PORT ANGELES – The lowest of three bids for removing up to 200 trees from the western section of Lincoln Park was less than half the estimated amount.
The Port of Port Angeles opened the bids on Tuesday.
Low bidder A&N Logging of Joyce is ready to go to work on the approximately two-week project once the contract is finalized, said Jeff Robb, manager of William R. Fairchild International Airport.
A&N Logging’s low bid was $46,050.
The other bidders were Jordan Excavating of Port Angeles for $69,100 and Hermann Bros. of Port Angeles for $96,751.
No official engineer’s estimate was given, but the project previously had been estimated to cost up to $100,000.
The port’s three-person board of commissioners has granted Port Executive Director Bob McChesney authority to award the contract, up to $100,000.
The port staff will report back to the commissioners on the bid results at the Sept. 10 port commission meeting.
A second contract of up to $100,000 for stump grinding, topsoil replacement and grass seeding will be considered at a future port commission meeting.
The bids opened this week were for removal of up to 200 trees.
The city has identified another 150 trees for possible future removal.
The project will be funded with a 95 percent Federal Aviation Administration grant.
The port will pay its 5 percent share from passenger facility charges, which are added to the cost of airline tickets.
The 200 trees – which will be removed based upon height rather than being clearcut – are located in the west part of Lincoln Park near the former campground area.
The project could begin in mid-September and last about two weeks.
Parts of the park will be closed during tree removal for public safety.
The removal is the first phase of a three-phase project to remove airport obstructions.
The project will stretch into 2008 and 2009.
It is mandated by Federal Aviation Administration airspace requirements at adjacent William R. Fairchild International Airport.
The port operates the airport but the city owns the adjacent Lincoln Park.
Under Federal Aviation Administration regulations, trees and any other obstructions must be removed from an area 10,000 feet beyond the end of the airport’s main runway and 5,000 feet beyond the end of the alternate north-south runway.
The airport’s approach zones must be clear so planes can circle to make another approach at the runway.
