Council approves concurrence with low bid for Merle Hay/Meredith traffic-signal replacement; Urbandale share about $75,000

The City Council approved staff concurrence with Des Moines’ recommendation to accept the low bid from VanMoen Electric for the Merle Hay Road and Meredith Drive traffic-signal replacement project. John Larson, the city’s director of engineering and public works, said the project involves replacing two signals (one at the south ramp of the interstate and one at Meredith Drive and Merle Hay Road), and that Des Moines is the lead agency on the joint project.

Larson told the council Des Moines received three bids; VanMoen’s low bid was about $3,000 under the engineer’s estimate and totaled $597,000. Des Moines secured an Iowa DOT grant for $182,000 that reduces Urbandale’s exposure; Larson estimated Urbandale’s share will be about $75,000. Staff anticipate work will be completed by December.

There were no public speakers on the item during the hearing and council adopted the accompanying resolutions authorizing the actions and contracts.

Quote: “Des Moines received three bids and we’re recommending concurrence with the low bid from VanMoen Electric in the amount of $597,000,” said John Larson.

Outcome: council approved the bid and passed the related resolutions. Work will proceed under Des Moines’ contract administration, with Urbandale contributing its share of the project cost.