Project Background
The City of Tacoma plans to use progressive design-build delivery to design and construct the new Puyallup Avenue Sewer Utility Replacement Project to reduce flooding events in Pacific Avenue and South Tacoma Way/26th Street and to upsize aging storm and wastewater infrastructure.
The project is anticipated to include the following improvements:
• Rehabilitation of approximately 1,200 LF of existing 60” arch storm pipe
• Replacement of 2,000 LF of storm pipe ranging in diameter from 24”–84”
• Replacement of 1,500 LF of wastewater pipe ranging in diameter from 24”–66”
• Removal of the existing Puyallup Ave bridge (approximately 300 LF), and replacement with a new roadway placed on fill with new retaining walls
• Crossing of Sound Transit Link Light Rail alignment (potentially using trenchless methods), and crossing of I-705 at existing underpass
• Associated existing utility relocations
Project Challenges
Key Project challenges and activities are anticipated to include:
• Vetting of alternatives and constructability review for potential alignments and approaches to flood mitigation
• Subsurface conditions for open cut pipe installation, including deep excavations, groundwater management, potential contaminated soil and groundwater, and existing utility avoidance/relocation
• Bridge replacement and protection of nearby structures
• Transportation crossings including Sound Transit Link light rail and I-705
• Permitting (transportation and shoreline)
• Public impacts (e.g., traffic, transit, pedestrian, noise) for work in a congested urban area
• Sewer bypasses and coordination with operations for shutdowns
• Pipe rehabilitation of existing arch sewer
Anticipated Procurement Schedule
| Activity or Milestone |
Anticipated Date |
| RFQ Issued Including Term Sheet |
June 17 |
| Pre-SOQ Submittal Meeting |
June 25 |
| Deadline for Questions on the RFQ |
July 10 |
| Date for Final City Addendum |
July 17 |
| SOQ Submittal Date |
July 30 |
| Short-List Announcement |
August |
| Post-Shortlist Confidential Meetings |
August/September |
| RFP Issued (including draft Design-Build Contract) |
September |
| Confidential Meetings |
September/October |
| Proposal Submittal Date |
October/November |
| Interviews |
November |
| Selection Notification |
November |
| Contract Negotiations |
November-December |
| City Approval / Preliminary Services NTP |
February 2025 |
Project Schedule
The City plans to issue Stage 1 - Preliminary Services notice-to-proceed in early 2025. Stage 2 - Construction is anticipated to begin spring of 2026 and is targeting completion of the project by December 2027.
Contact Information
If you have general questions about the project and/or would like to let the City know you’re
interested please contact Kristy Beardemphl, P.E., Engineering Manager at kbeardemphl@cityoftacoma.org or Christa Lee, P.E., Project Manager at clee@cityoftacoma.org.