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Council authorizes HCON contract for 7th Avenue SE sidewalk, citing Safe Routes to School
Summary
After years of planning, council authorized a contract with HCON Inc. to construct about 2,700 linear feet of sidewalk along 7th Avenue SE, with enhanced crossings and conduit for future lighting; engineers' estimate $3.3M, low bid ~20% below that estimate.
Puyallup — Council authorized a contract Dec. 2 with HCON Inc. to construct the 7th Avenue Southeast Sidewalk Improvement Project, a long‑planned Safe Routes to School project prioritized to improve pedestrian safety to nearby schools.
City Engineer Hans Hunger said utility relocations and right‑of‑way complexity informed the design. He said the city received 11 bids, engineers estimated $3.3 million and the low bid was about 20% lower than that estimate. The project includes a little more than 2,700 linear feet of sidewalk on the south side of 7th Avenue SE, enhanced crossings with rapid‑flashing beacons at selected locations, and conduit placements to facilitate future lighting installations.
Councilmember Dean Johnson asked about construction timing; Hunger said contract execution could occur within about four weeks and preliminary work could begin in February, with major sidewalk pours likely in summer. Johnson and others emphasized the project’s value for safety near local schools, noting it was prioritized under Puyallup’s Safe School Routes program.
Council moved to authorize the contract with HCON, which was seconded and approved by voice vote. Staff said they will coordinate utility relocations, a pre‑construction conference with the contractor, and public notification before work begins.
