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Council approves keeping four lanes on Wheeler Road, agrees to cover $250,000 chip‑seal cost
Summary
After a July meeting with Wheeler Industrial Corridor stakeholders, the council voted to keep Wheeler Road as four lanes, authorize chip seal and restriping at a city cost estimated at $250,000, and noted potential grant consequences from TIB if the configuration is changed.
The Moses Lake City Council voted to keep a two‑mile section of Wheeler Road configured as four lanes and to cover the approximate $250,000 chip‑seal and restripe cost after hearing stakeholders’ concerns and staff options.
Why it matters: Staff said keeping four lanes would make the project ineligible for Washington State Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) funding for that segment and could reduce the city’s score on future TIB grant applications. Alternatively, staff explained, removing the two‑mile section from the current contract or proceeding as originally approved (three lanes) would carry other fiscal or community tradeoffs.
Levi Isnett, the city presenter on the item, summarized three staff options: (1) restripe and chip seal at four lanes with the city paying an estimated $250,000; (2) remove the two‑mile segment from the current project and process a change order with the contractor (including payment for contractor profit); or (3) proceed with the previously approved three‑lane configuration. Isnett said TIB indicated it would not cover the cost to retain four lanes and warned of potential scoring impacts on future grant applications.
Council members who spoke said they had listened to corridor stakeholders and favored keeping four lanes to support local businesses. Council member Fancher said the stakeholders ‘‘wanted a roundabout,’’ and expressed willingness to find funds to cover the cost. Council member Martinez said delaying the chip seal could make repairs more expensive later. Council member Scott said stakeholders are “probably in a very good position to judge what needs to be done and what works best for them.”
Council member Fancher moved and Council member Martinez seconded a motion to keep the original four lanes and have the city cover chip‑seal costs; the motion passed without recorded opposition.
The council also discussed a modular roundabout option at the Ellen Wheeler intersection. Isnett estimated the roundabout installation at approximately $450,000; the modular unit itself would cost around $100,000 or less, with installation costs still to be determined. He said the modular units have an expected service life of about 50 years and noted they are made from recycled plastic products.
Discussion versus decision: The presentation included fiscal tradeoffs and potential grant impacts; the council took formal action to preserve four lanes and to pay the chip‑seal cost. No immediate grant application changes were recorded at the meeting.
What’s next: Staff will proceed with the change that retains four lanes and will coordinate procurement and project scheduling with the awarded contractor.
