Bridge project change orders: city credits contractor for sewer approach, approves temporary trail detour work for pedestrian safety; council approval required

Public works staff updated the council on change orders for the Emergency Evacuation Bridge project, including a deductive credit and additional work to create a safer temporary trail detour for pedestrians and schoolchildren.

Staff said change order 2 is a deductive credit that resulted when the contractor used an alternate construction approach for the sanitary sewer force‑main relocation; that approach reduced the contract price by about $323,000. Change orders 3 and 4 covered work to design, grade and pave a temporary trail detour after staff and contractor concluded that routing pedestrians on Old Pioneer Way was unsafe during construction. The contractor located an asphalt source and paved the detour within an eight‑day window, which staff said avoided additional mobilization costs.

Why it matters: The detour was designed with input from the Foothills Trail users and the school district to protect pedestrians and reduce conflicts with construction and bus traffic. Staff said they will add signage and fencing near the cul‑de‑sac to channel pedestrians to the Foothills Trail.

Decision and next steps: Because the change orders exceed staff approval levels, staff will forward the change orders to the full city council for formal approval at a future meeting. Staff also noted that one of the deductive change orders reduces the contract amount; the net overall contract adjustment and final total will be listed in the council agenda item.

Ending: Staff emphasized that the temporary trail detour and subsequent mitigation measures aim to keep pedestrians out of the active work zone while construction continues. The change orders will be listed as action items on the next council agenda for approval.