The restructuring of how the Bear Valley Community Service District operates its main gate has been a topic of discussion for years.
However, coming up with a design that would benefit both the residents and the district has been a challenge.
And the district moved a step closer to acquiring a concept for redesigning its main entrance on Bear Valley Road, after four of its five directors present at its July 11, meeting, unanimously agreed to select and request a proposal from Bakersfield-based Cornerstone Engineering/ Ruettgers and Shuler to provide a conceptual design of what Bear Valley’s main gate may look like in the future.
Selected by the district’s infrastructure committee, Bakersfield-based Cornerstone was the number one choice of the three firms that responded to the district’s request for qualifications, which was sent out on May 20.
Public Works Superintendent Larry Tuma and citizen volunteers Jane Baron and Matt Vovilla reviewed and scored all three proposals the district received, then met with each of the firms, which included engineering giants Quad Kopf and Psomas.
Cornerstone, which was eventually selected for its expertise in civil engineering, will handle a majority of the conceptual design process, while Ruettgers and Shuler will address the traffic specific issues as it relates to the project.
As for the details of the design itself, Tuma said it will include feasibility studies of re-designing the entrance gate and geometrics of the traffic lanes to provide for adequate turn-around and sight distance.
The study will also look into the feasibility of relocating the Brown Lane intersection, as well as focusing on semi-automation of the gate entrance so that it will no longer need to be manned 24-hours a day.
That portion of the study will also include ideas utilizing advanced technologies, including camera-based, transponder-based, or other gate control methods.
Tuma also said that the limits of improvements will be at the east end of the existing two-lane Bear Valley Road, westerly to the west intersection of the frontage road.
“Appropriate transitions will be designed for the easterly and westerly segments of the roadway to tie into the existing roadway geometry,” he said. “The project will consist of studying roadway widening, resurfacing, minor storm drain improvements, gate control modification, street light relocations, relocation of utility poles, right-of-way acquisition, coordination with utility companies and re-design of landscaping/irrigation, and other improvements.”
The next step in the process will be for the district to agree on a price that will Cornerstone to draft up the design and an estimate for construction costs.
After reviewing and selecting a workable design, the district would then go out to bid for the actual construction phase of the project.
As for the financing for the gate improvement — according to board vice president Bill Mason, it will come from the district’s gate tax and as necessary, the district’s general fund.
Other agenda items:
The board also gave its approval to replace the old wooden pickle ball court wall at the tennis courts, with a new fiber type board, as well as installing fencing around the hole seven tee box at Oak Tree County Club.
The new fencing would improve the safety of nearby Four Island Lake residents and guests, who are currently in the line of fire when golf balls driven from the tee box end up in some of the lake’s picnic and fishing areas.
The combined costs of both projects are projected to be around $14,000.
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