The Derby City Council authorized a $2,183,621 construction contract with Pearson Construction LLC on Oct. 14 to reconstruct McIntosh Road, voting 7-0 to proceed.

City Engineer Alex Lane said the project follows a design study recommending an asphalt mat with ditches and improved shoulders, side-slope safety measures and a slightly wider pavement section. Bids were opened Sept. 30; Pearson’s low bid matched closely with the engineer’s estimate and was comfortably below the city’s $2.5 million budget for the project.

Lane said the contract permits an early start of Nov. 1 for some pipe and other preparatory work and a late start of Jan. 1 to avoid winter weather that could worsen temporary driving conditions for neighbors. Lane also confirmed the project will make the planned connection to the nearby industrial area and tie into existing utility work.

Why it matters: McIntosh Road has generated frequent resident complaints about conditions. The planned reconstruction aims to improve safety and reduce calls to public works by rebuilding the pavement section, improving drainage and adding shoulders.

Schedule and impacts: The project’s low bid and budget alignment allowed the council to proceed. Lane said the construction manager and public works crews expect to begin preliminary work in late fall and to continue full construction when weather permits. Staff noted contractors and public works will coordinate to minimize resident disruptions.

Action: Council Member Coleman moved to authorize execution of the contract; the motion passed unanimously.

Ending: Staff said they will notify residents about staging and start-date plans and will provide timelines as work progresses.