Council tables Fourth East road rehabilitation after revised estimates, cites student safety and scope concerns

Preston City Council heard an extensive staff briefing on the Fourth East rehabilitation project and agreed to table final action until the full council can review the latest proposal.

Public Works and engineering input showed widely different cost estimates. The project was budgeted at roughly $1.0–$1.12 million but an early engineering opinion had been as high as $3.5 million; a revised construction opinion provided just before the meeting put the cost in the $1.1–$1.4 million range. Councilmembers and staff discussed scope reductions — including replacing swales with pipe in some areas — and traffic-flow improvements intended to create a dedicated turning lane to ease school drop-off congestion.

Councilmember Terry Larson said geotechnical testing showed poor subsurface conditions that require removing and rebuilding the base in substantial sections rather than a simple overlay, which raises costs. The council acknowledged it had options: use additional budget or reserves, carry some work into next fiscal year, or pare scope. The council also noted an available $100,000 LTAC grant to offset the cost.

Given the cost uncertainty and need for full council input on scope and funding, the council voted to table the project and asked staff to return with a clear scope, cost breakdown and funding options. If the council moves forward, it will schedule a public hearing and formal vote on the project specifics.