Council awards Bayspring culvert rehabilitation design-build contract, approves $500,000 not-to-exceed budget

The Town Council approved a design-build award to CB Utility Company (Bristol) for the Bayspring Avenue culvert rehabilitation project, accepting a low bid of $436,870 and authorizing an additional contingency of 15% for a not-to-exceed total of $500,000.

Town staff described the work as a permitting-focused, design-build approach that will attempt slip-lining of the existing corrugated metal culverts (one 60-inch and one 36-inch pipe) rather than excavating and replacing the whole roadway. The consultant and DPW representatives said the culverts are often submerged, complicating visual inspection and requiring bypass and dewatering approaches during construction. The culverts carry Anawan Scott Brook and the project scope includes avoiding disruption to the road where possible and addressing an adjacent sewer force main.

Councilors asked why bids varied widely; the DPW representative replied that CB Utility had prior local experience, including the town’s force-main slip-lining project, and that other bidders may have priced in less experience with slip-lining techniques.

The council motion authorized proceeding with the low bidder and included the 15% contingency to cover unknowns such as dewatering and permitting constraints. The motion passed 5-0.

Implementation notes: DPW and the selected design-build contractor will produce detailed permitting and construction schedules; council authorized the finance approach that will fund the award from bond proceeds allocated for infrastructure and culvert repairs.

Votes at a glance: Motion to award contract to CB Utility Company for $436,870 plus 15% contingency (not to exceed $500,000) passed 5-0.