Burnett & Williams Ave S Water Quality Retrofit

The Burnett Ave S and Williams Ave S Water Quality Retrofit Project will construct stormwater quality treatment facilities in Williams Ave S and S Tobin St to treat runoff from over 12 acres of land in downtown Renton before discharging to the Cedar River. The project will also replace existing undersized stormwater conveyance pipes within the project area with larger pipes to minimize flooding and will include removal and in-kind restoration of asphalt surfacing, concrete sidewalks, and other surface features as necessary to install the stormwater improvements. Sewer improvements are planned within a portion of Burnett Ave S to improve clearance from the proposed storm system and replace pipes that have reached their useful lifespan.

Construction is partially funded by the Washington State Department of Ecology’s Stormwater Financial Assistance Program in the amount of $927,000. Additional funding is provided by the King County Flood Control District Sub Regional Opportunity fund in the amount of $194,950. Remaining funds required for project design and construction are provided by the Surface Water Utility’s and Wastewater Utility’s capital improvement program budgets.

Contract Award Information

Design

The Surface Water Utility contracted with BHC Consultants, LLC for the delivery of the survey, geotechnical, environmental, cultural, permitting support, civil engineering design, and construction engineering support services required for this project, through final design. The total contract amount is $543,409.

Construction

The Surface Water Utility solicited bids from contractors in accordance with City policy 252-02. A total of nine (9) bids were submitted. At its regular meeting on June 17, 2024, the Renton City Council awarded the construction contract, in the amount of $2,659,248.64, to the R.L. Alia Company.

FAQs

What to Expect During Construction

Construction will occur Mondays to Fridays (excluding holidays), 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Access to businesses and properties will be maintained throughout construction. The contractor will limit work to a single street to the extent possible.

Traffic detours will be in place throughout the duration of the project to help residents avoid the construction zones.

On-street parking restrictions will also occur during the project. “No Parking” signs will be posted in areas within and adjacent to the active construction zone and will shift as construction advances.

Utility Markings: As required by law and in advance of any excavation, underground utility lines are located and marked. There may also be a vacuum excavation crew onsite to physically locate the existing utilities that the new water and storm mains will cross.

Material and Equipment Staging: The contractor will deliver materials and equipment to the job site but will only stage enough construction materials for the current day’s work.

Trench Excavation: New mains are typically installed using an open-cut construction method by excavating a trench in a section of the pavement. This may create noise and dust and will be done on weekdays, during the day, to minimize disturbances to residents and traffic.

Parking and Traffic: There may be temporary lane closures and/or parking restrictions. Where lane closures are required, the contractor will have signs and flaggers to guide traffic safely through the work zone. The contractor will also ensure that residents have access into and out of their driveways.

Temporary Trench Restoration: Each day, open trenches will be backfilled. In paved areas, trenches will be covered with temporary asphalt to provide a drivable surface and in certain locations, steel plates may be used to cover open trenches.

Water Service Reconnections: A limited number of customer service lines will need to be relocated to allow for installation of the storm system improvements. This may result in a water service disruption. The city will notify affected customers in advance of all service disruptions by mailers and/or knocking or leaving notices on front doors.

Final Restoration: The final step is to restore disturbed areas and repave roadways and needs to take place during favorable weather conditions.

Anticipated Construction Sequence

The Contractor will begin work on Williams Ave S near the Cedar River and work in a southerly direction.

Work will then proceed to S Tobin St, starting at the intersection of S Tobin St and Williams Ave S and move west towards Burnett Ave S.

Work will then proceed to Burnett Ave S. Work along Burnett Ave S is planned to start near the intersection of Burnett Ave S and S Tobin St and continue in a southerly direction.

Final restoration of disturbed areas and repaving of Burnett Ave S, S Tobin St, and Williams Ave S will occur once installation of the proposed utility improvements has been completed.

Project Description

The project is located near downtown Renton, south of the Cedar River and west of Interstate 405. The project area is approximately 3.17 acres, located entirely within the City of Renton Right-of-Way on Burnett Ave S and Williams Ave S between 2nd Street S and the Cedar River. S Tobin Street between Burnett Ave S and Williams Ave S. Burnett Ave S and Williams Ave S are located within the city’s Center Downtown area and are lined by various commercial businesses and other mixed-use properties and contain several other public and private utilities. The location is zoned CD–Center Downtown.

The existing roadways within the project area have concrete sidewalks, planters, curbs, and gutters. The current storm drainage system consists of catch basins, manholes, and mostly eight-inch diameter concrete conveyance pipes installed in the 1950s. A single 12-inch diameter concrete outfall conveys drainage freely from the project area to the Cedar River. There are no water quality or flow control facilities within the project area. Large storms increase the risk of flooding within the project area, particularly at the 95 Burnett S apartments. A predecessor to this project was the Renton Downtown Utility Improvements Project (DUIP) in 2018, which identified stormwater conveyance deficiencies in the downtown area.

At the outfall from the project area, the Cedar River is listed in the Department of Ecology’s 303(d) impaired water bodies as a Category 5 for pH, temperature, and dissolved oxygen and a Category 2 for mercury. The project area lies within the city’s Aquifer Protection Area Zone 1 for one-year capture, prohibiting infiltration as a water quality treatment option.

This project consists of storm drain system improvements to address known areas of flooding within the project area by upsizing existing undersized pipes in Burnett Ave S, Williams Ave S, and S Tobin St to meet the current city storm drainage design guidelines and address identified deficiencies in pipe condition and material. Additionally, the project will improve water quality in the Cedar River watershed by installing two modular wetland facilities within the public right-of-way, one in S Tobin St and one in Williams Ave S, that will provide treatment of stormwater runoff from over 12 acres of developed land. Sanitary sewer improvements are also planned within a portion of Burnett Ave S as part of this project to improve clearance from the proposed storm system and replace pipes that have reached their useful lifespan. Removal and in-kind restoration of asphalt surfacing, concrete sidewalks, and other surface features necessary to install the proposed improvements will also occur as part of the project.

Project Updates

Fall 2020
City Council awarded the professional services contract to BHC Consultants, LLC.

Spring 2024
City Council awarded the construction contract to R.L. Alia Company.

Fall 2024
Contractor given Notice to Proceed, and construction scheduled to start in October 2024.

Spring 2025
Anticipated end of construction.

See FAQs for more information on what to expect during construction and the anticipated construction sequence.

Open House Invitation - Mailed February 9, 2024

Open House Invitation(PDF, 263KB), mailed to adjacent properties on February 9, 2024.

Water Quality Retrofit Project Burnett Ave S & Williams Ave S

The City of Renton has completed the design of stormwater drainage improvements and water quality retrofits along Burnett Ave S and Williams Ave S between S 2nd St and the Cedar River.

The project includes the installation of two linear modular wetland water quality treatment facilities which will provide treatment of surface water runoff discharging to the Cedar River. Additionally, 2,650 linear feet of storm pipes and 450 linear feet of sewer pipes will be installed to:

  • Improve drainage
  • Reduce the risk of flooding
  • Improve sewer service
  • Replace aging infrastructure.

Construction is anticipated to begin in July 2024 and conclude in Spring 2025. Construction is expected to start near the Cedar River and progress south throughout the project area.

The project is funded in part by the Washington State Department of Ecology.

Your Input Is Important!

Join us in our open house/ webinar on February 22 for more info and to ask questions about the project. Details on back.

To be good neighbors during construction and minimize construction impacts, it is helpful for us to understand information such as:

  • Operating hours
  • Access and parking needs for customers/employees/ vendors
  • Delivery types and timing
  • Communication needs and preferences
  • Other impacts or concerns

Join us for an Open House!

Learn more about the Burnett Ave S and Williams Ave S Water Quality Retrofit Project

  • Learn about planned stormwater drainage improvements
  • Understand the project schedule and community impacts
  • Discuss the project with City Staff

In Person:
Thursday, February 22, 2024, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m.
Renton City Hall, Room 519
1055 S Grady Way, Renton, WA 98057

Online at: microsoft.com/en-us/microsoft-teams/join-a-meeting
Meeting ID: 236 324 710 464, Passcode: VkfvdT

Or Call in (audio only)
+1 425-655-2231, 631101349# United States, Seattle
Phone Conference ID: 631 101 349#

For questions or comments please contact
Troy Solly, P.E.
Civil Engineer III, Public Works Department
Phone 425-430-7313
Email tsolly@rentonwa.gov

The City of Renton hereby gives public notice that it is the Agency’s policy to assure full compliance with Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, the Civil Rights Restoration Act of 1987, and related statutes and regulations in all programs and activities. Title VI requires that no person shall, on the grounds of race, color, sex, or national origin be excluded from the participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under any Federal Aid Highway program or other activity for which the City of Renton receives federal financial assistance. Any person who believes they have been aggrieved by an unlawful discriminatory practice under Title VI has a right to file a formal complaint with the City of Renton. Any such complaint must be in writing and filed with the City of Renton Title VI Coordinator within one hundred, eighty (180) days following the date of the alleged discriminatory occurrence. Title VI Discrimination Complaint Forms may be obtained from the City of Renton, Transportation Division at no cost to the complainant by calling 425-430-7380.

Open House Presentation - February 22, 2024

Open House presentation(PDF, 9MB) on February 22, 2024

Burnett Ave S and Williams Ave S Water Quality Retrofit Project

Topics to Discuss

  • Brief Background
  • Location
  • Costs
  • Construction Timeline
  • Community Considerations
  • What to Expect
  • Project Team & Contact Information
  • Questions

A Brief Background

Project Origin
Downtown Utilities Improvement Project

Project Scope
Installation of water quality treatment facilities and replacement of undersized and aging stormwater and wastewater infrastructure

Acknowledgement
Project is partially funded by the Washington State Department of Ecology Stormwater Grant Program and the King County Flood Control District Subregional Opportunity Fund

Project Area

Vicinity Map

Impacted Streets

  • Burnett Ave S
  • Williams Ave S
  • S Tobin St
  • S Riverside Dr

Restoration

Water
Relocation of existing Water Services to enable installation of new storm system

Core Work

Wastewater
Approximately 450 feet of new sanitary sewer pipe & laterals

Surface Water
Approximately 2,650 feet of new stormwater pipes and two water quality treatment facilities

Restoration

Curb & Gutter
The replacement of curbs, gutters, sidewalks and ramps where impacted by installation of new utilities

Project Costs and Grant Funding

Budget

  • Project Budget: $ 4.37 M
  • Estimated Remaining Project Costs: $ 3.74 M
  • 2024 Combined Surface Water and Wastewater Utility CIP Budgets, Includes Grant
  • Funding

Project Grant Funding

  • Washington State Department of Ecology Water Quality Combined Financial Assistance Agreements
    • 2020 Grant Agreement for Design Phase: $277,500
    • 2023 Grant Agreement for Construction Phase: $927,000
    • Total Department of Ecology Grant Funding: $1,204,500
  • King County Flood Control District Subregional Opportunity Fund
    • 2024 Subregional Opportunity Fund Allocation: $194,950
    • Total Grant Funding for over lifetime of Project: $1,399,450

Project Timeline

  • Ongoing public outreach efforts
  • Continuing Engagement with Residents & Businesses
  • On-Line Open House/Office Hours
  • Project Website
  • Scheduled Notifications

April 2024

  • Solicit Bids for Construction

By June 2024

  • Award Construction Contract
  • Utility Coordination

By July 2024

  • Pre-Construction Meeting
  • Contractor Submittals
  • Contractor Mobilization
  • Construction Survey
  • Utility Locates
  • Layout

July 2024 - Spring 2025

  • Construction of utility work followed by street restoration
  • Begin with storm system improvements on Williams Ave S near Cedar River (proposed)
  • Move south along Williams Ave S and Burnett Ave S towards S 2nd St
  • Expected 9-month construction window

Community Considerations

General Public

  • Vehicular Traffic (Local Traffic, Through Traffic, Public Transportation)
  • Pedestrian Routes
  • Residential Access and Parking

Businesses

  • Commercial Access and Parking
  • Business Hours
  • Deliveries

Downtown Events and Activities

  • Farmers Market
  • Renton River Days
  • Cruise the Loop

What to Expect

Trenching

  • Begin construction at Williams Ave S near Cedar River (proposed)
  • Estimated 7am-4pm construction hours
  • No overnight work will be allowed

Parking Restrictions and Pedestrian Routes

  • Minor parking restriction and pedestrian detours near work zones

Traffic Management

  • Where possible, a minimum of 1-lane of traffic will be open to traffic at all times
  • During construction hours, detours will be established when traffic cannot safely proceed through the work zones
  • Additional Lanes may be open after construction hours when possible

Public Outreach

  • Public outreach will begin prior to start of construction and will continue throughout, including:
  • Advanced notice of construction impacts to residents and businesses (on-street parking restrictions, interruption to water service, other impacts).
  • Updates on construction progress
  • Signage will be provided to direct people to businesses located within and surrounding the work zones.

Project Team

Design Consultant
BHC Consultants, Inc.
Seattle, WA

Becca Ochiltree, PE
Project Manager

City Staff

Project Team
Troy Solly, PE
Lead Project Manager

Joe Farah, PE
Surface Water Utility Manager

Subject Matter Experts and Supporting PMs

  • Water Utility Engineering, Abdoul Gafour
  • Wastewater Utility Engineering, Mike Benoit

Comments or Questions?

Phone
(425) 430-7313

Email
tsolly@rentonwa.gov

Website
Rentonwa.gov/BURNETTWILLIAMS
in the pipeline, online soon!

Construction Notice - Mailed September 27, 2024

Construction Notice(PDF, 209KB), mailed to adjacent properties on September 27, 2024.

Construction Notification

Burnett Ave S & Williams Ave S Storm System Improvement Project

This is a notification for the upcoming construction of the Burnett Ave S & Williams Ave S Storm System improvement Project. Construction activities are currently scheduled to begin in October 2024 and end in May 2025.

The project will install two linear modular wetland water quality treatment facilities to provide treatment of surface water and improve water quality of runoff discharging to the Cedar River through the system. Additionally, 2,650 linear feet of storm pipes and 450 linear feet of sewer pipes will be installed to:

  • Improve drainage
  • Reduce the risk of flooding
  • Improve sewer service
  • Replace aging infrastructure

Construction will occur Mondays to Fridays (excluding holidays), 7 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Contractor crews working for the City of Renton will be in your neighborhood soon to replace aging infrastructure and install stormwater and sanitary sewer improvements.

Here’s what you can expect during construction:

  1. Utility Marking: As required by law and in advance of any excavation, underground utility lines are located and marked. There may also be a vacuum excavation crew onsite to physically locate the existing utilities that the new water and storm mains will cross.

  2. Material and Equipment Staging: The contractor will deliver materials and equipment to the job site but will only stage enough construction materials for the current day’s work.

  3. Trench Excavation: New mains are typically installed using an open-cut construction method by excavating a trench in a section of the pavement. This may create noise and dust and will be done on weekdays, during the day, to minimize disturbances to residents and traffic.

  4. Parking and Traffic: There may be temporary lane closures and/or parking restrictions. Where lane closures are required, the contractor will have signs and flaggers to guide traffic safely through the work zone. The contractor will also ensure that residents have access into and out of their driveways.

  5. Temporary Trench Restoration: Each day, open trenches will be backfilled. In paved areas, trenches will be covered with temporary asphalt to provide a drivable surface and in certain locations, steel plates may be used to cover open trenches.

  6. Water Service Reconnections: Customer service lines will need to be relocated to allow for installation of the storm system improvements. This may result in a few water service disruptions. The city will notify customers in advance of all service disruptions by mailers and/or knocking or leaving notices on front doors.

  7. Final Restoration: The final step is to restore disturbed areas and repave roadways and needs to take place during favorable weather conditions.

Access & Parking

Access to businesses and properties will be maintained throughout construction. The contractor (R.L. Alia Company) will limit work to a single street to the most extent possible. Traffic detours will be in place throughout the duration of the project to help residents avoid the construction zones.

On-street parking restrictions will also occur during the project. “No Parking” signs will be posted in areas within and adjacent to the active construction zone and will shift as construction advances.

For questions, contact Troy Solly at tsolly@rentonwa.gov or call 425-430-7313.

For more information and project updates, please visit:
rentonwa.gov/burnettwilliams

The project is funded in part by the Washington State Department of Ecology and the King County Flood Control District Sub-Regional Opportunity Fund

Vicinity Map

Project Area Map