Council Approves New Bid for General Construction After Initial Proposal Exceeds Estimates

Idaho Falls City Council has taken a significant step towards improving local infrastructure by approving a new bid for general construction related to a critical utility project. During the meeting on August 14, 2025, the council addressed the challenges faced in the initial bidding process, particularly concerning the general construction costs, which exceeded the engineering estimates by a substantial margin.

The project, which involves looping the feed to an alleyway, initially received a bid of $1.2 million for general construction—far above the estimated $500,000. The high costs were attributed to the complexity of the work, which included plans to run utilities underground beneath railroad tracks and Yellowstone Avenue. In response to these inflated bids, the council approved the rejection of the initial general construction bid and opted to revise the project scope.

The revised plan eliminates the need for underground work under the railroad and Yellowstone, allowing for a more cost-effective approach while still achieving the goal of looping the feed. This adjustment is crucial as it enhances the reliability of utility services, enabling the city to isolate outages and minimize disruptions for residents.

The council has now accepted a new bid from B Jackson Construction for the general construction work, set at a not-to-exceed amount of $509,754.94. This decision is expected to streamline the project and ensure that it remains within budget while addressing the community's utility needs effectively.

The council's proactive measures in managing the bidding process and adjusting project parameters reflect a commitment to fiscal responsibility and infrastructure improvement, ultimately benefiting Idaho Falls residents. As the project moves forward, the city anticipates enhanced service reliability and reduced outage risks for the community.