Public Works outlines callable bids and repair projects; Toutle wastewater upgrade and guardrail, culvert contracts on agenda

Cowlitz County Public Works staff presented multiple project updates and contract items, including a call for bids for the Toutle Wastewater Treatment Plant improvement project, awards for culvert and equipment rental contracts, a federal safety delineator project, and a unit‑price guardrail repair contract.

Toutle wastewater upgrade: Staff announced a call for bids that will open Feb. 5 for improvements at the Toutle Wastewater Treatment Plant. The scope includes replacement of aerators, chlorine tank and chemical feed upgrades, an effluent pump station upgrade, a new flow meter and standby generator, and electrical improvements. The engineer’s opinion of probable cost provided in the presentation was about $1.6 million. Funding sources cited were ARPA funds and the Water Sewer Capital Reserve Fund. Public Works staff said the plant is not at capacity and, once updated, should support growth for the next 10–20 years absent an unexpected surge in development.

Delineators and guardrail repairs: The county presented a prospectus and local agency supplement to obligate federal construction funding for a countywide delineator project; obligation of $185,000 in federal funds and a budgeted total project estimate were reported, with Road Fund covering the remaining local share. Separately, the board considered a unit‑price bid award for guardrail installation and repair to address guardrail damaged during the previous year; the apparent low bid was materially below the engineer’s estimate and the award amount discussed was approximately $460,310.75.

Culvert and rental contracts: Road staff reported annual bid awards for culverts and drainage supplies (awarded to multiple suppliers such as Ferguson and James Pipe & Supply) and a multiple‑vendor award for equipment rentals; the county will purchase standard inventory items on hand and order nonstandard sizes as needed.

Right‑of‑way and easements: Public Works said 12 temporary construction easement extensions (South Cloverdale Road) were on the agenda and that staff believe the project is ready to go to construction pending final approvals from other agencies.

Local concerns and smaller roads: Commissioners asked about Wilkinson Road (a narrow, low‑volume section in the Bridal/Cougar area). Public Works staff said the narrow segment serves about 10 lots, two of which are owned by a utility company and likely won’t develop; staff estimated a full two‑lane widening through the constrained section could exceed $1 million and the road was not on the department’s six‑year plan. Commissioners discussed complaints about log‑truck noise in Riderwood and clarified that through‑traffic on state routes is controlled by the Washington State Department of Transportation; county intervention would be limited to local side streets.

Ending: Public Works staff said construction documents are near final for several projects and that the bridge and guardrail projects will be bid in the coming weeks; commissioners asked staff to follow up with timing and capacity details for the Toutle plant.