Sun Valley awards $3.24 million contract for Elkhorn intersection; council approves bike lane

The Sun Valley City Council on April 26 awarded a contract to Idaho Materials & Construction for the Sun Valley City Hall Intersection and Year 4 Roadway and Pathway Improvements for $3,240,050, with the Elkhorn bike lane included. The award was moved by Council President Michelle Griffith and seconded by Council Member Keith Saks; the roll call recorded AYES from Griffith, Jane Conard, Keith Saks and Brad DuFur and no recorded NAYS.

City Engineer Roberts told the council that only one bid was received and presented two cost options: $2,945,500 if the Elkhorn bike lane is included and $2,544,000 without the bike lane. Roberts said, "We feel like it's a good bid and we have 2 options." Whitesell clarified the bike lane "is within the City's right-of-way." Council President Griffith said the bike lane was "a big amount" but that it would "add value to the community" and show the city is "ahead-of-the-curve." Council Member Jane Conard said more bicycle education is needed but that she would support proceeding "even though it is $400,000," and Council Member Brad DuFur argued that "we are going to have more and more bikes in our valley and E-bikes are catching on. This is the time to do it." The mayor raised a safety concern about cyclists descending Prospector Hill into traffic.

The motion approved the contract award at $3,240,050 with the bike path included. The transcript shows both the $2,945,500 and $2,544,000 option figures were discussed; the awarded contract total as recorded in the motion and vote was $3,240,050. The council did not record amendments to the award in the minutes.