Design work approved for project linking South Wenatchee to Loop Trail

WENATCHEE — The Wenatchee City Council on March 12 approved a design contract for a project intended to improve bicycle and pedestrian connections between South Wenatchee and the city’s Loop Trail system.

Councilmembers approved a contract with Osborn Consulting for design services on the Bridge Street multimodal improvements project. The contract is not to exceed $554,750.

Public Works Director Tom Wachholder presented the item to the council, explaining that the project will extend improvements from the south-end bicycle and pedestrian access bridges north toward South Wenatchee Avenue.

The work is intended to connect neighborhoods in South Wenatchee more directly to the regional trail system.

Despite the relatively short corridor, Wachholder said the design contract reflects a broader scope of work tied to grant requirements and site conditions.

One of the project’s funding sources, the Sandy Williams Connecting Communities grant, requires extensive community outreach as part of the planning process.

“The outreach component of this project is going to be quite extensive, above and beyond what we normally do for a capital project,” Wachholder said.

Design work will also include geotechnical analysis, coordination with multiple utilities in the corridor and evaluation of intersection alternatives at South Wenatchee Avenue.

City staff said the project is fully funded through grants from the Washington Transportation Improvement Board and the Sandy Williams Connecting Communities program, meaning no city funds are required for the design work.

Design is expected to continue through 2026, with construction anticipated in 2027. The project is intended to connect neighborhoods in South Wenatchee more directly to the city’s Loop Trail system.

Andrew Simpson: 509-433-7626 or andrew@ward.media