Commissioners open bids & award Community Crossing Projects

The Marshall County Commissioners opened bids for this year’s Community Crossing paving projects during their meeting on Monday.  The county received $2 million, and the state grant will pay 75% of the project cost up to $2 million. 

Bids were received from three vendors: E & B Paving Inc. from Rochester, Milestone Contractors from South Bend, and Reith Riley Construction from South Bend. 

The bids include the Community Crossing Projects 3rd Road from King Road to West Shore at Lake of the Woods, 9th Road from Lincoln Highway to Union Road, 14th Road from Juniper Road to Elm Road, 16C Road from Redwood to Pear Road, Muckshaw Road from State Road 10 to 18B Road, and Nutmeg Meadows, Quail Ridge, Shady Lane, and Sutter Addition. 

Bids were opened, with the bid from Rieth Riley being the highest at $2,091,668.  E & B Paving was next in line with a bid of $2,052,783. The lowest bid came from Milestone at $1,916,209.

Commissioner Jesse Bohannon commented that the bids were all close in amount.  He asked if the commissioners had to take the low bid or if they had any discretion.  Commissioner Stan Klotz said, “We have some discretion but normally it’s the low bid unless you have good reason.”  He went on to say that the county has done business with all three providers.    

Following the bid opening, Highway Superintendent Jason Peters and County Attorney Sean Surrisi adjourned to review the bids so the county could meet the INDOT deadline.  After reviewing the bids presented, the commissioner awarded the paving work to Milestone. 

Peters had the three companies also bid for several additional paving projects adjacent to the Community Crossing projects.  The bids were opened but not acted upon.  Rieth Riley again was the high bidder at $578,270.  E & B Paving was second with a bid of $561,014, and Milestone was the lowest bidder on the additional paving projects at $537,904.

The commissioners anticipate awarding the additional paving projects at their next meeting.