County awards $2.79 million contract for County Road 157 improvements in Albany

Stearns County commissioners awarded a construction contract for County Road 157 improvements in the city of Albany to CNL Excavating for $2,793,604.50, the board decided Oct. 5.

County engineering staff said the project was broken into two contracts after permitting and coordination with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; one issue remaining involves whether an old railroad trestle should be listed, staff said. The county noted municipal-area work tends to be more costly than rural reconstruction.

The county’s share of the project is funded from local-option sales tax dollars and is “just over $1,460,000”; the city of Albany’s share is roughly $1,331,000, the county presentation said. The city also received an Active Transportation grant that contributed $285,000 for sidewalk extension work.

County staff reported that all bids were at least about 30% over the engineer’s estimate. The board’s motion to award the contract to CNL Excavating passed on a voice vote; Commissioner Clark seconded the motion.

Public works staff told commissioners they will provide a forthcoming summary of the county’s sales-tax transportation fund — receipts, funded projects and future estimates — so the board can see how this award affects the overall project list and funding plan.