BUSD board approves change order for Bonsall ES traffic improvements

Joe Naiman

Village News Reporter

The Bonsall Unified School District board met Wednesday, March 15, and included approval of a change order for Phase II of the Bonsall Elementary School operational traffic improvements.

The board’s 5-0 vote adds $19,475 to the contract with Wier Construction Corporation, bringing the total contract amount to $315,794. The change order covers additional work associated with an underground pipe conflict and a curb cut modification.

The operational traffic improvements are intended to relieve traffic congestion around Bonsall Elementary School. The traffic flow optimization takes into account the Rio Estrella development, which was called Golf Green Estates when the subdivision map for 94 residential lots was approved, and the future Bonsall Community Park. Because a county park will be involved, the school district has been working with the county’s Department of Parks and Recreation as well as the county’s Department of Public Works and the office of County Supervisor Jim Desmond.

Performing the work in phases not only spreads out the expense over multiple fiscal years but also allows the work to be performed when school is not in session. The Phase I work was performed during summer 2022. The pedestrian access improvements are part of Phase II, and any improvements involving county right of way will need to undergo the county process. On Nov. 19, the BUSD board approved a contract with Weir Construction, which is based in Escondido, for Phase II of the traffic improvements. The contract stipulates that construction will be completed by March 31.

Completion of many of the improvements occurred during Winter Break.

“The project looks great,” BUSD superintendent Joseph Clevenger said.

An existing 24-inch storm drain was in conflict with the planned footings. Weir said that the footing may be stepped down approximately two feet at the corner so that the pipe would run over the top of the footing while not encroaching on the wall.

The school district reviewed and tentatively approved the change order. The school district and Weir negotiated another change order.

“We decided to have them do some additional curb work across the street from the entryway,” Clevenger said.

That work will grind down the slopes of the concrete curbs to match the slopes of the apron wings at the pedestrian curb ramp.

The substantial completion date, which was originally Dec. 29, was revised to March 10. The change orders did not alter the March 31 construction completion date.

Joe Naiman can be reached by email at [email protected].