Bid accepted for construction of new road in Valley

BY JOHN BRICE

FOR THE LAFAYETTE SUN

VALLEY — Webb Utilities and Construction of Wadley was awarded the bid to build a new road in Valley at the Valley Council meeting on Sept. 14.

City Engineer Scott Harris briefed the council on the bidding process for the 40th Street E. Spine Road, Phase 1 project before the council approved the resolution awarding the contract.

Harris said the city received two bids several weeks ago — one from Adams Construction and one from Webb Utilities — and when the bid opened, Adams Construction was the initial low bidder.

Harris added Adams’ bid came in at roughly $3.46 million while Webb’s bid was roughly $3.77 million, which represented a roughly 9%, or $315,000, difference.

“Harris Gray recommended we award the project to Webb rather than Adams for two reasons: Adams left out two items the bid package listed as required, and there was a significant difference in how the two firms priced an assumed quantity in the plans,” Harris said.

Harris explained how that pricing difference could change which bid is actually cheaper once the plan, which assumes 100 cubic yards of soil will be removed where the road crosses the wetlands, is taken into account.

Harris added the project expects there to be “well above” 100 cubic yards of soil removed over the course of the project, and Webb’s bid of $10.75 per cubic yard — which was $49.25 less per cubic yard than Adams’ bid of $60 per cubic yard — was ultimately the more fiscally responsible option.

“That’s a big gap. Because the city pays for the actual amount of soil removed, the more we dig, the more Adams’ higher unit price adds up,” Harris said. “At about 6,400 cubic yards, the totals flip and Webb becomes the true low bidder. And we have no idea how much bad soil is going to come out of there.”

Harris said the site conditions make heavy excavation likely.

“We’re crossing the wetlands, we’ve got deep utilities running through them and we’ve got culverts,” Harris said. “We know a good bit of soil is going to be removed. I think it’s responsible to take that into account, and there’s a very good possibility we’ll exceed 6,400 cubic yards. So, on top of the two required items Adams left out, I’d say Webb is the responsible low bidder.”

In other business: 

There was a public hearing at the beginning of the meeting confirming the cost of abatement for 1411 Columbus Road.

There was a call for a public hearing on Oct. 12 on rezoning property at 1646 River Road from C-3 (local business district) to R-2 (medium density residential district).

A consent agenda was approved, including two determinations of violation and authorizing action against Neace at 104 Monk St. and Langford at 522 Hall Memorial Circle, confirming the cost of abatement at 1411 Columbus Road, eight weed liens, public consumption of alcohol for a family dinner at Lakeview and a timber agreement.

A 3% employee cost of living raise was approved.

Sale of real property at 408 Denna Drive was approved.

An ordinance was approved to accept a Point Broadband franchise agreement.

Annexation of properties owned by Burney and Djunaidy were each approved.