12-086924 Construct RW, SW, HMA, Pvmt, Drainage, and Elect Systems

The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) is soliciting sealed bids for construction of roadway, sidewalk, hot mix asphalt pavement, drainage, and electrical systems on State Route 74 in Orange County near San Juan Capistrano, with bids due November 10, 2026 at 2:00 p.m. via Bid Express. This is a federal-aid project subject to Buy America requirements for manufactured products, iron, steel, and construction materials.

The scope encompasses a 2.2-mile segment from 0.1 mile west of Calle Entradero to Reata Road, with 143 bid line items covering demolition, earthwork, drainage infrastructure, retaining walls, sound walls, concrete structures, pavement markings, traffic control systems, signal and lighting systems, and landscaping. Work must be completed within 600 working days excluding plant establishment and permanent erosion control work; plant establishment and permanent erosion control are each capped at 250 working days (750 working days total). Contractors must hold either a California Class A license or a combination of Class C licenses (C-12 and C-8) constituting a majority of the work. Federal and state prevailing wage requirements apply, with rates set by the California Department of Industrial Relations and the U.S. Secretary of Labor.

The estimated project cost is $47 million. Bidders must submit a bid bond equal to at least 10 percent of their bid amount. Caltrans will furnish specific traffic signal controller components and completely wired controller cabinets; bidders must pick up these items at 691 S. Tustin Street, Orange, California. The project requires coordination with multiple utility providers (AT&T, Cox, Crown Castle, Southern California Gas, SDG&E, and Santa Margarita Water District) and includes temporary construction easements on private properties expiring March 6, 2030. Environmental compliance includes lead compliance plans and stormwater pollution prevention. Automated machine guidance is required for earthwork operations.