Leavenworth City Council approves 97K design contract for water main upgrades

The Leavenworth City Council approved a $97,547 design contract with RH2 Engineering for water main upgrades on Stafford and West Center Streets to improve water capacity and reliability. The project entails replacing undersized pipes and addressing unlooped mains, with an estimated total cost of $490,000. City Engineer Brantley Bain raised concerns about the overall cost due to potential road conditions requiring trench cuts. Council members noted the risk of lawsuits if improvements are delayed, as previous guarantees of water availability may not be met. City Administrator Matthew Selby emphasized the urgency of the project during the meeting.

If funds remain after the initial design, improvements on Cedar Street between Burke Avenue and Fir Street may also be planned. Bain is exploring existing designs for Cedar Street to potentially save costs. Construction is projected to commence in 2026.