Coeur d'Alene council to consider $2.4 million water project

COEUR d'ALENE — The Coeur d'Alene City Council on Tuesday is expected to consider a $2.4 million bid for a new water main in Thomas Lane.

The move is necessary to meet water needs in the northeast area of town, according to a city report.

If approved, the Thomas Lane transmission main will move water from Margaret and 15th Street south to Thomas Lane, then east to the end of Thomas Lane, where the city plans to build a one million gallon water tank, projected to cost about $5 million. 

Alpine Northwest submitted the low bid for the installation of a new 16-inch water main. Other bids came from Northwest Grading Inc., $2.6 million; Halme Construction Inc., $2.9 million; Big Sky Corp, $3 million; DW Excavating Inc., $3.1 million, S&L Underground, $3.5 million; Terra Underground LLC, $3.7 million; Apollo, $4 million; and J7 Contracting, $4.1 million. The engineer’s estimate was $4.6 million.

Funding for the proposed project is partly included in the 2023-24 fiscal year budget at $1.5 million to be paid out of capitalization fees. 

"Funding in the line item may need to be carried over into the next fiscal year budget," the city report said.

According to the city report, the need for additional water storage in the area due to the city's growth highlighted deficiencies in system capacity and supply were noted in the 2012 Water Comprehensive Plan update.

Sections of 15th Street and Thomas Lane will have moving traffic detours and restrictions while construction takes place, the city report said.