Project costs have increased since original estimate
AIRWAY HEIGHTS — The council voted six in favor and one against to approve the addition of services and costs to the summary of the 10th Avenue project at their regular council meeting on April 17.
The project, which is still in cost summary and design phases, is a new roadway connecting Garfield to Hayford and includes a traffic signal at the Hayford intersection. It is a part of a larger strategy to provide parallel corridors to U.S. Route 2 to improve east-west traffic flow.
“Additionally, we hope it will take pressure off of the highway, and especially the intersection with Hayford Road, improve public safety, and a number of other benefits,” Public Works Director Kevin Anderson said.
The original project estimate totaled $3,544,295 in June of 2021. The updated summary puts the total at $4,844,226.
The costs are dispersed among three entities, included the Transportation Improvement Board, the city itself, and the Kalispel Tribe. They are each responsible for $2,467,406; $831,897; and $1,544,923, respectively.
The design engineering firm, TO Engineers, requested an additional $80,000 for work done substantially beyond the original scope of the project. This addition was included in the updated cost summary presented to council.
Anderson described the scope of the project, and told the council that the city had been working with the Kalispel Tribe, incentivizing them to contribute to the project.
“In exchange for their contribution, we would give them credit on future impact fee assessments.” Anderson said.
Anderson described how the tribe would substantially benefit from the completion of the project, citing improvements to traffic flow.
Lucas is a former Cheney Free Press managing editor. He is a nationally published author who contributes regularly to several publications across the country.
Reader Comments(0)