The city recently awarded a contract to Hunewill Construction for $550,000 for its Melarkey Street/Winnemucca Boulevard intersection project and it is getting most of what was in the original design within budget.
City Manager/Engineer Steve West said that's largely thanks to the generosity of Loren Hunewill, who worked with the city to value engineer and get the project at the target cost.
Construction is expected to start in the next 30-60 days and take about two months.
The project is a joint one between the city, county and Winnemucca Convention and Visitors Authority (WCVA). At a meeting last July, each entity agreed to contribute $157,333 toward the project which will make one of the main entrances to Winnemucca more attractive.
Since that time, the project cost has gone up partly because of the high standards of the architecture firm hired to do the drawings (CTA Architects). West said the firm is used to doing elaborate designs in big cities. The cost for each entity is now just over $183,000.
"Originally it was more simple," West said at a recent council meeting.
Hunewill's original bid (the lowest the received) was for $740,000. Since that time, West has worked with Hunewill to bring the cost within budget by eliminating some of the original design features.
One of those features is decorative bollards on each of the four corners and benches. Another design element that was eliminated is thermal impression crosswalks that were intended to mimic pavers.
The city also discussed changing the finish of the two lighted walls on the south corners of the intersection from stone with a veneer to stucco and eliminating the relocation of an unsightly electrical box on the southeast corner of the intersection.
Surprisingly, the city was able to work the relocation back into the project design within budget. Instead of thermal impression crosswalks, the crosswalks will be re-painted. The city is still getting a significant overhaul of the intersection, though. With the relocated and re-painted crosswalks, paved corners, lighted walls, landscaping and relocated electrical box, the community can expect an intersection that more accurately represents the standards of the city, county and WCVA.
According to West, the community has been talking about the lackluster appearance of the intersection for nearly 20 years. All three entities agreed that is was time to do something about the intersection, which serves as a main entrance to the community, even though the cost has gone up since the original discussion on the project.
In regard to traffic and pedestrian safety and access, the contractor is required to submit a traffic safety plan for the Nevada Department of Transportation. West said construction will occur one corner at a time. There will be minor pedestrian and traffic detours at some points during the process.
Contact Jessica Powell at j.powell@winnemuccapublishing.net.[[In-content Ad]]
