Argonne corridor project scaled back
Cost of construction more than amount of state grant
MILLWOOD – Millwood city leaders agreed to scale back the scope of the Argonne Corridor road reconstruction project on Tuesday after learning that the work will cost more than originally thought.
The project will now cost about $1.9 million – $600,000 more than the $1.3 million state grant the city got for the work, according to Matt Grillis, project manager for city consultant Welch Comer and Associates. Grillis told City Council members at a meeting Tuesday that rising construction costs account for the increase.
He presented council members preliminary budgets for four different options. He hopes to bid the project by early spring.
The original scope of work included a full-depth reconstruction from Frederick to South Riverway Avenue and a resurface from Buckeye to Frederick. The three controlled intersections, Grace, Euclid/Empire, Liberty, are scheduled to be improved with new curbing and pedestrian ramps.
The other options presented by Gillis included doing a resurfacing instead of a full-depth reconstruction, and using asphalt intersections instead of concrete.
A full-depth reconstruction uses 6 inches of asphalt over 24 inches of base rock. The estimated life span of reconstruction is 20 years, versus a maximum of seven years for a resurface.
Councilman Glenn Bailey suggested a fifth option – using the grant money for a full-depth replacement from Frederick to the Spokane River and resurface the remaining portion of road later when additional funding can be acquired.
“I like Glenn’s suggestion,” Councilman Kevin Freeman said. “We should put the money not toward a Band-Aid but get the worst part of the road reconstructed.”
The Council agreed to move forward with Bailey’s suggestion – reconstructing as much of the roadway as possible. With that decision, the council decided to use concrete on two intersections and asphalt on the Liberty intersection. The Council determined the Liberty intersection did not need concrete because of low truck traffic volume. According to Gillis, each concrete intersection costs $80,000 to $100,000.
Freeman also suggested adding a northbound left-turn lane onto Liberty into the design.
Remodel project awarded
In other city news, council awarded the Millwood City Hall remodel project to the interior design firm Design Works.
Four firms responded to the city’s request for bids in early August. Design Works submitted the lowest bid at $48,246. Mayor Dan Mork said after the meeting he hopes to start the project as soon as possible.
The design converts all the window treatments to sunscreen shades. Other updates include replacing all fluorescent lights with energy efficient fixtures, installing new carpet in the Council Chambers and offices, and refreshing the finish on all the wood paneling.
Mork announced the resignation of Councilman Doug Morton, who has moved and now lives outside of Millwood city limits. Mork plans to recommend a new candidate to fill the vacancy at the next meeting.