Council approves low $184,000 bid for West Industrial Court culvert; traffic-control costs flagged

Public Works staff reported that the city received multiple bids to replace the culvert on West Industrial Court and recommended awarding the work to the low bidder, Blount Construction, at about $184,000 including a 15% contingency, the transcript shows.

Public Works speaker Mr. Teal told the council the project has been an issue since 2009, that nine or ten contractors submitted bids, and that the low bid of roughly $184,000 includes a 15% contingency to cover unknown underground conditions. "We do have a gas line we're working on getting relocated out there as well," Teal said. Teal also said the street must remain open during work, so contractors will direct traffic and place plates over excavations at night; council members heard traffic-control costs were about $20,000.

An engineer's cost estimate on the project was approximately $300,000, and staff said the city had budgeted that amount; the low bid came in under that estimate. Council members asked whether contingency funds would be used only as needed; staff said use of contingency would require approval and unused contingency would reduce the project price.

The council moved the item as consent and there was no recorded opposition in the provided transcript excerpt.

Why it matters: The culvert work addresses a longstanding infrastructure need in an industrial park and will affect traffic during construction. The project was described as under the previously budgeted engineer estimate.