The poor economy and difficult environment for business has again proved to be a windfall for the City of Sammamish, with bids for the 244th Avenue Improvement project coming in at up to $3.5 million less than was budgeted.

When bids for the 800 foot long connection between Southeast 8th and Northeast 8th streets were closed at 2 p.m. on May 21, nine contractors had submitted estimates ranging from between $9.31 million to $12.47 million.

The engineer’s estimate for the project was $13.8 million.

In March of this year, a competitive bidding environment resulted in the city awarding a contract of $6.1 million for the construction of Phase 1A of the East Lake Sammamish Parkway, work that was expected to cost more than $8 million.

The 244th project will turn the existing road, which is disconnected between Northeast 4th Street and Northeast 3rd Way, into a minor arterial, a designation given to roads whose purpose is primarily to provide intra-community continuity, and interconnect and augment the principal arterial system.

The low bid of $9.3 million is currently held by Ceccanti Inc, a general contractor based south of Tacoma. The second low bid, of $9.9 million, is held by Mowat Construction Company. The highest bid is $12.47 million, offered by CA Carey Corporation.

Representatives of the Sammamish Police and Eastside Fire and Rescue spoke in the recent past about the urgency of a completed 244th to serve as a more direct access route to neighborhoods on the eastern side of the plateau.

The problem of 244th as it currently is has been on the city’s radar since 2002, and in 2003 an initial Draft Corridor Study was completed. Design and environmental documentation commenced in 2005, during which time a number of concerns were raised by residents as to the impact of the roadway on the western shores of Allen Lake and associated wetland.

The Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) prepared by Bellevue firm H.W. Lochner recognized that at least 25,000 square feet of wetland would suffer “direct permanent impacts” as a result of shading or the fill required to support the road.

The preferred design alternative presented by H.W. Lochner includes a bridge over a portion of the wetland, which it is hoped would “allow wildlife to cross under the roadway, and enough light would be present to allow some plants to grow.”

A number of residents in the area complained during the public submissions process that there quality of life would suffer as a result of increased noise, traffic volumes and pollution.

At a time when the finances of the city are under close scrutiny, city manager Ben Yazici was delighted by the lower than expected bids.

“We’ve been getting fantastic bid results,” he said this week. “This is one of our bigger projects, and to have it come in up to 35 percent under what we budgeted is fantastic. This will allow the council to proceed with much needed work.”

Yazici said he was not sure yet how the savings would be spent.

“Council has the legislative prerogative to decide if there are now other projects to be completed, but I haven’t heard of anything yet,” he said.

During a discussion about other city financial matters, council member Nancy Whitten said that the provision of sidewalks should be one of the city’s priorities if there was extra money available.

“There are so many needs, we will have to go back and have a look at the capital works list,” she said. “But for me, the big one is sidewalks. It is a huge quality of life issue, in terms of doing something about traffic.”

She said that providing walking routes for residents to connect with parks and open spaces was a key to good town planning in Sammamish.

She also said that the favorable bidding environment presented an opportunity for the city to save money.

“Maybe we could accelerate some projects, move them forward and do the work while the costs are down,” she said.

For more on the 244th project, and to read the EIS, go to www.ci.sammamish.wa.us/244thNE.