The Chehalis City Council on July 14 awarded the lowest bid for the Louisiana Avenue overlay project to Lakeside Industries of Centralia for $577,880 and authorized a 15% contingency and broader project authority for the city manager.

The nut graf: The project is funded through a Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) grant program and includes ADA curb and sidewalk improvements plus a permanent median curb; the council action lets staff execute contracts and use contingency funds for unforeseen construction issues while the city coordinates grant reimbursement and construction management work.

Public Works staff described the project scope (overlay and curb/sidewalk/median work from Chamber Way toward the roundabout and to Arkansas Way), the bidding timeline and the TIB funding structure. Staff said TIB’s contribution for the project appears in paperwork as $676,127; after adding the city’s contribution the total project budget reported was $751,244 and the city’s 10% match is $75,117. The council approved a 15% contingency (about $86,682) to address unforeseen construction issues and authorized the city manager to sign project-related documents, including change orders, for a not‑to‑exceed total of $837,926.

Staff noted design and construction‑management costs are part of the overall grant package but that the current action covered the contractor award; construction‑management services and final reimbursement percentages will be presented to council in a later agenda item. Council members asked for clearer budget tables on future TIB projects that lay out awarded design costs, bid amounts and contingency lines; staff agreed to provide clearer tabular summaries on upcoming projects.

The council motion to award Lakeside Industries the contract, to authorize the contingency and to allow the city manager to sign project documents passed on a voice vote. The council did not take additional action on design or construction management at the July 14 meeting.

Ending: Council approved the award so staff can proceed with contracting and scheduling, and will return with construction‑management agreements and final budget reconciliation as TIB reimbursement calculations are completed.