Cowlitz County approves $45,138.98 change order for Eric Creek culvert after utility delays

Cowlitz County commissioners voted to approve a closeout change order adding $45,138.98 to the Eric Creek culvert project, County Engineer Susie Eugenis told the board. Eugenis said the extra cost covered 21 days of delay caused by utilities and procurement issues and additional temporary traffic control and bypass equipment.

Eugenis said the delay “was based on delays by utilities…we ended up to an agreement of 21 days of delays by the utilities and some procurement issues. So that added a cost of $45,138.98.” She told commissioners the contractor completed its work and that three prior change orders had been processed at no additional cost.

The board approved the motion to accept the change order. The meeting record shows two affirmative votes; one commissioner was absent that day. The action clears the way to close out the 2025 construction contract for the Eric Creek Culvert project.

Eugenis said the project included a temporary stream bypass system required because the creek is fish-bearing and noted agency monitoring showed salmon used the reopened stream soon after construction. A public speaker who identified himself as Ron, a member of a local fish-recovery board, urged continued post-project monitoring and said recovery boards normally provide follow-up reports on fish passage results.

Votes at a glance - Consent agenda (multiple items including a call for bids for crushed rock stockpiles, a request for qualifications for as-needed civil engineering services, a workers’ compensation administration contract, appointments to boards, and vouchers totaling $4,000,161.59): approved by the board on a single vote (motion to approve consent agenda). Specific contract periods and dollar amounts cited on the record where provided. - Motion item: Approve change order for Eric Creek Culvert project adding $45,138.98 for 21 days of utility delays and associated temporary traffic control; outcome: approved. Mover/second: not specified in transcript. Vote: recorded as in favor by the commissioners present (two recorded “Aye”).

The county engineer said staff will consult the county attorney about possible recovery of costs from the utility provider that caused the delay. The county previously notified utilities of its six-year road plan and project schedules at the 50% design phase and sends annual notices after commissioners adopt the plan each December.

Commissioners and staff also noted the Eric Creek project was 100% funded by the federal PROTECT program and that the work addressed a fish-passage barrier originally designed by the Cowlitz Tribe. With the change order approved, staff said they will finalize closeout paperwork for the contract.

Details drawn from staff presentation to the board and public comment at the meeting.