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Reconstruction bids $3 million under estimate
(by Sue Reid - December 16, 2009)
Reconstruction bids $3 million under estimate
By SUE REID
Nine bids were received last week for the Bainbridge Road reconstruction, with the apparent low bidder coming in roughly $3 million less than the engineer's estimate of $15.8 million.
Jamal Husani, chief transportation engineer with the Cuyahoga County Engineer's Office, said the number of bids that were opened Dec. 9 was more than normal. The project was expected to bring in several bids, he said, due to the large price tag and the state of the economy.
"We were very happy with this," Mr. Husani said of the bids. "It is roughly $3 million below the engineer's estimate. That saves us and the City of Solon a lot of money."
The apparent low bidder on the project was Digioia Suburban Excavating, of North Royalton, whichcame in at about $11.95 million. The highest bid came from Shelly and Sands Inc., of Columbus, at just over $15 million.
The other bids included: Anthony Allega Cement Construction, of Cleveland, about $13.7 million; Terrace Construction, of Cleveland, about $14.56 million; Kenmore Construction, of Akron, which currently is working in the city on the Pettibone Road project, about $12.8 million; Fabrizi Trucking and Paving Co., of Cleveland, about $13.4 million; Perk Co. Inc., of Cleveland, about $13.48 million; Karvo Paving Co., of Cuyahoga Falls, about $13.47 million; and Mr. Excavator, of Cleveland, about $13.16 million.
The next step, Mr. Husani said, is for his office to review the bids, make sure everything is in order and then forward them to the Ohio Department of Transportation.
"Once it's approved, we will be making a recommendation of an award to the county commissioners," Mr. Husani said. The recommendation is expected to be made within two to three weeks, he said.
Mr. Husani said that the normal practice is to go with the lowest bidder, as long as it is balanced and meets all requirements.
He said his office is still on schedule to give notice to proceed with the work on the project on April 1.
Solon Engineer John J. Busch said that, based on the economic climate, he was expecting the bids to be lower then the engineer's estimate.
"From the city's standpoint, we're very happy with the outcome of where the numbers are," Mr. Busch said. "Obviously, the county has to review them and make their recommendations and approve the contractor. From a dollars and sense standpoint, the job got a really good bid."
"We're anxious to get started," he said.
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