Savings used to improve courthouse access
Construction workers replace the sidewalk near the Grant County courthouse. Facilities and Maintenance Manager Tom Gaines said the project is being completed under budget.<span id="buffer-extension-hover-button" style="display: none; position: absolute; z-index: 8675309; width: 100px; height: 25px; background-image: url('https://d389zggrogs7qo.cloudfront.net/images/extensions/img/buffer-hover-icon@1x.png'); background-size: 100px 25px; opacity: 0.9; cursor: pointer;"></span>
EPHRATA - Grant County courthouse maintenance staff are using the savings from an under-budget sidewalk project to add flashing lights at crosswalks and move toward compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.
EPHRATA - Grant County courthouse maintenance staff are using the savings from an under-budget sidewalk project to add flashing lights at crosswalks and move toward compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act requirements.
Maintenance Manager Tom Gaines initially planned to replace sidewalks around the county courthouse last year. But when the lowest bid came in at $70,000, he backed away from the project and placed the item on this year's budget.
When no one answered a request for bids to replace the sidewalks this year, Gaines used a state-approved contractor list to contact companies about the project. He said he was pleasantly surprised when he got a bid for $34,537 from MC Construction of Ruston, Wash.
He said he often sees courthouse patrons running across the street to beat traffic on Division Avenue, and realized the new sidewalk should have new flashing safety lights to alert motorists when pedestrians were crossing.
He said recently he saw a group of elementary-school aged children trying to beat the traffic and knew something had to be done before a serious accident occurred.
So he began looking into pedestrian activated rapid flash beacons, and found that he could save almost $2,000 by purchasing them online from a state-approved purchaser.
He said he would like to use those savings to replace doors at the courthouse that are difficult for people with disabilities to open.
Gaines said when the sidewalk and crosswalk project is complete the parking lots, sidewalk and crosswalk would be easier for people with disabilities to use.
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