Construction on South Parkway will be delayed until 2017

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BATTLE GROUND – Construction of Battle Ground’s South Parkway Improvement Project will now take place in 2017.  

The city had originally projected construction would begin this summer, assuming the normal 45-day timeline for receiving the required permits from the US Army Corps of Engineers. The Corps, however, has not had the opportunity to fully review the permit applications.  

City engineers, who remain in contact with the Corps, have been advised that the permit applications have been routed to the Seattle office due to a staffing shortage in the Corps’ local Vancouver office.  

“In normal circumstances, the Corps would have completed their review, we would have had the permit in hand, and gone to bid by now,” City Public Works Director Scott Sawyer said. “With the unforeseen delay, we have had to reevaluate our timeline and consider the costs and effects associated with that delay.” 

City staff presented three alternatives in moving forward with the project at last week’s City Council meeting, which included:  

1) Maintain the project in its current form, from Eaton to Main Street, and once Corps permits are issued, proceed with the bidding process and construction. 

 2) Divide the project into two distinct projects and bids/contracts. (The northern section from Rasmussen to Main Street does not rely on Corps permits). Immediately proceed with bid and construction on the northern section, and once Corps permits are issued, proceed with the bidding process and construction of the southern section from Eaton and Rasmussen. 

3) Maintain the project in its current form, from Eaton to Main Street, and once the Corps permits have been issued, prepare bid documents. Delay the bidding of the project until spring of 2017.

Staff provided analysis of the three alternatives. Going to bid in the midst of the summer construction season, when contractors are already working can be costly, said Sawyer, the demand is high and the availability of contractors is low. A bid process just after the summer season could generate more attractive bids, but fall and winter weather conditions are not favorable to the bottom line of a major road project or to the neighbors who travel the roadway.    Dividing the project adds extra costs and could create inconsistency in the final pavement and lift between the sections.  

Staff recommended, and council concurred, that Alternative 3, waiting until 2017, was the most responsible decision.  



“It is certainly disappointing”, Mayor Philip Johnson said. “But we must be good stewards of the people’s money and City Council is confident that we are doing just that by going to bid and construction in 2017.”

The $5.6 million South Parkway Improvement project is fully funded with the majority of funding from the Washington State Transportation Improvement Board grants totaling $4.3 million:

• Washington State Transportation Improvement Board Grants:  $4,305,216

• Battle Ground Traffic Impact Fees: $695,000

• Battle Ground Water Fund: $498,350

• Battle Ground Sewer Fund: $41,000

• Battle Ground Transportation Benefit District (TBD): $65,000

For more information about the South Parkway Improvement Project, visit the city’s website at www.cityofbg.org/S-Parkway or contact the city of Battle Ground at (360) 342-5075.