Bonner County awards Melody Lane culvert replacement contract to CE Kramer Crane & Contracting

Bonner County commissioners on June 2 approved a contract with CE Kramer Crane & Contracting Inc. to replace an aged 6-foot corrugated metal culvert under Melody Lane at Westmond Creek with a 6-foot-8-inch concrete box culvert.

Road and Bridge staff explained the existing metal culvert was undersized and that upstream crossings use larger concrete box culverts; the new box culvert would match flow and capacity requirements. Because the concrete sections weigh about 23,000 pounds each—heavier than county lifting equipment—staff recommended contracting the full project rather than attempting a partial in-house installation.

The county solicited semiformal quotes under Idaho procurement rules and invited six contractors; two submitted lump-sum bids. CE Kramer Crane & Contracting submitted the low bid of $192,850 and J7 Contracting submitted a higher bid. Commissioners asked whether parallel smaller culverts or partial in‑house work might save money; staff warned of debris and maintenance issues with multiple smaller culverts and cited current crew workload (preparing Claystone Road) as a reason to contract the work.

A motion to award the project to CE Kramer Crane & Contracting for $192,850 passed on a roll-call vote with all commissioners voting yes. The board authorized the chair to sign the contract.

Timing and scope: County staff explained the contractor will handle lifting and placement of the concrete box sections and the board authorized execution of the contract so the project can proceed.

Financials: The awarded contract amount is $192,850, based on semiformal quotes solicited from six known contractors, with two responsive bids.