Tumwater to place Israel Road pedestrian and bike improvements on consent calendar after completion

City Construction Manager Toby Fletcher presented the Israel Road Pedestrian and Bicycle Improvements project to the Public Works Committee on Feb. 19, describing the work as a combination of ADA sidewalk reconstruction, pedestrian-crossing upgrades and bicycle-facility improvements.

Fletcher said the project delivered roughly 3,500 linear feet of reconstructed sidewalks, 30 reconstructed curb ramps to meet ADA grading and detectable-domes requirements, 16 improved pedestrian crossings and enhanced the crossing near Newmarket Street with a rapid rectangular flashing beacon (RRFB). The project also included a road diet with 6-foot bike lanes, 29,000 square feet of repaving and spot stormwater drainage repairs.

Fletcher reported federal funding participation of about $903,000. He gave an engineering cost estimate of $1,832,000 and said the low bid was $1,963,000; the final contract total was reported by staff at about $2.4 million (the presenter’s verbal phrasing included an unclear extra figure). He said the project reached physical completion after a plan-establishment period and that construction required seven nights of night paving and close coordination with the school district, police and fire.

"Overall, this project was a huge success as well," Fletcher told the committee, noting significant outreach to neighbors and efforts to prioritize sidewalk work near the school when classes resumed.

The committee voted to place final acceptance on the March 3 council consent calendar with a recommendation that the mayor accept the project as complete and authorize the release of the performance bond when state law allows.