The city of Bainbridge Island is asking for proposals from qualified firms to provide planning, permitting, design and support services for Phase 2 of the Sound to Olympics Trail project.

The city has plans to create a pedestrian and bicycle pathway on Olympic Drive and Highway 305 from Winslow Way to Harbor Drive as Phase 1 of the trail.

The second phase is the completion of a study of the Highway 305 corridor between Winslow Way and High School Road to find the best alignment for a separated pathway, solidify concepts for connections or branch trails, design the north-south pathway, and construct the portion of the Sound to Olympics trail from Winslow Way to the existing non-motorized bridge near Vineyard Lane.

The city was told earlier this year by the Puget Sound Regional Council that Bainbridge would receive $1.6 million in Transportation Alternatives program funding to help pay for Phase 2 of the trail project.

The city hopes to start construction in the fall of this year or by spring 2015.

Bainbridge issued its request for qualifications on Wednesday, March 12.

The deadline for consultants to respond is Monday, April 7.

A selection committee appointed by the city will assist with evaluations of companies that respond to the RFQ, and the city will then begin negotiating a contract, a detailed scope of work, fee and schedule with the chosen firm.