Roswell committees approve contract award for Woodstock Multiuse Trail Phase 1

The Roswell City Council committees on Oct. 14 voted unanimously to award a construction contract for the Woodstock Multiuse Trail Phase 1 to Azimuth Contractors, with staff recommending a base contract of $3,100,000 and authorization up to $3,300,000.

The project will build an 8- to 10-foot multiuse trail with pedestrian lighting along the southwest side of Woodstock Road from State Route 92 to Crabapple Middle School, a distance staff described in the meeting as about "a mile, mile and a half." Greg Nicholas, interim director of transportation, told the committees the department received 10 bids; the low bid was about $3.1 million and most bids clustered between $3.1 million and $3.6 million.

Nicholas said the department originally listed the item on the agenda with a contract amount of $3,192,339.38 and a budget authorization of $3,352,000, but after bid review the staff recommendation to the committees was to award to Azimuth Contractors for $3,100,000 with a construction authorization of $3,300,000. "This is the Woodstock Multiuse Trail phase 1. It will construct an 8 foot to 10 foot multiuse trail, including pedestrian lighting on the Southwest side of Woodstock Road," Nicholas said.

Why it matters: Councilmember Johnson emphasized the project's role in building the city's planned trail network and connecting neighborhoods to schools. "It's another great use of T-SPLOST funds to build multiuse trails, to a school," Johnson said, noting the trail is part of more than 25 miles of funded trails planned in coming years. Councilmember Beeson asked about traffic management given proximity to Crabapple Middle School, Roswell North, and Roswell High School; Nicholas said there will be intermittent lane closures but not during school hours and the contractor will coordinate traffic control to keep Woodstock Road flowing.

Mayor Wilson asked about timing; Nicholas said silt fencing and other mobilization activities should be in place by the end of the year and the department hopes to mobilize in November or December depending on contract signing. Construction was estimated to take nine months, and staff said they were "hoping" to complete work in time for the 2026 school year.

A motion to approve the contract was made by Councilmember Johnson and seconded by Councilmember Beeson; the committees voted in favor and the motion passed unanimously.

Next steps: staff will finalize the contract, coordinate a mobilization schedule with the contractor, and manage lane closures and traffic control during construction. Staff also said $855,500 of project cost is reimbursable from Fulton County for related waterline work.