Council approves CMAQ traffic-signal fiber projects; K & W Electric wins two contracts

The Waterloo City Council voted to proceed with two Congestion Mitigation and Air Quality (CMAQ) traffic-signal fiber optic projects and awarded both contracts to K & W Electric of Cedar Falls. The council approved a $524,947.50 award for the Ainsborough Avenue project (Downing Avenue south 2.7 miles to Fisher Drive) and later approved a second Broadway Street project with the award amount reported in the meeting record. Traffic and public works staff told council the fiber work had been coordinated with the city's existing conduit network and that grant funds would cover a substantial portion of project costs. Council members asked whether using existing Waterloo Fiber conduit would reduce the contract amounts; Safia Elahi, traffic operations director, said "No. It will not affect the amount. The amount is for everything for the project right now." Public Works Director Randy Bennett explained the projects had been planned and grant applications submitted before the city's separate fiber backbone work, and that upon completion the new installs "are going to tie into our existing conduit." The council adopted resolutions confirming specifications and authorized the mayor and city clerk to execute the contracts. K & W Electric's awards were approved following motions and recorded yes votes by council.