EPHRATA — Work is beginning this fall on recreation improvements in the Crescent Bar area. Grant County PUD commissioners awarded a contract recently for $5,864,200 to Hurst Construction of Wenatchee for the first phase of work on Crescent Bar Island.

The bid was below the PUD engineering estimate of $8.7 million.

The work will include a 55-space campground with a restroom and shower facility. Of the individual sites, 33 will have room for a trailer or RV along with a boat and trailer, and space for a tent. About 10 sites will be slightly smaller, big enough for the trailer, boat and boat trailer but probably not room for a tent.

The first phase of on-island work also includes a day-use area with separate restrooms, a picnic shelter and a basketball (and other games) court. The contract also includes work on Crescent Bar Road, which will be realigned.

The project had included a walking trail looping around the end of the island, but the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission rejected that part of the plan, citing concerns about wildlife habitat. Instead, FERC directed the PUD build a trail going down to the end of the island, and back up on the same side, about three miles long. Utility district officials were required to consult with the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife on the design and the best way to let people view wildlife.

In addition, recreation improvement work will begin on the riverbank portion of the project, which had been delayed while PUD officials waited for the plans to be reviewed by FERC. Utility district had signed a $6.7 million contract with the West company, Spokane, in 2015 to start the work on the shoreline, but all work was delayed until FERC approved the plan.

Approval came in September, with some modifications to the plan, such as the changes to the trail. Utility district general manager Kevin Nordt said agreement had been reached and modifications, if any were necessary, already had been made to all projects included in the contract approved Oct. 11.

Part of the overall projects includes moving the campground from the riverbank to the island, and the shoreline will be redeveloped to include a day use plaza with a picnic area, walking trails, bathrooms with a shower and bike racks.

Cheryl Schweizer can be reached via email at education@columbiabasinherald.com.