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Melrose Complete Streets: contractor schedules, detours and utility joint trench advance
Summary
Public works staff told the council a contractor bid for joint utility trenching came in at $315,436.50 and that work requires coordination with utilities and Iowa City; staff warned of a 19-calendar-day critical detour window and said contractors cannot begin until July 6 while final easements and bonds are completed.
Public-works staff updated council on construction logistics for the Melrose Complete Streets project and related pavement/utility work during the June 9 meeting.
Ryan Jensen said the city received a directional-drilling bid of $315,436.50 for the joint utility trench project (estimate ~$295,000). The bid is from a qualified directional-drilling contractor; staff recommended moving forward because contractor procurement and material lead times require starting the contracting process now even though a handful of easements remain to be finalized. The contractor is not permitted to begin physical work until July 6; staff expects materials lead times and bonding will push some activity into July and August, with contract completion targets aligned to avoid peak university/seasonal traffic when feasible.
Ryan described a required 19-calendar-day “critical closure” window for pavement patching on a Melrose segment; during that time westbound traffic would be detoured on Melrose to northbound Golf View then westbound on Grand to Sunset before returning to Melrose. Eastbound traffic will be maintained through alternating lane configurations. Staff emphasized notification to transit, the hospital and the public prior to detour startup.
The council also approved an MOU with Iowa City (resolution 2630) for cost-sharing of pavement repair and utility improvements tied to sanitary manhole replacement and related work; staff said Iowa City will cover sanitary manhole replacement costs while the city covers incremental costs where the city requires utilities to go underground (MidAmerican Electric’s undergrounding cost difference noted).
Council authorized staff to complete the contract award and to continue coordinating easements, utility pull-through schedules and detour notifications to residents and institutions.
