Maple Valley officials decided fishing for federal transportation funds to help pay for a roundabout was all nibbles and no bites.

The City Council agreed with Public Works Director Steve Clark Monday at the study session that waiting for federal transportation money was futile at this point for the roundabout project at 248th and Witte Road.

The city has had the project on the books for about nine years and Clark said it was time to pull the trigger and get the shovels digging.

The city will be asking for bids and the project will be awarded to a contractor in about three weeks.

Clark told the council members construction would begin around mid-June. The $5 million dollar project is slated to be completed in nine months.

The roundabout is the first in Maple Valley and will be located at the intersection between the Maple Valley Library and The Greater Maple Valley Community Center.

The city had hoped the transportation money would be come through in the U.S. Senate jobs bill, but the transportation funding was cut.

“We can’t wait for hope,” Clark said. “The project is on the books and ready to go out for construction.”

The city has the money for the project from impact fees and real estate excise tax funds.

Once a construction schedule is determined, the city will provide information concerning traffic detours and diversions.