Crown Point Board Approves Atlas Excavating's $51M Underground Project Bid

Crown Point City has taken a significant step towards enhancing its infrastructure by awarding a major construction project to Atlas Excavating. During the Board of Public Works and Safety meeting on May 20, 2025, city officials approved the base bid of $51,303,121, which includes essential modifications aimed at optimizing project execution.

The decision to award the contract to Atlas Excavating, based in Lafayette, Indiana, comes after careful consideration of their bid, which initially totaled $54,303,121. The city opted to accept two mandatory alternate deducts, which will streamline the project and reduce costs. Notably, one of the deducts eliminates surface restoration at the Summit Street and Erie Lackawanna Trail intersection, where a future roundabout is planned. This adjustment alone provides a credit of $119,500.

Another critical change involves allowing two crew operations instead of one, which will expedite the project timeline. This decision was influenced by feedback from other contractors who indicated that a single crew would not meet the two-year completion requirement. The city has identified a worksite with minimal risk, facilitating this dual-crew approach.

In addition to the project award, city officials discussed increasing the construction contingency from 5% to 10%. This increase is deemed necessary due to the underground nature of the project, which may present unforeseen challenges. The total project cost, including the contingency, remains approximately $3 million under budget.

The board's approval marks a pivotal moment for Crown Point, as this project has been in the works for several years. With the contract awarded, city leaders are optimistic about the improvements this project will bring to the community. The next steps will involve closely monitoring the project's progress and addressing any potential funding challenges that may arise from state-level decisions regarding infrastructure financing.