While the contract calls for what's termed "30 percent design," Engineer Eric Shjarback told the Council Tuesday night that, in fact, it will end up being closer to 50 percent of the design work. He said the city doesn't yet have full funding, but wants to push ahead with early design work so the city can qualify for federal funding for quick-to-build projects.
Construction probably wouldn't start this year since the city has not lined up enough funding to cover the approximate $1.1-million price tag. The city has about $625,000 in federal funds available, in addition to $15,000 from the state Transportation Department City Safety grant. The city is still looking for about a half-million dollars and that money could come from a source later in the year.
The project was up for discussion at City Council earlier this month when Shjarback showed what he called a conceptual drawing.
At Tuesday night's meeting, Shjarback assured the City Council that the city has been in discussions with major transporters of large equipment to make sure the roundabout could accommodate any large truck likely to transit the roundabout.