The Clearwater Township Board Monday agreed to move ahead with the first stage of a potential $600,000 road project on 150th Street NW.
The project is the reconstruction of approximately 9,100 feet of roadway beginning at Grover Ave. and heading east, with a quarter mile within the township and the remainder a shared road with Silver Creek Twp.
The board voted to approve a proposal with engineering firm Hakanson Anderson to do preliminary work and draw up plans for the project at a cost of $42,000.
Since the project is a cost-share with Silver Creek Twp., their approval was also necessary. Mike Ludenia, Clearwater maintenance supervisor and the chair of the Silver Creek Board, said they had approved it contingent on Clearwater’s approval.
The contract includes topographic survey services at $6,800; preparation of plans and specifications at $18,500; preparing and submitting a bid package at $1,200; permit applications at $1,000; wetland delineation and permitting at $6,500 and acquiring easements and right-of-way at $8,000.
The contract also provides options for soil boring, phase inspections and construction staking at an additional cost.
The board agreed soil boring didn’t need to be added to the contract, nor inspection services. They felt staking of the perimeter may be necessary.
Ludenia said even with the completed plans and specifications, it would likely take until 2020 before any dirt was moved because of wetland and other permits.
The board felt that was acceptable because it would give each township the opportunity to build up its road budget to pay for the project.
In a letter to the township, Shane Nelson of Hakanson Anderson said it was likely the two townships would have to enter into a joint powers agreement, with one township taking the position as lead agency.
The board agreed it would be prudent to hold a joint meeting with Silver Creek to work out the details.
2017-2018 Projects
The board also discussed other road projects for 2017-2018. The list of six projects, along with estimated costs, was prepared by Supervisor Bill Langenbacher to help the township plan ahead.
Three projects on the list had already been approved by the board: engineering for 150th Street from Grover Ave. east to the Hasty Truck Stop ($25,000); chip sealing in Ray’s Addition ($50,000) and seal coating 162nd and Eldridge Ave. ($7,275).
The board was still debating whether to approve in slope filling at Huber Ave. and 150th Street ($19,000); chip sealing 160th Street, Fillmore Ave. and Evans Ave. ($160,000) and ditch work and chip seal on Elder Ave. ($21,500).
Supervisor Scott Miller said he was concerned about drawing down the township’s fund balance by deciding to do all the projects too soon.
He suggested taking a step back and looking at the timeline before approving all the projects.
After further discussion, the board agreed to move ahead with the Huber Ave. project, but wait at least until next meeting to decide on the other two projects. By then, they may have more specific numbers and input from Silver Creek Twp. about the shared project on Elder Ave.
