ST9302-CS000818Robert Weber
Ed Bell Construction Co.
10605 Harry Hines Blvd.
Dallas, Texas 75220
RE: Sandy Lake Road ST93-02
Dear Mr. Weber:
This letter is written to address several concerns that I have ,~,,~ ,~ ..............
Lake Road from Denton Tap to MacArthur Blvd. I am starting to receive frequent inquiries as
to why it appears no construction activity is taking place along Sandy Lake Road. These
inquiries are not only from citizens, but from elected officials inquiring as to why, with the
prolonged period of no rain, there has been a lack of activity on Sandy Lake Road.
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Based on those inquiries, I revieWed the schedule submitted to the City of Coppell on May 17,
2000. It appears that we are already 6-8 weeks behind that schedule. According to the
schedule, the following items should have already been completed by the middle of August:
Item 55
Item 21
Item 22
Item 2
Item 30
Item 31
Wall at Heartz
Clean-up
Traffic switch
30" Coppell Waterline
Lime subgrade
Irrigation conduit
The last two items, in conjunction with the wall at Heartz, are particularly disturbing because
those items need to be completed prior to additional paving taking place. The schedule also
shows that paving will commence in August. Obviously, that is not going to happen and at this
point I am concerned as to when paving will actually take place.
In reviewing the last pay estimate of August 7, 2000, it shows that 621 calendar days have
been assessed to this project. As of August 17, 2000, 631 calendar days have been assessed to
the project and the total completion time for the project is 1,041 calendar days. Reviewing the
items that should have already been completed, the fact that we are 6 - 8 weeks behind the
255 PARI';.WAY 'irP.O.BOX 4'78 '1Ir COPPELL TX 75OI9 "A'TEL 9'72/462 0022 'A'FAX 972/304 3673
/
A & .
August 18, 2000
Robert Weber
Ed Bell Construction Co.
10605 Harry Hines Blvd.
Dallas, Texas 75220
RE: Sandy Lake Road ST93-02
Dear Mr. Weber:
This letter is written to address severed concerns that I have with the construction of Sandy
Lake Road from Denton Tap to MacAt thur Blvd. I am starting to receive frequent inquiries as
to why it appears no construction activity is taking place along Sandy Lake Road. These
inquiries are not only from citizens, but from elected officials inquiring as to why, with the
prolonged period of no rain, there has been a lack of activity on Sandy Lake Road.
Based on those inquiries, I reviewed the schedule submitted to the City of Coppell on May 17,
2000. It appears that we are already 6-8 weeks behind that schedule. According to the
schedule, the following items should have already been completed by the middle of August:
Item 55 Wall at Heartz
Item 21 Clean-up
Item 22 Traffic switch
Item 2 30" Coppell Waterline
Item 30 Lime subgrade
Item 31 Irrigation conduit
The last two items, in conjunction with the wall at Heartz, are particularly disturbing because
those items need to be completed prior to additional paving taking place. The schedule also
shows that paving will commence in AUgust. Obviously, that is not going to happen and at this
point I am concerned as to when paving will actually take place.
In reviewing the last pay estimate of August 7, 2000, it shows that 621 calendar days have
been assessed to this project. As of August 17, 2000, 631 calendar days have been assessed to
the project and the total completion time for the project is 1,041 calendar days. Reviewing the
items that should have already been completed, the fact that we are 6 - 8 weeks behind the
255 PARR. WAY * P.O BOX 478 ,Ir COPPF-.LL TX 75OI9 1Ir TEL 972/462 0022 ~' FAX 972/304 3673
schedule submitted in May, considering the items that still need to be completed, and the
addition of the last change order for the construction through MacArthur, it appears that at a
minimum it will take 1,130 to 1,150 calendar days to complete this project. That assumes that
we stay on schedule and lose no additional time. Based on those numbers, at the completion of
the project liquidated damages will be assessed on this project and those damages will range
from about $45,000 to $55,000.
I am requesting an updated schedule that will show an accurate and realistic timeframe
for the completion of this project.
Also, I am requesting resolution of the following items:
In July 2000, a letter was sent expressing my concern about the paving on the north side of
Sandy Lake Road from Denton Tap to Moore Rd. Casual observation of the paving
indicates holes in the paving, some as large as a fist, and a deterioration of the paving
surface.
Please provide information as to the cause of this and an analysis of the integrity of the
paving. This information is needed to determine how much of the paving needs to be
removed and replaced prior to acceptance of the project.
Bid Item//4, for relocation of brick walls and signs, provides a cost of $7,000 to relocate
the entry signs at Allencrest and Woodcrest. Recently, the Homeowners Association for
that subdivision approached the City about constructing 4 entry features as opposed to the 2
removed by your firm. We are working out an agreement with the HOA for them to
replace the entry features.
Do not rebuild the entry signs at Allencrest and Woodcrest unless directed in writing by
the City of Coppell subsequent to the date of thi~ letter.
3. The City has received several letters concerning claims from citizens in reference to
vehicles striking guardrails installed by your fu'm for traffic control purposes.
Please provide an update on those various claims.
Numerous times during the duration of this project your firm has been contacted
concerning street and stop signs that are either missing or leaning. As of today, once again
there are numerous leaning street and stop signs along Sandy Lake Road that have been
removed and replaced haphazardly by your firm.
Please correct those signs and in the future any signs removed and replaced should be
adequately replaced so as to remain in an upright position until permanently replaced by
your firm.
Throughout the course of this project, the City has received numerous complaints about
asphalt transitions from the existing side streets to the new paving. Once again, the City is
receiving complaints. Pay Item #76 of the contract specifies temporary roadways should be
2-inch hot mix over 6-inch flexible base. The City has been very cooperative allowing you
to utilize milled asphalt for your transitions. However, your f'Lrm has been less than
responsive in maintaining those transitions in a safe and driveable manner.
Please be advised in the future that all transitional paving should be 2-inch hot mix over
6-inch flex base installed as per the contract and paid under Pay Item/f76. Also, the
existing transitions on the project should be removed and replaced with 2-inch hot mix
over a 6-inch flex base. This work should be accomplished as soon as possible.
Several items on the project continue to concern me. One is the wall at Heartz Rd./Sandy
Lake. You stated several months ago it would be difficult to construct it as shown on the
plans. During our conversations it was obvious that nothing had changed from the time the
project was bid until the attempt to construct the wall. Therefore, any difficulty in the wall
construction should have been taken into consideration at the bid time and adequate
resources should have been allocated to construct the wall in a timely manner. It is my
understanding that you are yet again proposing to install a different type of wall.
Please be advised any changes allowed on the wall construction will be for the sole benefit
of the contractor and the City will incur no additional cost over what the contract states
this wall will cost. Any changes are strictly for the benefit of the contractor in the ease of
construction.
The walls constructed along the north side of Sandy Lake Road have been ready for the
brick facing for some time. The City had requested brick samples numerous times. Those
were finally provided to us and the selection was made and provided back to you. It was
our understanding that the brick facing would take place immediately.
Please respond as to why no work has taken place on the facing of the retaining wall on
the north side of Sandy Lake Road. Also, please provide stone samples for the facing of
the retaining wall generally located between Sta 36+ 00 and Sta 40+ 00.
8. It is my understanding that Robert Weber is no longer the project manager on Sandy Lake
Road.
Please provide a name and contact number for the new project manager from your firm
who will be in charge of this project and who has the authority to make decisions
concerning thi~ project. Because of the current status of this project and the uncertainty
of the new project manager and items that have been on-going for some time, I am also
requesting that the appropriate representative of Ed Bell Construction Company contact
my office to schedule a meeting to discuss this project and to discuss a timetable for Sandy
Lake Road.
This is a very high profile project in the City of Coppell and the recent lack of meaningful
work on the project is starting to cause concern for the City. Please call me at your earliest
convenience to schedule a meeting.
Sincerely,
Kenneth M. Griffin, P.E.
Director of Engineering/Public Works
CC.'
Lee Allison P.E., Kimley Horn
Steven Priddy, President
Doug Teter, Vice-President
Jim Witt, City Manager
Clay Phillips, Deputy City Manager
Garreth Campbell, Construction Inspector
Mike Martin, Asst. City Engineer
Fireman's Fund Insurance Co.
C/O Aon Risk Services of Texas, Inc.
2711 N. Haskell Ave., Suite 800
Dallas, TX 75204
Attn: Jerry P. Rose