By HOLLY GASKILL
After receiving none or only one bid for several packages, the county will be re-bidding for the highway garage project.
The packages for re-bid will be general trades, overhead doors, drywall/acoustical, painting, fire protection, fencing and landscaping.
The exception to this was the package for pre-cast concrete planks, which received one bid of $86,275 from StresCore of South Bend, but was on budget and the only anticipated bid. County commissioners approved the bid from the recommendation of project manager Conor Jackson.
While Jackson said he expected this re-bidding process, it will set the project back from originally planned, though still falling within the original timeframe. According to Jackson, the project cost sits between $9-9.4 million. The re-bid date will be Sept. 1.
Outside of the construction project, highway supervisor Shawn Bonar said his team is still working through their chip and seal road conversion, currently working on County Road 800E.
He also said they’re still encountering intersections where crop growth is creating a traffic safety hazard. Having given notice through public meetings, Bonar said his team would begin trimming back those intersections on Wednesday if the property owners do not remedy the issue.
“I just don’t want an accident to happen or anybody injured,” Bonar said.
Additionally, Bonar reported that the vacant mechanic position has been filled. The department normally operates with two mechanics but had been continuing its functions with neither for about a month. While one mechanic is still out due to an accident, Bonar said he hopes they can get back on track.
holly@news-banner.com
