Tempe to approve $6M construction contract for bike, pedestrian improvements

By Caroline Yu
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Tempe City Council is scheduled to decide whether or not to award a $6.7 million contract to Low Mountain Construction Inc. at its Oct. 12 meeting for bike and pedestrian improvements along Country Club Way.

The full project was first identified for a Maricopa Association of Governments design assistance grant in 2016 and was awarded $82,500 to create a project assessment report and design concepts, according to the city’s project website.

In 2017, public meetings were held to gather feedback and to develop a cost estimate for the project. Additional federal grant funding was secured, and construction is expected to begin fall 2023.

The contract to be awarded at the Oct. 12 meeting will design and construct the first 3.5 miles of a seven-mile bike path from ASU Research Park at Warner Road to the U.S. Highway 60 pedestrian bridge, as explained by Engineering and Transportation Administrative Supervisor Julie Acedo in a city staff report.

Low Mountain Construction was chosen over AJP Electric Inc. as the lowest responsible bid for the project. AJP’s bid totaled $6,797,945.15.

“Funds to cover this contract and related costs are appropriated in fiscal year 2023/24,” Acedo wrote.

Along with the initial contract amount of $6,718,952.77, it includes a contingency amount of $671,895 to cover the project’s costs.

Improvements to come include paving, signing and pavement markings, irrigation, shade structures, increased ADA access, drinking fountains, an adjacent equestrian path between Warner and Elliot roads and a pedestrian-activated traffic signal at Warner Road.

“The project will provide bike and pedestrian improvements including public art, landscaping, raised medians, enhanced sidewalks, lighting, rest nodes and a shared‐use path,” Acedo stated.

Once completed, the city expects that the additional pedestrian features will reduce pedestrian and vehicular conflicts and expand access to employment, education and retail for bikers and pedestrians.

Reporter Caroline Yu can be reached at cyu@iniusa.org. To voice your opinion on this story, connect with us at AzOpinions@iniusa.org.

Caroline Yu
Reporter | Tempe

cyu@iniusa.org

Meet Caroline
Caroline Yu joined Independent Newsmedia, Inc., USA, in 2020 as a summer intern covering Scottsdale. As an intern, she continued her coverage of Scottsdale, Paradise Valley and Tempe. After graduating in 2022, Caroline became a full-time reporter for Scottsdale and Paradise Valley. She is currently reporting for the Tempe market.  

Community:  She is a supporter of the environment and tries to get involved with related community events. 

Education: Arizona State University with a BA in Journalism and Mass Communications, with a minor in French. 

Random Fact: She used to be a ballet dancer for 10 years. 

Hobbies: Hiking, painting and crocheting.