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Board awards $1.19 million contract to replace Second Street sanitary sewer; trustees ask staff to seek savings
Summary
The Town of Carbondale awarded a $1,192,325 contract to Escalation Services Inc. to replace the Second Street sanitary sewer. Trustees noted the bid exceeded the 2025 budget by about 49 percent and asked staff to pursue cost reductions; funding will come from the town's wastewater fund.
The Town of Carbondale Board of Trustees voted unanimously to award a construction contract to Escalation Services Inc. for the Second Street sanitary sewer replacement project.
Kevin, a town staff member overseeing the project, told trustees the single bid received totaled $1,192,325. He said the amount is roughly 49 percent higher than the figure the town included in its 2025 budget and that added manholes contributed about $250,000 of the increase. Staff confirmed the wastewater fund can cover the contract and said they will attempt to reduce costs through prework or other measures before construction begins.
Trustees discussed alternatives during the presentation. Staff advised against a pipelining (lining) alternative because of the existing pipe material and the shorter expected lifespan of lining (about 20 years) compared with replacing the pipe with new PVC, which has an expected lifespan of roughly 50 years. The board also discussed whether tactical urbanism or bike-lane opportunities could be combined with the work; staff said the sewer is located on the east side of Second Street so the project is unlikely to create immediate bike-lane opportunities but repaving later could allow striping adjustments.
Trustee Colin moved to approve the contract award and Trustee Ross seconded. The motion passed unanimously. Trustees asked Public Works to finalize the contract, report a construction timeline, and return with any potential cost reductions.
Clarifying details: the recorded bid amount is $1,192,325; staff estimated roughly $250,000 of the cost increase stems from added manholes; staff said lining would offer about a 20-year lifespan compared with roughly 50 years for new PVC pipe. Funding source: wastewater fund.
Implementation notes: staff indicated the project timing was selected to avoid the school year and that construction will narrow parts of the roadway during work. Trustees requested a follow-up report on schedule and any identified savings.
