STURGIS—The Sturgis city council approved the professional services agreement with Avid 4 Engineering relative to the upcoming Lazelle Street project at its meeting October 19th.
Public Works Director Rick Bush laid it all out.
“This is for phase one of the Lazelle Street utilities reconstruction project. As you’re aware the South Dakota Department of Transportation is moving ahead with the project from 10th Street to Junction Avenue,” he said.
This major transportation improvement project will address aging roadway infrastructure, traffic capacity, pedestrian accessibility, and other improvements along this important corridor.The overall reconstruction is anticipated to occur in three phases, with the first phase extending from approximately 12th Street to Junction Avenue. Construction is currently anticipated to begin in 2030.
Why is he bringing this up now?
“As part of the roadway reconstruction and proposed widening of the right-of-way, several existing City-owned utiliies (primarily Water) may conflict with the proposed improvements. These conflicts will require utility adjustments, relocations, or reconstruction to accommodate the new roadway configuration,” said Bush.
The City will be responsible for developing a separate utility reconstruction plan set that will accompany and be coordinated with SDDOT’s roadway construction plans. This will allow the necessary utility improvements to be incorporated into the overall project and coordinated with SDDOT’s construction schedule.
The purpose of this agreement is to identify those conflicts early and ensure our utility improvements are included in the DOT’s final construction plans.
Avid4 Engineering has submitted a proposal to provide the necessary engineering and design services and their work will entail reviewing existing utilities, conducting additional surveys if needed, identifying the conflicts and developing construction-ready plans.
Avid4 will also consult with the DOT on the project since they’re a consultant for the department as well.
The proposal will not exceed $64,690.00. Billing will be monthly and funds will come from the utilities fund and the capital improvements fund.
The plan will do its best to minimize water interruptions during construction.
The agreement covers engineering and design services and actual utilities relocation.
Preliminary plans are estimated to be done by May 2028 and final construction plans are scheduled to be ready by January 2029. Construction should begin in spring 2030.
“This is an important first step in preparing for the Lazelle Street reconstruction project. While construction is still several years away the engineering and coordination need to happen now,” said Bush.
He reiterated this only to plan and coordinate with the DOT project.
Ward 3 councilors Mark Chaplin and Jim Thompson made the motions to approve and second it. The motion passed unanimously.
