Council directs staff to bid two options for Ryze (Bridal) Lane improvement after water-line cost escalation

Public Works Director Jerry Cato (presenting) returned to the Lancaster County Council with alternate designs and updated cost estimates for the long-delayed Ryze Lane (referred to in staff materials as Bridal Lane) project. The county previously developed a plan to widen the road and move an existing 2.5-inch water line out of the pavement; after a public meeting and further engineering, staff reported significantly higher costs if the project were expanded to provide a fire-suppression-capable 6-inch water main.

"The costs were very, very high," Cato said, explaining the difference between the cheaper option of relocating the existing 2.5-inch line and the more expensive alternatives that would upgrade to a 6-inch main and install hydrants to provide fire suppression.

Staff presented three base options: Option 1 — relocate the 2.5-inch line out of the pavement and widen the road to 18 feet with roadside ditches (engineered estimate about $580,500); Option 2 — upgrade to a 6-inch water line and widen (three alignment concepts presented; all estimates ranged roughly $920,000 to $1,130,500 depending on tie-in location); and Option 3 — a lower-scope two-foot widening and overlay that leaves the water line in place (estimate about $250,500). Public Works noted that moving utilities is more costly now because state law can require the project sponsor to pay relocations that utilities once covered.

Council members voiced competing priorities. Some members said residents' primary concern is widening, not a full water-line upgrade, and that leaving the smaller line in place could be patched more cheaply later if leaks occur. Others warned that leaving the water line under pavement risks future leaks and higher repair costs. Staff said the original engineered design (Option 1) had been prepared and could be bid; Option 3 would be bid through the county’s on-call paving contractor.

After discussion, Councilman Jose Luis moved to direct staff to solicit bids that include Option 1 (relocate 2.5-inch line and full widening) and Option 3 (two-foot widening/milling) as an alternate bid; Councilman Graham seconded. The motion passed unanimously.

Staff said they will return with bid tabs and an award recommendation. If bids come in substantially higher than estimates, the council may revisit scope and funding options. Public works noted that any funds remaining in the current proviso for capital sales tax projects would revert to the county detention center project if unused.

No formal vote on construction contracts was taken during the meeting; the council provided direction to proceed with bidding.