Borst Avenue Overhaul on Track for June Start

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A massive overhaul of Borst Avenue is on track to take place this summer, according to an update provided by Centralia Public Works Director Kim Ashmore on Tuesday during a city council meeting.

Ashmore told the council the project is nearly through the design phase, with a few outstanding comments set to be resolved in the coming weeks by the city, Lewis County and local engineering firm SCJ Alliance. The city also needs to finish obtaining temporary easements from property owners along the heavily-trafficked road between Centralia Middle School and Centralia High School before demolition work can begin.

Plans presented to community members last fall convey the removal of the two existing traffic lanes in favor of new ones slightly to the south, making room for a pedestrian walkway and vegetation-heavy drainage system on the opposite side. 

The redesign is largely the result of safety concerns raised by students of both schools who walk the road multiple times a day as well as the need to prevent rainwater from pooling on the pavement. Lighting and curbing upgrades will also be installed while the road is being rebuilt.



“The goal is to hopefully get it out to bid on April 9 and have it open for about three weeks,” Ashmore said. “The process after that is going through the bids, making sure the numbers are right and then make an award. Hopefully sometime in early or mid-June when school is out … I think if we get the contractor selected by June 1, hopefully construction will start on time and we can start tearing up the road when school is out.”

Peter Abbarno asked if it would be too close to summer construction season to get bids that fit both the expected price range and timeframe — plans call for the road to be reopened in time for the start of the 2019-2020 school year.

Ashmore responded that the stakeholders are confident they will get quality bids, because contractors have long been aware of the project and some may have kept spots open on their summer ledger in order to compete for the contract.