Friday, September 5, 2025 |
Photo – Edinburgh Project Update – Courtesy City of Rawlins
The City of Rawlins is preparing to begin work on Edinburgh Street.
In 2019, Rawlins’ residents approved the use of 6th Penny Tax funds to reconstruct Edinburgh Street between Dunphail and Murray, including upgrades to underground utilities and storm sewers. Two years later, in 2021, the Edinburgh Street repairs were projected to cost $2.3 million. However, due to inflation, the current estimated price has increased by roughly 365%.
Speaking at the May 21st, 2024, Rawlins City Council meeting, City Manager Tom Sarvey explained that the 6th Penny Tax fund contained less than half of the money needed to complete the project.
Concerned that the rate of inflation may put the project permanently out of reach before enough 6th Penny Tax funding was received, the governing body voted to move $1.3 million from the city’s reserve account to the streets department. Additionally, the city set aside $1 million of unallocated impact assistance money from the Chokecherry wind energy project to the Edinburgh repairs.
With design work now complete, Rawlins opened contractor bidding for Edinburgh Street on June 26th, with submissions due by September 9th.
During the September 2nd Rawlins City Council meeting, Attorney Pinita Maberry-Nave explained that once the bids are opened, she will ensure all required contracts are in place prior to the start of construction.
Councilman Derek Elliott expressed concern that Edinburgh wouldn’t be finished by the end of the year and asked when construction will begin. Public Works Director Cody Dill said contractors plan to work through the winter and complete the project by next summer.
Councilman Elliot said he believed that the Edinburgh Street project would be completed by the end of this year, making it possible to begin repairs on Washington Street next summer. Public Works Director Dill said while Washington Street is another 6th Penny Tax initiative, the city isn’t prepared to start work on the project. Dill offered to prioritize the repairs at the council’s discretion.
Contractor bids for the Edinburgh Street project are scheduled to be opened at 2:30 p.m. on Tuesday, September 9th.
