Lewiston awards $6.7 million Site C intake Phase 1 contract amid funding shortfall

The Lewiston City Council voted Jan. 27 to award IFB‑25‑3, Site C intake reconstruction Phase 1, to Helm Construction Inc. for $6,700,000 and authorized Mayor Dan Johnson to sign the contract.

The contract covers in‑water construction work and related components of the city’s long‑running effort to replace a failing permanent intake on the Clearwater River. Public Works Director Dustin Johnson told council the city has permits and design work in place but has exhausted several funding sources and cannot yet complete a fully operational permanent intake.

“This takes care of the hard work, but it does not finish the project,” Dustin Johnson said, describing the Phase 1 scope as work that removes structures from the river and installs pump, electrical and related systems. “As of today, we do not have funding.”

Why it matters: Lewiston has relied on a temporary intake for decades; city staff and elected officials described repeated failures of a permanent intake built decades ago and said repeated repair attempts and evolving design and material standards have increased costs. Mayor Dan Johnson and staff said the city has pursued federal and state assistance but remains short of the estimated total cost to finish the intake and fish‑protection elements.

Council and staff gave a multi‑year background on the project. City presentations said the permanent intake has operated only intermittently since it was first constructed, that the Army Corps of Engineers’ earlier repairs and the structure’s original design do not meet current standards, and that multiple start‑up attempts had failed. The council record notes the city used state revolving fund (SRF) financing and state‑allocated ARPA dollars earlier in the program.

Staff told council the bid award follows four responsive bids. Dustin Johnson said the low responsive bid came from Helm Construction. The city intends to use a combination of previously allocated state ARPA funds and a smaller Army Corps grant to complete the Phase 1 work; councilors and staff said those sources do not fully fund the overall intake reconstruction and fish‑screen costs.

Mayor Dan Johnson and staff said they continue to press state and federal contacts for further aid. The mayor described recent meetings with congressional staff and state offices and said the Office of Species Conservation and the governor’s office indicated possible support for the fish‑screen components. He also said the city has sought additional federal funding and technical help from the Corps but has not yet secured full funding to finish the overall intake.

The contract passed on a council vote after a motion by Councilor Schroeder and a second by Council President Klieberg; the clerk recorded the ayes and the motion carried. Staff said if unexpected costs appear, the city would return to council to request adjustments or reallocate local funds, and that completing in‑water work now would preserve permits and reduce future river‑work risk while the city seeks money to finish remaining components.

Councilors and staff underscored the intake’s role in long‑term water supply reliability and fish‑protection regulatory obligations. Staff emphasized the Phase 1 award is intended to keep the project moving forward and to preserve the city’s ability to finish the permanent intake should additional funding become available.

The city plans to begin work in the next construction season; staff said additional contract phases and funding requests will return to council when they are ready.