Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the Transportation Infrastructure topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Council approves nearly $2 million contract for Commercial Avenue corridor improvements
Summary
Anacortes City Council authorized a $1.96 million construction contract for the Commercial Avenue Corridor Phase 1 project covering Eleventh to Thirteenth streets, including a new traffic signal, protected bike lanes and pedestrian upgrades; council discussion clarified project scope, funding and a contract time-frame ambiguity.
Anacortes City Council approved a $1,964,312.10 contract for construction work on Commercial Avenue from Eleventh to Fourteenth streets, the council voted unanimously during its May 12 meeting.
The project will rebuild the intersections at Eleventh, Twelfth and Thirteenth streets and the Commercial Avenue segments between Eleventh and Fourteenth. It includes a new signal at Twelfth and Commercial, protected bike lanes on the corridor, pedestrian facilities and lighting, and an elevated intersection at Eleventh and Commercial. Staff said the work was identified in the city's 2025 capital facilities plan and that funding comes from the Washington Department of Transportation, the Transportation Improvement Board and the city.
The city staff presentation identified the apparent low bidder as “Cali Curcio Brothers” and gave an engineer's estimate of $2,400,000. The staff report included contract language for up to 60 working days; council members discussed an apparent inconsistency in the contract documents that refer to calendar days in one place. Council agreed staff will meet with the contractor to firm up sequencing and schedule before work begins.
"Before you is a contract for the construction of Commercial Avenue from Eleventh To Fourteenth Street," a staff member presenting the item said, identifying the contract amount and the elements included in the work. Councilmember Walters called the bid "a really good price" compared with prior designs and earlier, more expensive options. Councilmember Bolton confirmed that curb ramps and ADA-compliant features would be installed at the three intersections.
A motion by Councilmember Young, seconded by Councilmember Fantini, authorized the mayor to sign the contract. The clerk recorded affirmative votes from Young, Walters, Cleland McGrath, Moulton, McDougal, Hubick and Fantini; the motion carried.
City staff said design work was performed by Alta Engineering with Washington State Department of Transportation review and approval, and that staff will notify the public about contractor sequencing and schedule as details are finalized.
Council and staff emphasized that the project is intended to avoid long intersection closures and property takings associated with earlier, larger designs and to test updated signal and safety features at Eleventh Street.
The council did not set a firm construction start date at the meeting; staff said timing will be determined after meeting the contractor to finalize sequencing and schedule.
