Committee backs Puget Sound Energy design agreement for Old Highway 99/70 Ninth roundabout

The City of Tumwater Public Works Committee on March 20 recommended the City Council approve a Schedule 74 design agreement with Puget Sound Energy (PSE) to design undergrounding of PSE distribution facilities within the Old Highway 99 and 70 Ninth Avenue roundabout and frontage improvements project.

A PSE design agreement covers preparation of utility plans and a PSE cost estimate; staff told the committee the design agreement establishes PSE’s scope and fee for producing plans. The presenter said PSE will provide a construction cost estimate at the end of design and that the city and PSE will later execute a construction agreement that sets the cost split — described by staff as 60/40 — for the undergrounding work.

The larger project includes a roundabout at Old Highway 99 and 70 Ninth Avenue to support a planned operations and maintenance facility and Trails End Park frontage improvements, plus frontage work on Trails End Drive. Staff said some right‑of‑way negotiations remain with the Port and adjacent property owners before a construction schedule is finalized; the presenter indicated the roundabout portion is expected to proceed in the next construction season, pending those negotiations.

Committee members asked for an update on schedule and confirmed the city’s preference to underground utilities when possible. The committee approved placing the PSE Schedule 74 design agreement on the April 1 City Council consent calendar with a recommendation to approve and authorize the mayor to sign.