Completed Sullivan Bridge costs $300,000 over estimate

From the perspective of drivers, the Sullivan Bridge Replacement Project has been completed and the bridge is open for vehicle traffic in both directions.

The $15 million project hit a few snags on the way, including the unexpected relocation of the part of the Centennial Trail that passes under the bridge, because the remodeled bridge didn’t allow for the full 10 feet of clearing required.

City of Spokane Valley spokeswoman CarolBelle Branch said the estimated cost of the project was $15.6 million, but it came in at $15.9 million.

Branch said the city’s public works staff is preparing a presentation to the City Council on Jan. 17 explaining exactly how the difference was accrued and how it will be covered.

“Part of the cost increase was the trail realignment,” Branch said, “but there are more moving parts to it than that.”

It was a buried AT&T cable that runs beneath the trail that made it cost prohibitive to dig a deeper trail bed. That’s why the trail had to be moved closer to the river to ensure enough overhead clearance.

A $500,000 contingency was built into the budget for the project to cover unexpected costs like this. The consultant on the bridge project took some responsibility for the design mistake and is expected to cover part of the added cost.

“The bridge is now fully functional,” Branch said, “but not the whole project is done. We still need to finish some landscaping and irrigation.”

Some sidewalk restoration needs to be completed, too.

The remodeled bridge features three river overlook platforms, and a new set of stairs that allows for access from the park on the north side of the river to the river’s edge.

“There was only informal access there before,” Branch said.

The Spokane River was closed below the bridge during part of the construction project but it is now open.