Missoula committee approves design contract for Woodford Street water‑main replacement

The Missoula Public Works Committee voted unanimously March 12 to approve a professional services agreement to design replacement of water mains on Woodford Street.

Tristan Firth, utility engineer for the City of Missoula, told the committee the design agreement with IMEG (listed on the agenda; the presenter used the name “IMEC Corp”) covers design of replacement mains from Mount Avenue to South Fourth West and is priced at $92,340. “Due to the project extents, this project will likely be split into 2 phases,” Firth said; he added the city expects construction in 2026 and 2027 and that public-works staff will later amend the agreement to add construction oversight and closeout services.

The project will replace about 750 linear feet of Priority‑1 cast‑iron water main installed in 1914 and about 3,400 linear feet of Priority‑2 main from 1941, Firth said. Funding will come from the Water Enterprise Fund and a State Revolving Fund loan. Firth also said the city typically offers property owners the contractor’s services to replace private service lines and that residents are notified by letter about that option.

Committee members asked about timing and whether anticipated additional costs would be included now or added by amendment later. Firth said additional costs are expected but that the city will refine them as design proceeds and as construction schedules become clearer. Committee member Bryn Jones disclosed she lives on the street and asked which end of Woodford would be built first; Firth said the design will determine phasing and he would follow up with specifics.

The committee called for public comment; none was offered. The chair then called a roll‑call vote. The motion passed unanimously.

The committee recorded no further conditions on the agreement and expects staff to return with amendments when construction‑phase work is scoped.