Fraser — The Fraser City Council authorized a contract award on Monday for reconstruction of roads and utilities in the city’s Industrial Park, accepting a low bid of $10,284,306.22 from Mark Anthony Contracting.

The project scope includes full road reconstruction of streets in the Industrial Park, entrance improvements at 15 Mile Road and Commerce, replacement of failing storm sewers and a water main replacement along Commerce, Anderson Eckstein & Westrick (AEW) told the council. Council also established a construction contingency of 10 percent ($1,000,000) and authorized AEW to provide contract administration services estimated at 15 percent of the construction contract (about $1,500,000), with city administration empowered to use the contingency as needed.

AEW representative Ashley Carpenter said five bids were received and the low bidder had completed several comparable industrial road projects in the region under AEW oversight. Carpenter told council the contractor indicated he could meet the planned two‑year schedule and, if awarded, would start with CCTV inspection of the storm sewer system once contract documentation and preconstruction submittals are complete.

Council members asked about timing; AEW said the contractor typically has 14 days to submit required paperwork after receiving a notice of award and that the city could issue the notice immediately after council approval. The city manager and DPW superintendent were authorized to finalize contract details and to approve contract costs within the established contingency.

Why it matters: The Industrial Park project is one of the largest single public works contracts the city has awarded this year and includes critical storm sewer and water main replacement work. Council and AEW said the work was budgeted and planned across two fiscal years to reduce the immediate impact on the city’s operating budget.

What’s next: Staff will execute contract documents, issue a notice of award and begin preconstruction coordination. Residents and businesses in and around the Industrial Park should expect multi‑season construction activity and periodic traffic and access changes during the two‑year work window.