2024 Water System Improvement
Project Status
To help keep area residents informed of our construction progress, we will post project updates to this site on a regular basis. Click here to see status updates.
Project Details/Neighborhood
- 84th Ave SE from SE 46th St to SE 47th Pl, including SE 47th Pl
- 86th Ave SE from SE 46th St to the 4700 Block of 86th Ave SE
- SE 47th St from 84th Ave SE to Island Crest Way
- SE 46th St from 84th Ave SE to Island Crest Way
- SE 42nd East to West mercer Way
- Stub outs at 77th AVE and 78th Ave SE at SE 27th St.
Background
Providing safe and reliable drinking water for the community is a top priority for the City of Mercer Island and the Public Works Department. The 2022 Water System Plan Update establishes the following goals:
- Preserve public health and safety,
- Maintain adequate water volume for firefighting,
- Maintain adequate water volume for basic sanitation and
- Maintain consumptive value and water quality.
The City’s water distribution system includes more than 113 miles of water mains of varying age, size, material, and condition. Most of the system is composed of cast iron and ductile iron pipe. Some of the older cast iron piping is brittle, undersized, and known for developing leaks and breaks as it nears the latter part of its expected life. Cast iron pipe in the Mercer Island water system was primarily installed in the late 1950s and early 1960s, making it some of the oldest piping within the distribution system
Description
The 2024 Water System Improvement project is part of our yearly water system improvement program to replace under-sized and aging cast iron water mains. We expect to replace over 6,000 LF of cast iron water mains. Along with water main replacement, this work includes two stub-outs for future connections in the Town Center, and storm drainage improvements within the neighborhood between SE 46th and SE 47thStreet west of Island Crest Way. The streets in this neighborhood will be repaved in 2025 as part of the City's residential street resurfacing program. This work also encompasses water main replacement along SE 42nd Street near the shoreline of Lake Washington, which requires additional permitting, some possible slope restoration and drainage improvements, as well as easement acquisitions.
Project Timeline
Planning/Design Q4 2023 to Q4 2024
Construction Timeline Q1 2025 to Q4 2025
Estimated Budget
$2.455 M
Contact
George Fletcher, Senior Project Manager. george.fletcher@mercerisland.gov
https://www.mercerisland.gov/WU0131
Status Updates
October 2024
This project is scheduled to receive 100% plans and specs in mid-October with bid advertisement planned for early November. Work includes replacing aging and undersized water mains in the 4600 and 4700 blocks of 84th and 86th Avenues. Construction of this project is planned to begin in February 2025.
September 2024
Recently the project team met with Atwell (design consultant) and provided comments on the 90% plans and specifications. Currently, staff plan to advertise this project for construction bids at the end of October 2024, with a contract award planned for January 2025.
August 2024
The City has received and is currently reviewing the 90 percent design plans and specifications for the project. Additionally, efforts are underway to coordinate with residents along Holly Lane to acquire the necessary easements for the installation of new water mains in the neighborhood.
July 2024
The City's engineering consultant is actively developing 90 percent design drawings and specifications for this project. Currently, the consultant is conducting potholing to confirm utility locations and assessing potential easement acquisition needs. The project is on track for the design phase to be completed by the end of 2024, with construction expected to begin in early 2025.
January 2024
Staff have received the preliminary design work on this project and are providing comments back to the consultant, Atwell Group. Project is on schedule to advertise for construction bids in late spring of 2024.
December 2023
The Atwell Group is currently designing this project. Survey for the design of this project is completed and Atwell is working towards developing preliminary plans and water main alignment to submit to the City in January 2024.
Planning/Design
Atwell Group is under contract to perform the design. Survey will begin in early November 2023 at all project locations.