Thursday, May 2, 2024

Funding moves Lakeside Trail from priority toward reality

Posted

CHELAN—City residents and visitors will soon see a new addition along a portion of SR 97 south of Lake Chelan, thanks to a recent grant from the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT).

At the city council workshop on Tuesday, April 2, the city public works team announced that it received $3 million in grant funding last year from WSDOT’s Pedestrian and Bicycle Program to complete the Lakeside Trail from Water Street to West Woodin Avenue in downtown Chelan. 

The state Transportation Improvement Board (TIB) is providing an additional $500,000 and the city is kicking in $252,500 to bring the total funding package to $3,725,500.

“We’re sitting very favorable from an advance funding perspective to be able to execute a project that has long been a priority of the city,” said SCJ Alliance Project Manager Dan Ireland.

The SCJ team previewed the trail project PowerPoint for workshop feedback. 

“We’re in the infancy stage of this project,” said Ireland “It’s already being used, just in an informal way and we are going to make it more adaptable to all people, all users, and all abilities.”

Ireland noted that in addition to funding, WSDOT would also participate.

“DOT’s going to be very much involved in the process because it’s their right-of-way,” Ireland said. “It’s going to be a pretty heavily used trail.”

Project Engineer Caitlin Mehall introduced the various design renderings for buffer strips and other features.

“We’re looking at two different styles of roadway,” said Mehall, contrasting the more residential with the commercial areas.

The projected development timeline is:

  • 30 percent design development by April 1.
  • 60 percent design development by June 1.
  • 90 percent design development by August 1.
  • Community outreach – Environmental by Sept. 1.
  • Final contract plans by Oct. 1
  • Right-of-way finalized by Oct. 1.
  • Out for bid October-November.
  • Contract award December 2024-January 2025.
  • Construction completed by June 2025.

Mike Maltais: 360-333-8483 or michael@ward.media

Comments

No comments on this item Please log in to comment by clicking here