The Tom Waters City Public Works Committee voted Thursday to place Amendment No. 2 to a service provider agreement with HDR Engineering for the Old Highway 99 and 70 Ninth Avenue roundabout design on the Sept. 16 city council consent calendar with a recommendation the council approve and authorize the mayor to sign. The committee took the action after a brief presentation from city staff and limited questions.

The amendment adds $122,266.05 to the project, bringing the contract total to $857,266.05, and extends the design timeline. “There were some design changes, which included stormwater revisions, some utility coordination…unforeseen ground conditions, which required some additional geotechnical investigations,” said Jared Verhey, capital projects manager, Transportation and Engineering Department. He also said the amendment adds retaining wall design and coordination with the port.

The committee discussed timing for construction. Verhey said the project team must coordinate with the port and the Federal Aviation Administration, and that, depending on that process, construction is likely to occur in mid-2026. “I believe it's likely going to be, into next year, possibly mid next year, kinda depending on how that process goes,” Verhey said.

The committee’s recommended action directs that the amendment be placed on the Sept. 16 city council consent calendar with a recommendation to approve and authorize the mayor to sign. A motion to place the item on consent was moved and seconded; the committee voice-voted the measure in favor.

Discussion and materials presented to the committee described the roundabout site as east of the airport near Capitol Boulevard, adjacent to Spuds Market, and noted related frontage improvements on 70 Ninth and Trails End Drive to prepare for a nearby public works facility (previously referred to as the operations and maintenance facility). Verhey said the original agreement for design work was for $735,000 and that the project previously received an extension under Amendment No. 1 through December 2026.

The committee did not set a construction start date; Verhey tied the schedule to remaining approvals from the port and FAA and to completion of outstanding design tasks. The committee’s action was procedural — forwarding the amendment to the full council for final authorization and mayoral signature.