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Highway department approves purchase of pickup and awards Gorman Road bridge repair bid
Summary
The county highway department moved forward on two items: approval to purchase a 2025 Chevy Silverado 2500 HD pickup within budget, and awarding a $233,575.60 contract for bridge bearing and scour repairs on Gorman Road; the bridge bid exceeded the engineer’s estimate by 27.3 percent but was recommended for award.
The Grundy County Board approved two highway resolutions at the meeting: a vehicle purchase for the highway fleet and a contract award for bridge repair.
Highway Engineer Eric Gibson said the department followed its five‑year equipment plan and solicited state‑bid pricing for a crew‑cab, long‑bed 2025 pickup. Two local dealerships provided state‑bid prices; Gibson recommended purchasing a 2025 Chevy Silverado 2500 crew cab long box for $52,970.70, a figure the engineer said fell within the approved budget. The motion to purchase passed on a voice vote.
Gibson also summarized bids received for a bearing replacement and scour repair on the Gorman Road bridge over the Mazon River, including approach paving and intersection correction. The department opened bids on July 15; one bid was submitted — Reber Construction at $233,575.60 — against an engineer’s estimate of $183,430. Gibson explained the bid was 27.3 percent over estimate, that the engineer of record concurred with awarding given specialized work and market escalation, and that Reber Construction said it would not have bid substantially lower. Gibson reported budget funds were available and the Law and Highway committee had recommended award. The board approved the contract award following roll‑call confirmation.
Gibson said the county had contacted the engineer of record for concurrence on the over‑estimate and that price escalation and contractor availability contributed to the higher bid. The contract is intended to address structural bearings and scour vulnerability and to repave approaches; the county did not identify a change to the project scope. County staff said the project will proceed under the approved contract.
