bridge design or complete the design without significant delays to the project,” as noted in the city’s agenda.
It’s also mentioned in the project’s approval that the bridge is essential for emergency access, adding urgency to the recommendation. According to the agenda, “On Oct. 25, 2018, the city of Santa Clarita (City) was allocated $20 million in Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority Measure R funds for construction of the Vista Canyon Road Bridge.
The allocation requires construction funds to be spent by June 30, 2026, and the Vista Canyon Road Bridge to be constructed by the city.” The city pointed to “significant financial difficulties” faced by the project’s developer, JSB Development, as the reason for their support. In August 2023, records obtained by The Signal revealed the developer had defaulted on a $24.2 million loan for the property.
The project has been experiencing delays for many years, now it has the money to be constructed. Many people, especially the local ones are exciting about how the bridge will look like. We haven’t got it yet, but according to some sources of information, we can paint a picture of the bridge in our minds.
How Does the Vista Canyon Bridge Look Like?
The Vista Canyon Bridge and Road Improvements project will construct a new bridge over the Santa Clara River, spanning approximately 780-feet and consist of one lane in each direction with a striped median, safety lighting, concrete barriers, metal railing, raised landscape planter, sidewalk with a Class 1 bike lane, and a new bike trail under the bridge.
The project will also provide roadway improvements such as curb, gutter, pavement, base, striping, traffic signal installation, street lights, landscape, storm drain and utility work to the north of the bridge at the intersection of Soledad Canyon Road and the future Vista Canyon Boulevard (currently Lost Canyon Road) and to the south of the bridge at the Vista Ranch Community connection.
After securing the funding to initiate the bridge design and construction project, the City needed to find a compatible vendor. To achieve this, the City issued a bid to identify the best contractor for the job. The Request for Proposal (RFP) outlined several key criteria, reflecting the City’s vision for the future.
Among these criteria, some of the most notable ones include the contractor’s ability to meet project timelines, adherence to environmental standards, and commitment to fair labor practices. By focusing on these aspects, the City aims to create a future where everyone is treated equally, and the community thrives in a sustainable, inclusive environment.
Healthy Working Place and Environmentally Friendly Operation
The City of Santa Clarita places a strong emphasis on both environmental sustainability and antidiscrimination practices in its vendor requirements. These priorities are outlined in their Construction and Demolition Material Management Ordinance and their nondiscrimination policies.
Comply with the City’s Construction and Demolition Material Management Ordinance, City of Santa Clarita requires that at least 65 percent of all construction and demolition materials and inert wastes from construction, demolition, grading projects be diverted from landfills.
In line with its commitment to equitable treatment and opportunity, the City of Santa Clarita enforces stringent nondiscrimination policies for all vendors. These policies prohibit discrimination in recruiting, hiring, promotion, demotion, or termination practices based on race, religious creed, color, national origin, ancestry, sex, age, or physical handicap.
Vendors must comply with the California Fair Employment & Housing Act, the Federal Civil Rights Act of 1964, Executive Order No. 11246, and all associated administrative rules and regulations.
Furthermore, the City supports the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), which mandates that employers hire only individuals legally authorized to work in the United States. Vendors are required to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all new hires using the Employment Eligibility Verification Form (I-9).
To ensure comprehensive compliance, vendors must also include nondiscrimination clauses in all subcontractor agreements, holding their subcontractors to the same high standards. Non-compliance with these requirements is deemed a material breach of contract, potentially resulting in contract termination or other remedies, reinforcing the City’s dedication to fair and equitable labor practices.
These are some of the outstanding points when it comes to evaluating vendors. However, it’s just part of the game since this is a big project. That’s why we have seen many big players in the construction industry joined the bid to get the award.
Well-Seasoned Got to the Final Round
The bid for this project is fiercely competitive, given the presence of seasoned players with extensive experience and numerous certifications. Companies like MCM Construction, Inc., Griffith Company, C. A. Rasmussen, Inc., Ames Construction Inc., and Security Paving Company bring significant expertise and a track record of high-quality work to the table. Each has been involved in major infrastructure projects and has earned various industry awards, making them formidable contenders.
MCM Construction, Inc., with a total bid of $28,532,581.00, showcased its extensive experience in heavy highway and bridge construction, underscored by notable past projects like the San Francisco/Oakland Bay Bridge Replacement and emergency response efforts following the Loma Prieta Earthquake.
Griffith Company, ranking third with a total bid of $29,015,069.55, brought over a century of experience to the bid, having played a pivotal role in Southern California’s infrastructure development from early street grading to modern advancements.
C. A. Rasmussen, Inc., following closely with a total bid of $29,027,457.70, highlighted its strong tradition of family-led operations and extensive work across California, including key projects in Valencia and Simi Valley.
Ames Construction Inc., with a total bid of $29,201,266.00, impressed with its ability to self-perform a substantial portion of work and a robust safety record developed over six decades.
Security Paving Company, the final bidder with a total of $29,801,143.20, demonstrated its long-standing presence in the industry, known for its innovation and high standards in street improvement projects.
Finally, Powell Constructors Inc. emerged as the successful bidder for the Vista Canyon Bridge and Road Improvements Project. With the most competitive total bid of $27,976,840.50, they edged out other seasoned contenders in a fiercely competitive field.
Now, we’ve already known who’s going to construct the bridge. Powell Constructors is not big on social media as the other finalists, but we still can find some projects that they has finished to understand why they got the contract.
Powell Constructors Inc As the Winner
Powell Constructors was founded by Doyle Powell in 1986 as D.W. Powell Construction. His vision, hard work and attention to detail laid the foundation for the Company they are today.
Now, Mike Powell is the President and CEO of the second-generation company. Mike grew up in the business and worked his way up through the ranks of his father’s construction company before founding Powell Constructors Inc. He is a graduate of the University of Southern California Civil Engineering Program.
Powell Constructors is a company that focuses on all aspects of civil engineering and construction. They pride themselves in providing an environment that has a “family-like” atmosphere while offering employees a challenging and rewarding working experience.
Their efforts are presently focused on constructing bridges, roads, freeways, walls and drainage facilities for both public and private entities. This can be seen by their diverse portfolio, including the US-395 near Tom’s Place, Eucalyptus Avenue Bridge, Los Robles Road Bridge Retrofit, Seaside Pedestrian Bridge in Long Beach, Bogart Trail Bridge, Alton Parkway Pedestrian Bridge, Avalon Boulevard, Irvine Pedestrian Bridge, Hathaway Creek Bridge, Circle Drive Bridge, and infrastructure projects like NBC Universal, Carson Weigh Station, and Vernon Pump Station.
Look at these projects, we can understand part of the reason why they have been chosen for the project. Powell Constructors is an expert in building bridges, that’s the main point of this project – the construction of Vista Canyon Bridge.
The bid has closed, and the project has to be under construction, we can’t find any information talking about the status of the project. However, we’ve got the scope of work that provides us with what the vendor needs to do when constructing the bridge.
How is Powell Constructors Inc Going to Serve
To construct the Vista Canyon Bridge, Powell Constructors Inc. must adhere to the project’s plans, specifications, and contract documents. The work involves providing all necessary materials, equipment, tools, labor, and incidentals. The main tasks include building a new bridge over the Santa Clara River and improving the surrounding roads.
Specific tasks include constructing travel lanes, safety lighting, concrete barriers, metal railing, raised landscape planters, sidewalks, and multi-use trails. Additional work involves installing fencing, curbs, gutters, pavement, base layers, road striping, traffic signals, street lights, and landscape improvements. Storm drain and utility work are also required.
Ensuring safe and adequate pedestrian access throughout the construction is essential. For more details, Powell Constructors Inc. should refer to the project plans and specifications, which are critical for the project’s successful and timely completion.
Powell Constructors Inc. is committed to completing the Vista Canyon Bridge project within three hundred and fifty (350) working days from the date specified in the Notice to Proceed. Let’s see how the bridge is going to turn out by 2026.
