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Council approves amended contract to refine Sixth Street active-transportation designs and hold a second public open house
Summary
Council approved a $126,486 contract modification with HDR Engineering to refine concept designs for Sixth Street, add a fully protected intersection option at Naval Avenue, evaluate center left-turn lanes, and host additional outreach before advancing final engineering.
The City Council on April 2 approved Contract Modification No. 2 with HDR Engineering for additional concept design work on the Sixth Street active transportation project, authorizing further outreach and design refinements before final engineering. The council's motion added a council-determined review point to ensure public input shapes the preferred alternative.
Engineering Project Manager Nick Atayi said the amendment adds three primary items: a study of a fully protected intersection at Naval Avenue, a structured evaluation of center left-turn lanes (notably West Park Avenue), and removal of final engineering from the present contract so that council will review refined concepts before authorizing final design. Atayi presented a project budget update and said the modification carries an increase of $126,486, including a management reserve.
During public comment, riders, advocates and residents urged protected, barriered lanes and other safety features. Diane Iverson told the council protected lanes "are highways for people who use wheelchairs in addition to cyclists," and asked for protected intersections, shorter crosswalks, separate stop bars for cars and bikes and signal timing that prioritizes nonmotorized users. Other speakers—including Jacqueline Reid, Dylan Mendenhall and district residents—pressed for more stakeholder interviews, elimination of turn pockets and a continuous protected facility over the corridor.
Councilmember Patrick Coughlin moved an amendment to the contract requiring that the selection of a preferred alternative be finalized "as determined by council"; Councilmember Dave Goodnow seconded. Supporters said the change preserves options and ensures council makes the final tradeoffs among safety, cost, right-of-way needs and timeline before final engineering begins. The motion passed unanimously.
Timing and funding: staff said the city requested roughly $3.1 million from the WSDOT Pedestrian and Bicycle program to fund design, right-of-way and construction; the city was shortlisted and expects an award decision in three to four months. Staff noted final design and construction timing depend on grant awards, scope (including whether right-of-way acquisition is needed), and council direction after the next open house.
Votes at a glance: the council approved Contract Modification No. 2 with HDR Engineering, amended to add council final determination of preferred design. The roll call vote was unanimous.
