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Oak Harbor council approves 10% contingency increase for NE 7th Avenue reconstruction
Summary
Council authorized an additional 10% construction contingency of up to $201,156.58 for the Northeast Seventh Avenue reconstruction project, increasing total construction spending authority to $2,615,035.50 to cover unforeseen site conditions and finishing work.
The Oak Harbor City Council on March 4 authorized a 10% additional construction contingency for the Northeast Seventh Avenue reconstruction project, approving up to $201,156.58 and increasing total construction spending authority to $2,615,035.50.
City Engineer Alex Warner and Public Works Director Steve Schuler told the council the multi-year project entered construction in August and encountered design omissions, missing water services in contract documents, wetland soils and other constructability issues that increased quantities and required additional work. The original contract amount was presented as about $2,010,000 with a previously approved 20% contingency; city staff said total authority had been $2,410,000 under that contingency framework.
Warner and Schuler said the team replaced an asbestos cement water main, installed new connections and hydrants, and revised designs to meet Americans with Disabilities Act standards and to ensure a durable roadway and shared-use path. Some of those changes required a mechanically stabilized earth wall and flexible asphalt path rather than rigid concrete because of underlying wetland soils.
At the time of the presentation staff said they had spent about $2,265,000, expected roughly $260,000 of remaining work, and requested the additional contingency to avoid returning to council for small overages. Staff reported they had been in contact with grant administrators; WSDOT local grant staff had approved the change orders and indicated the federal share (reported as 86.5% during discussion) would cover grant-funded portions of the added costs. Staff said state Transportation Improvement Board conversations were ongoing and the city would add any additional appropriation in a future budget amendment if needed.
Councilmember Wiesner moved to authorize the 10% contingency increase in the amount up to $201,156.58, seconded by Councilmember Marshall. The motion passed unanimously.
Council members praised staff for delivery despite project challenges and asked for completion timing; staff said the major infrastructure was substantially complete and final striping, signage, landscaping and flashing crosswalk improvements were expected within a month or two, weather permitting.
