City reports Myra Road extension contract awarded to Apollo; construction planned to begin in April

City staff reported to the Walla Walla City Council on Feb. 26 that the construction contract for the South Myra Road extension was awarded to Apollo, Inc., following a public bid opening on Feb. 14 and completion of the city's responsiveness and responsibility review.

Staff said five bidders submitted proposals and the low bid from Apollo came in well under the engineer's estimate. The city reported the low bid as $8,833,478.16 and said the engineer's estimate was just under $12 million. City staff noted a minor bid irregularity (a unit price miscalculation) that was waived per council authority and that the contract was formally awarded on Feb. 21; the contract signature process was underway.

Staff described schedule planning for the project: work is expected to begin at the south end—near the Tim Morrison area—and a preliminary mobilization date of about April 1 was described as a target pending the preconstruction meeting with the contractor. Staff also reported that right‑of‑way acquisition is complete and signed documents were in transit.

A resident speaker had asked about the public bid opening process and public disclosure of bidders; staff confirmed bid openings are noticed and held in council chambers, the bid abstract is posted on the city's RFP and bid web page, and anyone may attend.

Council received the update without objection. No further formal council action was recorded at the meeting because council had previously authorized the contract award process and staff reported the low bid and execution steps.