The Socorro City Council on Aug. 7 approved two design-phase work authorizations with CEA Group for bridge replacement projects on Vineyard Road and Passmore Road.

City Development Director Alejandra Valdez told the council the Vineyard Road work authorization (Work Auth. No. 5) totals $251,449.53 and the Passmore Road authorization (Work Auth. No. 6) totals $302,793.75. Valdez said those fees are reimbursable through an interlocal agreement with Isla Del Sur Pueblo that enables the city to access Federal Highway Administration funds via the tribe; she said there will be no general-fund impact for either authorization.

Both items were moved and seconded on the consent portion of the agenda and approved by voice vote. Councilors had no substantive objections during the brief presentations.

Why it matters: The work authorizations advance engineering and design work on two bridge-replacement projects that the city expects to fund through the tribe’s federal-aid access. The approvals allow the design engineer to proceed with plans necessary to pursue construction funding and eventual procurement.

Next steps: CEA Group will perform the design services under the work authorizations. City staff said the work will be reimbursed through the Isla Del Sur Pueblo interlocal agreement; the city manager is authorized to sign the agreements.