Letter of Interest - Coal Line Trail Phase I Proj No. 115-063 - VS Engineering Solutions

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The main purpose for this project is to provide pedestrian access and improve pedestrian safety. The Coal Line Trail project will provide a paved multi-use trail link between West Lincoln Way and Riverside Drive on the northwest side of downtown South Bend. This project will allow pedestrians to safely travel the 0.8-mile-long corridor through a mixture of residential and commercial areas while experiencing minimal vehicular traffic. The majority of the railroad corridor within the project limits is relatively clear, although some of the rails are still present. Upon our on- site field visit, we noticed the railroad bed ballast stone is still largely in place, which provides an ideal subbase for a recreational trail construction. The vehicular bridge on Portage Avenue over the railroad bed was recently reconstructed and provisions were included to allow the trail to be constructed under the roadway through a precast concrete tunnel. Along the railroad corridor, there are five at grade crossings with residential streets and a commercial property near Riverside Drive. The City of South Bend has taken great strides in developing the “walkability” of the City by improving sidewalks, curb ramps, adding multi- use trails, and upgrading crosswalks. These pedestrian friendly improvements are evident when visiting downtown South Bend, and observing the trails, sidewalks, curb ramps, and street lighting in locations along the Saint Joseph River. This particular section of the Coal Line Trail is the first phase of the project. The next phase will continue the trail to the east across Riverside Drive and across the Saint Joseph River along the existing, abandoned rail bridge over the river. Once completed, this trail will provide safe pedestrian connectivity to South Bend’s Muessel Grove Park, Brownfield Park, and Holy Cross School. Construction activities will include constructing the recreational trail, at grade crossings, as well as trail ancillary items such as rest nodes with benches, and possibly vehicular parking areas. This team has direct, recent experience with this same type of construction inspection project. Constructing the trail under live traffic conditions will require special attention to ensure the safety of the vehicular traffic. As this team did on the Dupont Road project and the Maplecrest Road phases in Fort Wayne, we are prepared to work with the City of South Bend’s Engineering staff to ensure any relocations or alterations of their facilities are carried out to the City’s expectations, and accurately documented in the City’s record system with detailed daily reporting. Bill Kreger, Fidel Chavez, and John Beer are all trained in utilities inspection as well as roadway inspection, and will be prepared to provide the highest level of documentation on all City utility relocation inspection. VS ENGINEERING, INC. | LETTER OF INTEREST • 6 It is our promise to monitor contract quantities, manage and negotiate all change orders fairly, and maximize the work that is completed for each dollar you spend. Communication between the VS Project Team, the contractor, City officials and the public will be key in adhering to the project schedule. The VS Team will remain proactive in preventing delays to construction by ensuring smooth and efficient coordination bewteen the contractor and utilities. A Project Supervisor who is willing to listen to and inform local residents of project progress is essential in appeasing the minds of the public. The VS Team’s decades of traffic control experience will help to implement traffic schemes in order to provide safety for motorists traveling through and living in South Bend. PROJE CT APPROACH SOUTH BEND • COAL LINE TRAIL (PHASE I) PROJECT UNDERSTANDING