Bullhead City approves three right-turn lane contracts using $8 million state grant

Bullhead City Council on Oct. 7 approved three construction contracts to add right-turn lanes along State Route 95 and to widen a section of the City Center corridor, actions city officials said are funded largely by an $8 million grant from the state of Arizona and developer contributions.

The council voted unanimously to authorize: (1) a Safeway right-turn lane construction contract with Percol Rock Company of Cedar City, Utah, not to exceed $2,536,703.40; (2) a southbound right-turn lane at State Route 95 and Laughlin Ranch Boulevard with Percol Rock Company, not to exceed $474,610.62; and (3) a City Center improvement district widening contract with McCormick Construction Company, not to exceed $1,630,178. All three motions passed 7–0.

Why it matters: the city said the work will improve traffic flow and safety on a busy stretch of Highway 95, reduce dangerous access points and provide infrastructure for potential future signals. City staff also told the council the projects will be paid from the $8 million state appropriation Bullhead City received last year, with one project funded through an improvement district and a $500,000 Commerce Authority grant.

Public-works director Angie Johnson described the Safeway project as a multistage reconstruction that will effectively create a continuous southbound third lane from the Wells Fargo driveway to the intersection near Terrible's. "We're moving one driveway, adding stacking distance for vehicles exiting Safeway and installing drainage and retaining walls," Johnson said. She told the council the plan includes relocating Safeway's driveway north to improve vehicle stacking and adding some parking configured for larger vehicles in front of the store.

Johnson said construction will require temporary construction easements and that the city expects to present a separate property-acquisition agreement (a $1,000 payment to a Wells Fargo parcel) at the next meeting. The council approved the construction contract this evening and will see the acquisition item later.

On the Laughlin Ranch Boulevard project, Johnson said the intersection was built to be expanded and that the work will require minimal pole relocation and conduit work. For the City Center widening, staff said that the developer will ultimately pay the project costs through an improvement district and that the city obtained a $500,000 economic-strengthening grant to offset part of the cost.

Finance staff and the city manager reviewed grant accounting. City staff reported total expenditures from the state appropriation of $4,760,355.20 to date and said the remaining balance is approximately $3,239,644.80; staff noted the remaining funds will be applied to other planned right-turn lanes.

All three contract awards were the low bidders recommended by staff. The contracts name Percol Rock Company and McCormick Construction Company as the selected contractors and authorize the city manager or designee to execute the agreements and issue payments.

Next steps: staff said construction scheduling will follow award and permitting, and the council will see any required property-acquisition documents or easement agreements at future meetings.