Lacey City Council approved a $1.3 million construction contract Tuesday for extensive sidewalk repairs and street tree planting across multiple neighbourhoods, representing nearly double the city’s typical annual infrastructure investment.
The project, awarded to R.W. Scott Construction Co. of Auburn from among 13 bidders, will begin in October and span 160 working days according to Public Works Director Scott Egger. The comprehensive effort includes installing 45,000 square feet of new pavements and driveways, constructing 10 Americans with Disabilities Act-compliant curb ramps, and planting 250 street trees.
The expanded scope reflects a catch-up effort following last year’s construction scheduling constraints. Lacey completed approximately 23,000 square feet of pavement repairs in 2023, making this year’s project nearly twice the standard annual allocation.
Construction crews will focus on six primary areas throughout the city. Work includes the northeast Lacey area near Marvin Road Northeast and Willamette Drive, and a section bordered by Sleater Kinney Road Southeast and Carpenter Road north of 22nd Avenue Southeast.
Additional locations encompass the area between Wonderwood Park and Yelm Highway, the region between the southern ends of Hicks Lake and Long Lake, and the zone between Pattison Lake and Ruddell Road. Final improvements will target Ruddell Road south of Yelm Highway.
Mayor Andy Ryder emphasised the project’s accessibility benefits before the contract approval. “This is how people get around, especially those who use wheelchairs,” he stated. “They need our sidewalks to be functional.”
The mayor highlighted the broader community impact beyond basic infrastructure maintenance. “This is a quality of life issue for a large segment of our population, and so I’m really proud of the work we are doing in this area because it changes the quality of life and safety for a lot of our residents.”
The ADA-compliant curb ramps represent a significant component of the accessibility improvements, ensuring that individuals using wheelchairs, mobility aids, or other assistive devices can navigate neighbourhood streets safely and independently.
Street tree planting accompanies the pavement work, contributing to urban canopy goals whilst providing environmental benefits including stormwater management, air quality improvement, and temperature regulation in residential areas.
The 160-day timeline suggests work will extend into early 2025, potentially affecting traffic patterns and pedestrian access in targeted neighbourhoods during construction phases. Residents can expect temporary disruptions as crews install new infrastructure and landscaping elements.
The project reflects Lacey’s ongoing commitment to maintaining and upgrading municipal infrastructure to meet current accessibility standards whilst addressing deferred maintenance needs that accumulated during previous budget cycles.
