Nevius Road extension project paused after rising costs and design disagreements

Council members discussed the status of the proposed Nevius Road extension and said the project is not moving forward at this time after design expectations and cost estimates made the proposal impractical.

Council President Ronald explained the project—originally a joint intergovernmental effort with the county—was stalled after proposals to build the extension to full city standards (curb, gutter and sidewalks) made the project substantially more expensive than budgeted. “So where we stand with that currently is it would we're essentially just scrapping that plan or idea for now,” Ronald said during the meeting.

Speakers reported that, as of a June 2022 estimate discussed in council comments, costs exceeded the budget by more than $5 million. Council members and staff said difficult site topography in parts of the proposed alignment, requests from property owners, and higher construction costs in recent years contributed to the overruns. Members noted the road design differences (county vs. city standards) and that parts of the route sit inside the city but were originally built to county standards.

Councilmember Quinn and others raised questions about annexation and whether the city is asking the county to upgrade infrastructure in areas near the city boundary; staff replied there has not been a formal request to the county to build to city standards. Council members also noted the project remains on regional planning documents (a metropolitan planning organization plan) and is not off the table permanently.

No formal council vote to cancel or reallocate project funds was recorded at the meeting. Council members said property-owner alignment, county funding allocation and topographic challenges were among the obstacles that prevented advancing the project now; they suggested the project could be reconsidered when priorities or funding change.