TO: Honorable Mayor and Members of the City Council
THRU: Jarad Hildenbrand, City Manager
FROM: Christopher Cash, Public Works Director
1. Subject
title
Award of Contract to Calpromax Engineering, Inc. for Traffic Signal Installation and Fiber Optic Communication for Walnut Avenue and Orange Street
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2. Summary
Bids for Traffic Signal Installation and Fiber Optic Communication for Walnut Avenue and Orange Street were received and opened on October 15, 2026, Bid No. 26-27.09. Six bidders responded to the notice inviting bids. The apparent low bidder is Calpromax Engineering, Inc. of Placentia, California in the amount of $587,975.
3. Recommended Action
recommendation
Approve the contract with Calpromax Engineering, Inc. in the amount of $646,772, representing an original bid amount of $587,975 plus a 10% contingency of $58,797, for Traffic Signal Installation and Fiber Optic Communication for Walnut Avenue and Orange Street; and authorize the Mayor and City Clerk to execute on behalf of the City.
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4. Fiscal Impact
The expense for this contract is $646,772 and will be funded through Reimbursable Capital Projects (550):
550-5703-87101-255075 Walnut Avenue and Orange Street Traffic Signal Installation
Under the Traffic Signal Payment Agreement approved November 12, 2024, Chapman University will reimburse the City for actual eligible project costs, including construction and authorized change orders. Following completion and acceptance, the City will be responsible for ongoing operation, maintenance, repair, and replacement costs.
5. Strategic Plan Goals
Goal 5: Improve Infrastructure, Mobility, and Technology
6. Discussion and Background
In Fall 2023, Chapman University (Chapman) proposed a new traffic signal at the Walnut Avenue and Orange Street intersection along with a proposal to fund its design and construction. To determine the appropriateness of a traffic signal at this location and ensure it would be operationally compatible with the existing traffic signal at the nearby Walnut Avenue and Glassell Street intersection, a focused traffic study was conducted in 2024. This study indicated that the proposed traffic signal can operate effectively in conjunction with the adjacent traffic signal and is expected to improve overall traffic flow and safety.
City Council approved a Traffic Signal Payment Agreement with Chapman on November 12, 2024. Among other terms, the Agreement specifies that City will arrange for the design and construction of the traffic signal (and associated improvements), while Chapman would provide project funding. The agreement also covered future improvements to the nearby intersection of Walnut Avenue and Glassell Street, that would enable the two intersections to work in tandem as the ambient traffic volumes increase in the future. Future operations, including maintenance and repairs, would become the City’s responsibility.
The City Council previously approved advertisement of bids for this project on July 14, 2026. Bid solicitation was advertised on August 13, 2026, for a period of three weeks. Bids were opened on September 3, 2026. Staff recommended re-bidding the project due to a scope change to include additional features deemed necessary for the implementation of the project. City Council approved the scope change and re-bid on September 22, 2026.
The second bid solicitation was advertised on October 1, 2026, for a period of two weeks. Bids were opened on October 15, 2026, and six bids were received as follows:
1. Calpromax Engineering, Inc. $587,975.00
2. Select Electric, Inc. $606,556.00
3. Alfaro Communications Construction, Inc. $616,038.18
4. Ferreira Construction, Inc. $638,838.00
5. DBX, Inc. $647,999.00
6. Elecnor Belco Electric, Inc. $653,360.00
Staff checked the references and qualifications for Calpromax Engineering, Inc. and found them to be acceptable, with adequate years of experience in completing contracts of similar nature to this project. Therefore, staff recommend that Calpromax Engineering, Inc. be awarded the contract in the total amount of $646,772, representing an original amount of $587,975, plus a 10% contingency of $58,797, for Traffic Signal Installation and Fiber Optic Communication for Walnut Avenue and Orange Street.
Construction is expected to start in June 2027 due to long lead times for pole procurement and the need to minimize disruptions to vehicle and pedestrian traffic during the academic year. Because the intersection is in the Old Towne area, the project will incorporate typical Old Towne design features, including decorative traffic signal poles and special concrete treatments. The project is expected to be completed within 60 calendar days after notice-to-proceed is issued.
7. ATTACHMENTS
1. Attachment 1 - Location Map
2. Attachment 2 - Traffic Signal Payment Agreement with Chapman University
3. Attachment 3 - Bid Abstract
4. Attachment 4 - Contract with Calpromax Engineering, Inc.