The San Luis City Council approved a $100,000 professional services contract with Robins and Associates for design work on the Tenth Avenue widening project from Cesar Chavez Boulevard to County 202nd Street, the city engineer said.
City Engineer Thomas Sanchez told the council the project will add dual travel lanes, a center turn lane, bike lanes, sidewalks, street lighting, right-of-way exhibits and storm drainage design; the design is needed before the city requests remaining right-of-way from the Bureau of Land Management. "This road improvement will help alleviate traffic congestion during peak hours," Sanchez said.
City Attorney Kaye McQuill warned that litigation involving the same stretch of road includes disputes over who pays for design and construction and urged the council to limit discussion on liability. Mayor Nieves Raydel declared a conflict at the start of the item and later abstained from the vote.
Sanchez estimated a potential timeline: if the contract is executed next week, he said design would be ready for submittal to the Bureau of Land Management in about three months, and BLM review could take six to eight months. Sanchez said plans could be ready for construction after July 2026.
Vice Mayor took over the meeting when the mayor declared a conflict. Councilmember Javier Vargas moved to approve the contract; the measure carried with six council members voting to approve and the mayor abstaining.