Post Falls awards Seltice Way reconstruction and utility contract, including pipeline work

The Post Falls City Council approved contract awards on April 21 for a major Seltice Way reconstruction that combines a full roadway rebuild with extensive wastewater pipeline work.

Public works staff described the project as a full‑depth reconstruction from subgrade to new pavement, intended as a 20‑year design that also installs six different pipelines (including a force main to accommodate future flows). Staff presented memoranda of understanding with the City of Rathdrum and East Green Acres Irrigation District (EGID) to define cost shares and roles; Rathdrum’s proportional share of construction was described as roughly 16 percent, and EGID’s protection and relocation work is estimated under $200,000 and will be reimbursed by the city per the agreement.

Bids opened March 24 produced a low responsive bid from MDM Construction Group at just under $5.0 million. Council approved the construction contract with a 10 percent contingency and a construction‑management services amendment; the total council authorization for the construction award and CMS amendment was roughly $6.78 million on the evening’s motion. Staff said the overall project estimate is approximately $7.9 million, with utilities bearing about 56 percent of the cost, streets about 28 percent, and Rathdrum about 16 percent.

Construction will be phased into four stages to maintain traffic during work; intersections will be closed for certain phases with posted detours and one intersection allowed closed at a time. Staff said they expect the contractor to work through a construction season stretching into the following year and that public outreach will be ongoing about closures and detours.

What happens next: Staff will execute the contract, coordinate construction phasing, publish detour plans and continue outreach; Rathdrum and EGID will reimburse agreed shares per their MOUs.