The City of Rawlins is moving forward with the Edinburgh Street Reconstruction Project. Funded mostly through the Specific Purpose “Sixth Penny” Tax approved in 2019, the project will rebuild utilities, street surface, and install a new stormwater drainage system on Edinburgh Street from Dunphail Street to Murray Street.
This project is a full rebuild which includes new water and sewer mains, complete street and sidewalk rebuild, groundwater mitigation, and installation of a stormwater drainage system. As there is significant groundwater in the area, the new stormwater system will help protect the new road from the significant road damage present on Edinburgh Street currently. Public Works Director Cody Dill stated, “The new road will be greatly improved for driving, and the new groundwater system will protect the road going forward. By upgrading the existing water and sewer at the same time, we hope not to touch Edinburgh for a long time.”
The Edinburgh Street project includes:
- Replacement of the existing water main and sanitary sewer system
- Installation of a new stormwater collection system (storm sewers)
- Road reconstruction, including curb, gutter, and sidewalk
- Sidewalk additions and ADA-accessible pedestrian ramps
The Construction Bid is currently open, with a mandatory pre-bid meeting on August 6th, followed by the bid opening on September 9th at 2:30 pm at City Hall. All construction plans, technical specifications, and bid details are available on the City of Rawlins Bids page at www.rawlinswy.gov/bids. The bid is expected to be awarded in September, allowing for construction to start in Fall 2025 or Spring 2026, based on weather and contractor’s preference. Construction is expected to last approximately 250 days, which may allow for the work to be finished in late 2026.
The Edinburgh Street project was approved for funding in the Specific Purpose “Sixth Penny” Tax passed in May 2019. The City of Rawlins initially requested $12.1 million in total project funding for ten infrastructure upgrades. However, the Edinburgh Street project has been affected by some major hurdles – 1) significant inflation starting in early 2020 and ongoing, 2) unavailability of pipe in 2021-2022, and 3) need for additional design work and higher expected costs after the scope of the project was determined to be larger than originally expected (awarded by Council in March 2023). Due to these factors the Edinburgh project’s estimated cost has increased to over $8 m. To keep the project viable and avoid further cost increases from continued delays, the Rawlins City Council approved a strategic reallocation of funds in June 2024. Current funding includes:
- $6 million from the Specific Purpose “Sixth Penny” Tax funds
- $1 million from the Chokecherry Wind Energy Impact Assistance Funds, which do not require repayment
- $1.3 million + from the City’s general fund, to be repaid through future Specific Purpose “Sixth Penny” Tax funds
For more information, please contact Mira Miller, City of Rawlins Community Relations/PIO at 307-328-4500 ext. 1022. Interested in receiving news from the City? Sign up for news via email or text at www.rawlinswy.gov/notifyme under “City of Rawlins News.”
Updated on 8/5: Correct pre-bid meeting and bid opening dates
