By Doug Petrowski
Construction is expected to begin next month on three new vehicle and pedestrian bridges over McAleer Creek within the Nile Shriners’ Golf Course property after the Mountlake Terrace City Council chose a contractor for the project on Monday.
New West Development Inc. of Everett was selected to build the bridges at a cost of $882,387.14. New West Development’s bid was more than $200,000 below city engineers’ estimate of what the project would cost.
The removal of current culverts and the construction of the three new structures is expected to increase the capacity of the water flow through the creek, thus reducing the high water levels of Lake Ballinger that are sometimes seen during times of heavy rain. City engineers are also expecting improved fish passage and habitat conditions through McAleer Creek once the project is completed, in addition to less effort needed for creek maintenance.
Construction is expected to continue through the summer with a planned September completion and is not expected to interfere with golf course operations.