URD II - Bitterroot Trail MRL Bridge

As November 30, 2022, a design engineer has been selected. No firm timeline has been established for the construction. *The previous solicitation is listed below for reference The City of Missoula Redevelopment Agency (MRA), acting as Project Owner (hereinafter referred to as "Owner") for the City of Missoula, is seeking professional proposals from engineering firms (Consultant) to analyze the feasibility of converting the existing McCormick Park MRL railroad bridge over the Clark Fork River for use as a bicycle/pedestrian bridge in a manner that will not inhibit the use of the bridge for railroad purposes in the future. The Project is located in Missoula's Urban Renewal District II (URD II). The firm shall perform a study to analyze the feasibility of converting the railroad bridge to bike and ped use. If determined feasible, produce conceptual design alternatives of the bridge for carrying the Bitterroot Trail across the Clark Fork River, including north and south bridge approaches, trail connections, road crossing, and a probable cost of construction and construction schedule to complete this critical trail link over the Clark Fork River, collectively referred to as the "Project". In the event that the Project is deemed feasible, the MRA may, at the MRA Board's discretion, amend the Consultant's scope of services to include preliminary and final design, preparation of contract documents, bidding services, permitting through Federal, State, and Local permitting agencies, and construction administration services to complete the Project. Throughout each phase, the Consultant will be required to effectively communicate and coordinate with MRA, City Parks and Recreation Department (Parks), City Public Works & Mobility Department (PWM), Montana Rail Link (MRL), and other regulatory agencies or entities (Project Stakeholders). The need for a river crossing at McCormick Park has long been discussed and is identified in the Missoula Downtown Master Plan and the City of Missoula Long Range Transportation Plan (LRTP). The modification of the McCormick Park railroad bridge may be an expedient and cost-effective way to make this non-motorized crossing of the river. The conversion of the railroad bridge to bike/ped use is listed as a high priority project in the MRA URD II 9 Year Strategic Exit Plan and in the LRTP. The Missoula Redevelopment Agency and the City of Missoula have constructed the elements of the community's non-motorized transportation system including the riverfront trail system, the Bitterroot Trail, and the Milwaukee Trail. This pedestrian/recreational/bicycle commuter network provides key links in Missoula's non-motorized transportation system and furthers several of the goals outlined in the City of Missoula's Strategic Plan. The Project, if determined to be feasible, will connect the Bitterroot Trail at the Milwaukee Trail intersection with the Bitterroot Trail north of West Broadway, effectively completing a continuous trail from Toole Avenue in downtown Missoula to downtown Hamilton 50 miles to the south. Trail users north of Broadway will be connected to the riverfront trail system, the Kim Williams Trail, the Milwaukee Trail, and the Bitterroot Trail to the south. An analysis of the existing bridge structure will determine the integrity of the structure for use as a bicycle/pedestrian facility, and to MRL's satisfaction, that no degradation to the bridge will occur as a result of the proposed use. The continuance of the Project to preliminary design, final design, and construction is contingent upon MRL acceptance of the structural analysis, findings, and conclusions. If acceptable to MRL, the Project will proceed to conceptual design. The conceptual design of the Project will include design of the bridge approaches: West Broadway to the north and the riverfront trail system at McCormick Park and the Bitterroot Trail at the Milwaukee Trail intersection to the south. The Project Stakeholders may consider a continuance of the trail at railroad grade to connect with the Bitterroot Trail just north of S. 1st St. W. The north West Broadway approach will be designed in a manner such that the Bitterroot Trail will safely interact with the street and sidewalk system and may include a river overlook. The south bridge approach design will depict the manner in which the bridge trail will connect from railroad grade to the riverfront trail McCormick Park/Ogren Park grade and also connect with the Bitterroot Trail/Milwaukee Trail intersection. The conceptual design shall also depict the manner in which the bridge, if modified to accommodate trail use, can revert back to railroad use if needed. The conceptual design will be presented to the MRA Board of Commissioners and the Parks and Recreation Board along with a probable cost to convert the railroad bridge to pedestrian and bike use and a probable cost to revert the bridge back to rail use. Approval of the conceptual design is subject to review and approval by the MRA, Parks, PWM, MRL, and other regulatory agencies. Qualified candidates will be evaluated based on their written proposal. Interviews may be conducted at the Selection Committee's discretion. The MRA reserves the right to accept the proposal that the Selection Committee deems in the best interests of Urban Renewal District II and to reject any or all proposals that the Selection Committee deems not to be in the best interests of the City of Missoula for any reason. MRA will negotiate a Professional Services Agreement and Scope of Services budget with the selected firm. The Agreement and Scope of Services budget is tentatively scheduled to be presented to the MRA Board of Commissioners for action on or around September 15, 2022. Questions regarding the project should be directed to Tod Gass, Project Manager, MRA, 140 W. Pine Street, Missoula, MT 59802 or by calling (406) 552-6159 or email: gasst@ci.missoula.mt.us The MRA/City of Missoula is an EEO/AA, M/F, V/H Employer. All hiring shall be on the basis of merit and qualification and there shall be no discrimination in employment on the basis of race, ancestry, color, physical or mental disability, religion, national origin, sex, age, marital or familial status, creed, ex-offender status, physical condition, political belief, public assistance status, sexual orientation, or gender identity /expression, except where these criteria are reasonable bona fide occupational qualifications. Qualified women, veterans, minority and disabled individuals are strongly encouraged to submit proposals. This solicitation is being offered in accordance with Montana State statutes governing procurement of professional services. Accordingly, the Missoula Redevelopment Agency reserves the right to negotiate an agreement based on fair and reasonable compensation for the scope of work and services proposed, as well as the right to reject any and all responses deemed unqualified, unsatisfactory or inappropriate. The method of Contractor Selection has not been Determined at this time.

Division 31 -	Earthwork.
Division 32 -	Exterior Improvements.
Division 33 -	Utilities.
Division 34 -	Transportation.
Division 35 -	Waterway and Marine Construction.