PORT TOWNSEND — The project to complete the 8-mile Larry Scott Memorial Trail link from Port Townsend’s waterfront to Four Corners Road has taken a big step forward with the opening of bids to complete a 1.3-mile segment in the Four Corners area.
This completes the trail, which leads from Port Townsend’s Boat Haven and ends at the Discovery Bay Golf Course.
The Scott trail is envisioned as part of the Olympic Discovery Trail, which would eventually connect Port Townsend with LaPush on the West End.
Four bids were received and opened during the Jefferson County commissioners’ weekly meeting Monday for the project located where Milo Curry Road intersects South Discovery Road.
The four bids were Seton Construction, $144,931; Nordland Construction $184,710; Primo Construction, $188,881; and Shold Excavating, $207,178.
All of the bids undercut the $215,314 engineer’s estimate for the project.
County engineering supervisor Jon Watson said the project will be awarded to the company that follows all the contract specifications for the lowest cost.
The bid evaluation process will take about two weeks. Watson said.
He hopes the project will begin in September and take about 40 working days, Watson said.
Watson said the trail will be closed during the construction period.
The project includes clearing brush, cleaning the path and repairing culverts as well as resurfacing the trail with an all-weather aggregate.
Watson said the four-bidder response was “about average for a project like this.”
The trail begins at the Boat Haven, heading along the waterfront until the mill when it cuts west to state Highway 20.
It travels south parallel to the highway, then heads directly west again before turning south.
The trail is more versatile than other hiking areas due to its hard surface that is suitable for bicyclists, equestrians and hikers.
The county hopes to extend the trail to meet with the Olympic Discovery Trail, but it is not in the current transportation plan, Watson said.
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Jefferson County Reporter Charlie Bermant can be reached at 360-385-2335 or at charlie.bermant@peninsuladailynews.com.
