Bids for 80 Eighth Avenue overlay and ADA ramp work come in below engineer’s estimate; construction eyed for September

Acting City Utilities Engineer Mike Delila told the Edmonds City Council committee on July 15 that bids for a combined package—three coordinated projects focused on ADA pedestrian ramp upgrades and an overlay for 80 Eighth Avenue—arrived earlier that day. The engineer’s estimate for the combined work is about $1,810,000; Delila said seven bids were received and two were below the estimate.

The package covers ADA ramp work near the hospital district and along Olympic View Drive to prepare those segments for grant-funded overlays next year, and an overlay on 80 Eighth Avenue from 180 Fifth to 190 Fourth. Delila said the low bids under the estimate came from RRJ and Kamens Construction; staff is still vetting firms’ qualifications before award.

Delila said the city uses a pavement-evaluation program that collects condition data with a consultant’s vehicle to prioritize overlay projects. He noted that most ramp work will bring existing ramps into ADA compliance and address localized sidewalk defects rather than add new sidewalks. Delila told the committee the apparent favorable bid results mean staff does not expect to need additional funding to complete the work.

Construction is expected to begin in September and be completed by November, Delila said. Committee members asked that the bid backup and evaluation documentation be included in the packet before full-council consent and thanked staff for coordinating the site selection with the pavement program.

The committee recorded a consensus to forward the bid-award item to the full council on the consent agenda once packet materials are complete.