Skycrest Lane culvert replacement: four-day closure planned, residents to be accommodated during work

City staff reported progress on the Skycrest Lane culvert replacement and described project elements intended to reduce disruption and maintain safety during construction.

Cameron, the city project manager, said the contractor schedule under current plans calls for a four‑day full road closure for the culvert replacement. Staff recommended a four‑day window even though engineering contractors suggested the work could be completed in three days. The project manual will include liquidated damages and penalties if the contractor fails to meet the closure window; staff said contract terms will make the contractor responsible for additional hotel or per‑diem costs if closures extend beyond the scheduled length.

To reduce resident impacts, staff said the project will include a temporary resident-access footbridge and that hotel reimbursements or prepaid VISA cards will be made available for residents who choose to temporarily relocate. Prior to the open house, plans had included cutting water service during construction; staff said they have developed a method to maintain water access to properties during the project and to preserve firefighting hydrant access on the far side of the culvert while work is underway.

Staff described why slip‑lining the existing culvert was not the preferred option: the structure has capacity and piping issues and, during high flows, water has begun to move around the culvert and cause movement. Bowen Collins & Associates, the engineer of record, recommended full replacement rather than a slip‑lining repair for both capacity and long‑term reliability reasons.

Cameron said survey and temporary construction‑easement letters are being mailed to adjacent property owners and that stakes marking easement limits will be placed on site before residents are asked to sign. Staff reported unresolved property‑line issues between adjacent landowners that must be reconciled before final easement acquisition and that these survey and easement steps have delayed the bid timeline. The city is pushing to complete the work this fall to avoid another high‑runoff season in spring, but staff did not guarantee the schedule because easement completion remains outstanding.

Next steps enumerated by staff include mailing permit‑to‑enter and survey letters, onsite easement meetings with property owners, finalizing a site for a resident access bridge, and finalizing hotel/per‑diem logistics and bid-ready plans.