Coconino County Director of Public Works Christopher Tressler recently appeared before the Board of Supervisors to explain in detail cost increases—including an addition to the County’s matching funds obligation—for a project to improve Perkinsville Road.
The project falls under the Federal Lands Access Program, managed by Central Federal Lands. CFL submitted a new cost estimate last fall, which included a request to increase the County’s match from 16.05% to 25%. Project resources are limited under the program, so if Coconino County wanted to remain competitive, its match would need to increase.
Tressler told Board members the strategy of increasing the matching funds contributions had proven effective with past projects, including work along Mormon Lake and Lake Mary Road.
Reconstruction of Perkinsville Road had an initial budget of $20M. FLAP would have covered $16.79M, leaving Coconino County with a 16.05% contribution of $3.2M.
An updated estimate was submitted at $44.6M, $11M of which would have been required from the County. The project was revised to remove some elements, and the updated cost was reduced to $36.5M, which now requires $9.125M from the County with the 25% match.
The project plan addresses improving 8.55 miles of Perkinsville Road and includes widening shoulders, improving the road surface, upgrades to the drainage, and improving facilities along the road for better recreational activity support along the road to improve its multimodal value. This includes a recreational parking area near the turnoff for Dogtown Road to let visitors leave their vehicles and use the site as an embarkation point for running or cycling.
Tressler explained costs rose due to several factors, including increased costs for materials, labor and equipment. Another contributor was the need to replace large culverts, rather than remodel or rejuvenate them as had originally been expected.
Road project costs per mile have risen from $1M/mile in 2019, when the original estimate was produced, to as high as $3M/mile today, Tressler said. He said the $36.5M estimate may ultimately be high and that, if costs turn out to be lower once bids are solicited, the County’s match amount at the 25% rate will also be less.
Following Tressler’s presentation, the Board voted to approve the increase. (Source)
