City engineering staff provided the Lacey City Council with a comprehensive construction update on Oct. 28, outlining recently finished projects, major active work and near‑term construction anticipated through spring 2026.

“Recently completed” items listed by Engineering Construction Manager Deandra Buchanan included the Terry Cargo Reservoir, new EV charging stations (Type 3 at City Hall and community center; Type 2 at City Hall, the library and North Thurston School District admin building), Marvin Road utility relocations, a manhole rehabilitation project, Eighth Avenue rehabilitation and a Woodland Creek bridge replacement that opened Oct. 22.

Buchanan described the Woodland Creek bridge replacement as a modular assembly that replaced 1980s‑era footings and added pedestrian safety rails and lighting; the rebuilt bridge retains restricted vehicle access for maintenance and emergency vehicles only.

Active work and near‑term highlights included:
- College Street NE extension: full‑depth pavement, bike lanes on both sides through portions of the project, new retaining walls, water and sewer stubs; contractor allowed temporary road closures and the contractor has completion target into mid‑summer 2025 contingent on favorable paving windows.
- Greg Cuio Park: new 82‑stall parking lot, ADA playground, shelter and an 18‑hole disc golf course; grand opening anticipated spring 2025 as final grading and plantings remain.
- Lift‑station replacements and upgrades (Lift Station 3 and Lift Station 11): wet wells, new pumps, odor control and electrical upgrades; timelines extend into 2027–2028 because of long‑lead mechanical equipment.
- Woodland Creek and other utility main projects: large diameter water main installations and night work on state highways subject to WSDOT restrictions.
- Sidewalk repair program (2025): replacement of roughly 45,000 sq. ft. of lifted sidewalk panels due to root uplift; 270 trees will be removed and replaced with new plantings and root‑barrier systems; contract window through May 2026.
- Bush Park playground replacement (5–12 age range): RCO grant matched to a $440,000 project budget with poured‑in‑place rubber surfacing and expected construction start January 2025 with completion by summer 2025.

Design Manager Ashley Smith updated the council on the police station site: exterior paving is complete, permanent power is in place, furniture deliveries are underway and interior finishes (exposed CLT panels, polished concrete floors, training/community room) are progressing. She noted the reuse of Douglas fir from the prior police station for interior finishes.

Buchanan told council that several projects face suspension or schedule delays because of material lead times (pumps, generators, lighting poles) and weather‑dependent paving windows. For projects with long lead items, staff expect schedules to stretch into 2027 in some cases.

Staff answered council questions about tree selection and the sidewalk repair program, explaining the city’s street‑tree guidelines, use of certified arborists for species selection, limits of root barriers and ADA constraints that rule out some suggested surfacing alternatives. Staff said the city is updating tree selection guidance and coordinating on planting widths and soil type to minimize future sidewalk uplift.

Ending: Councilmembers asked staff to return with more detailed phasing and funding information for larger capital items; staff said they will include updated project schedules and contingency planning in future reports.