Council pre-authorizes up to $13.2 million for Myra Road South Extension; manager given authority to award bid

The Walla Walla City Council on Jan. 22 authorized pre-approval of a construction contract for the Myra Road South Extension project and gave the city manager authority to award the bid for an amount not to exceed $13,200,000.

City Manager Elizabeth Chamberlain told the council the project is the fourth phase of a corridor plan dating to 2004 and includes roundabouts, utility extensions and traffic-calming features. Chamberlain said the project would open about 27 acres of residentially zoned land and estimated roughly 1,700 construction jobs and about 900 permanent direct jobs tied to development. She described secured funding of about $12,500,000 — including a $9,000,000 Public Works Trust Fund (PWTF) loan at about 1.38% over 20 years, a $1,000,000 PWTF grant, a $2,500,000 Transportation Improvement Board grant and $200,000 pending from the Port of Walla Walla — and said a City interfund loan may be needed if bids exceed estimates.

Chamberlain and staff described a design change from signalized intersections to compact roundabouts after public input, and added speed cushions and radar speed signs on Highland Road and Morrison as safety measures. She told council the city issued bid documents the previous day and planned to open bids Feb. 11, with construction expected to begin in March or April, weather permitting, over an estimated two construction seasons.

During public comment R. L. McFarland pressed for clarity on a “mystery easement” needed for the project and said some purchase or dedication questions remained. Chamberlain and staff said a tri-party agreement among the city, the property owner (referred to in the presentation as “12T”) and WinCo had been executed and that right-of-way deeds were under review by WSDOT before recording. Staff said the city did not pay for the last needed dedication; it was being dedicated by the private parties.

Several council members supported the pre-authorization and delegation to the city manager, but at least one councilor said they were not fully convinced that the time saved (staff estimated roughly two to three weeks) justified delegating the usual council contract-award authority. Chamberlain and procurement staff explained that awarding sooner reduces risks associated with supply timing and asphalt-paving windows that could otherwise push paving beyond the allowable season and complicate related property-transaction timelines.

Council Member Moss moved approval of Resolution 2025-005, authorizing the city manager to award the construction contract for the Myra Road South Extension in an amount not to exceed $13,200,000. The motion passed unanimously.

Next steps: staff will open bids on Feb. 11, evaluate responsive and responsible bidders, and — under the council authorization — the city manager may award the contract and then route the contract documents for city attorney review. If additional funding is required the city would return with a budget amendment.