DECEMBER 19, 2024 |
Photo – Pedestrian tunnel in Cheyenne – Courtesy City of Rawlins
The Rawlins city council agreed to continue work on the Higley Boulevard pedestrian underpass despite the higher cost to the town.
At the December 3rd Rawlins city council meeting, the governing body voted to delay signing an agreement with the Wyoming Department of Transportation to increase the cost of the construction of the North Higley Boulevard pedestrian underpass. The council had questions about water drainage and the city’s financial responsibility.
During a special work session before Tuesday’s regular council meeting, Rawlins officials met with WYDOT Regional Engineer Jake Lonn to discuss the design of the proposed walking tunnel. Once built, the underpass will provide residents on the east side of the city with a safer route to access nearby schools and walking trails without crossing the busy highway.
Rawlins Public Works Director Cody Dill began the presentation by providing the governing body with a history of the project. Dill explained that roughly two decades ago, WYDOT determined that a pedestrian underpass was the only viable way to safely cross Higley Boulevard.
Dill said the pedestrian underpass plan stalled until 2017, when the Urban Systems Committee decided to undertake the project. In September of 2021, the Rawlins city council unanimously voted to partner with WYDOT to pay for the walking tunnel. At the time, WYDOT estimated the underpass would cost roughly $1.6 million. The city was expected to contribute 9.51%, or approximately $158,000, toward the project.
Since 2021, inflation has nearly doubled the cost of the project, with a new total closer to $2.8 million. Dill explained that both WYDOT and the Urban Systems Committee have agreed to commit more money toward the pedestrian underpass.
The increased estimate means the city’s portion of the project costs have also increased, from $158,000 to $298,000.
The proposed tunnel will be 12 feet wide, nine feet tall, and 125 feet long.
WYDOT Regional Engineer Jake Lonn explained that instead of retaining walls, the area around the tunnel will slope down to meet the underground walkway. Lonn said the walls create drifting problems and add to the cost of the project.
The city council expressed concern that storm water from the pedestrian underpass will be directed east toward Inverness Boulevard, an area known for its poor drainage. Lonn said the project will tie into existing drainpipes to direct water away from the east side of the city.
Storm water is not the only drainage concern. A recent geology study revealed that the area’s high ground water will cause flooding in the pedestrian tunnel unless proper drains are installed. Lonn explained that the proposed drain system will keep the tunnel free of water.
Additionally, Lonn said the drain will lower the local water table by up to two feet within the first year.
The council also asked who will be responsible for the upkeep of the pedestrian underpass, the city or WYDOT. City Attorney Pinita Maberry-Nave said the agreement clearly states that the city is required to maintain all aspects of the tunnel.
The final cost of the project is unknown. While he doesn’t expect the price to change, WYDOT Engineer Lonn said the exact cost won’t be known until contractors bid on the project. At that time, the city’s contribution may change.
The governing body will need to sign off on the final bid price. If the cost is significantly higher than expected, the city has three options. It could agree to contribute more toward the project, request a new round of contractor bids, or cancel the project all together.
However, if the city chooses to end its partnership with WYDOT, it will be responsible for reimbursing the state agency for all design work done on the project so far, which is estimated to be between $400,000 and $500,000.
In the end, the Rawlins city council unanimously voted to continue the project. WYDOT is expected to begin requesting contractor bids in February.
