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La Porte approves $100,000 of Microsoft-funded consultant work to plan utilities and transportation
Summary
The board approved $100,000 in Microsoft-funded professional services for infrastructure planning: Abbot Marsh $30,000, Lochmuller $45,000, Neese $15,000 and USI $10,000 to study water, sewer, roadway and bridge capacity relevant to Microsoft’s project.
The La Porte Board of Public Works and Safety approved a package of professional-service agreements, funded by Microsoft under the city's development agreement, to plan transportation and utility upgrades that would serve the Microsoft site.
Engineering recommended four consultants and amounts: Abbot Marsh for planning and water/wastewater design ($30,000); Lochmuller for transportation evaluation and scoping ($45,000); Neese for capacity surveying and validation ($15,000); and USI to evaluate a bridge over Travis Ditch for potential upgrades ($10,000). "We have the funds according to the development agreement," the engineering presenter said; each contract was approved separately by voice vote.
Staff said the work will help identify necessary roadway, intersection and utility improvements and coordinate with the city's five-year capital plan so that Microsoft-related work does not unduly affect other residents. Engineering noted that transportation planning will also examine options to route truck traffic off downtown streets.
The board approved all four contracts and asked staff to coordinate closely with county partners on bridge funding and construction where applicable.
