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Merriam awards $2.87 million contract for 40th/9th Street improvements
Summary
Council approved a $2,866,714.50 contract with Amino Brothers Construction Inc. for street, sidewalk, stormwater and bike-lane work on 40th/9th from Schweitzer to Antioch; land acquisitions remain in process.
The Merriam City Council voted 8-0 to award a $2,866,714.50 construction contract to Amino Brothers Construction Inc. for the 40 Ninth Street (Schweitzer to Antioch) improvement project.
Public Works Director Kumpke described the project scope as a 2-inch mill and overlay, replacement of curb and gutter, pavement markings, stormwater improvements, new sidewalks on both sides of the street, replacement of existing sidewalks, and a bike lane on the south side from Knox to Antioch. The bid package included a bid alternate to replace up to nine gravel driveways under a driveway grant program; Amino Brothers was the low bidder among six contractors.
Kumpke noted utilities work that will overlap with the project: WaterOne is replacing a water main from Knox to Antioch (currently working between Benson and Antioch), producing eastbound lane drops during work; Kansas Gas planned to begin non-pavement right-of-way work the following day. Kumpke said 56 of 69 property takings/easements had been secured, with 13 remaining; the city filed an ordinance in district court and expected the outstanding easements to be acquired by no later than June 1.
When asked about bicycle routing, Kumpke explained the design provides a protected eastbound bike lane while westbound cyclists will use sharrows because parking on both sides constrained space. "It is a little different to only have 1 bike lane, but they will only, eastbound traffic will use the bike lane, and then westbound traffic, bike traffic will not have a back bike lane. They will have sharrows to indicate that is a bike route," Kumpke said.
Council Member Chandra moved approval and Mr. Knozmar seconded. The clerk recorded the vote as: Council member Hans — Aye; Council member Kaldahl — Aye; Council member Lehi — Aye; Council member Reiter — Aye; Council member Silvers — Aye; Council member Yachtrich — Aye; Council member Chavetta — Aye; Council member Kostmeier — Aye. Motion passes 8-0.
The council distinguished the contract award from the remaining property-acquisition steps: staff said negotiations remain possible even after court proceedings are initiated and that landowners may negotiate up to and including after appraisal hearings. Kumpke said the city would continue working with the land acquisition attorney and city attorney to complete easements.
