Jutte is lowest bidder (03/29/07)

DUNKIRK - Four bids, ranging from just under $755,700 to more than $1.1 million, were opened Wednesday afternoon for the water main relocation project which will cover the length of Ind. 167 (Main Street) through this city.

A contract for the work is expected to be awarded at the next Dunkirk City Council meeting at 7 p.m. on April 9.

Apparent low bidder was Jutte Excavating of Fort Recovery, Ohio, with a quote of $755,690.60.

Other bids were submitted by Crosby Excavating of Fort Wayne, $959,273; Culy Construction, Winchester, $969,222; and Dave's Excavating, Marion, $1.1 million.

The bid documents were turned over to Steve Bender, the city's consulting engineer from Commonwealth Engineers Inc., Indianapolis, for review and a recommendation.

Bender said he will check over the bids to be sure they meet all required specifications. He said his review should be completed in time for the council to take action on April 9.

Construction work should begin within two weeks of the award of the contract, Bender said, adding that the job should take six months to complete.

The city recently was awarded a state grant which will cover all but about $40,000 of the project costs.

The water main relocation work will be done this spring and summer, while the estimated $2.5 million worth of road improvement work will start next year, Mayor Sam Hubbard said. He pointed out the state will advertise for bids and cover all of those costs.

As part of the city's portion of the work, water mains will be relocated from beneath the highway to the west side of Ind. 167 below the sidewalk area. About 15 fire hydrants will have to be relocated, the mayor added.

The project calls for the installation of 7,500 feet of new water mains, along with all the associated valves, fittings and connections.

Also Hubbard explained that the state won't do anything about the roadway reconstruction work until all the water mains, gas lines and telephone wires have been relocated.[[In-content Ad]]