City engineer updates council on Go Bond projects, highlights cost pressures and timelines

City Engineer Lance Webb briefed the Mesa City Council on July 8 about the status of Go Bond projects approved in 2018, 2020, 2022 and 2024, laying out progress on parks, libraries, transportation and public-safety projects and the effects of construction-cost inflation on scheduling and scope.

Webb said projects associated with the 2018 bond are at various stages: some are complete and closed out, some remain in design and others are in construction. He reported Gateway Library as under construction (about 28,000 square feet) and anticipated to open in late 2025, with November cited as the current target window. Signal Butte Park phase 2 has executed an initial GMP (guaranteed maximum price) and Webb told council that a second GMP was before council for consideration so construction could begin in summer 2025 with roughly a one-year construction schedule.

Webb described the Lehigh Crossing shared-use path: the pathway portion is complete and SRP is relocating electrical infrastructure to permit construction of a tunnel under Val Vista; the tunnel work began the week of the presentation with final tunnel construction expected later this year after JOC contractor work. Council members raised safety and lighting considerations for tunnels and asked about cameras tied to the real-time crime center; Webb and others confirmed lighting will be installed and said additional security measures have been requested for similar underpass crossings.

Nut graf: Webb framed the update around three themes: (1) active project schedules across…