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Commissioners award DRRP engineering contract to Blythe Engineering, approve 2016-flood road projects
Summary
Walker County approved an engineering contract award for the Disaster Recovery Reallocation Program (DRRP) and authorized two DRRP project applications tied to 2016 flood-affected roads, prioritizing areas with existing surveys to meet tight GLO deadlines.
Walker County — The commissioners awarded the engineering/architect services contract for a DRRP program to Blythe Engineering (award recorded as resolution 2025-86) and approved two $2 million DRRP project applications for roads affected by the 2016 flood, choosing areas with existing surveys to meet a short state deadline.
County staff told the court the DRRP funding is reallocated money from a 2016 flood program; the money requires a rapid turnaround and strict 24‑month completion requirements. Staff recommended selecting projects where topographic and income surveys already exist to meet the GLO deadlines and environmental and engineering timelines. The two DRRP applications carry $2,000,000 each, with a county match of $200,000 per project.
Commissioners discussed which vendor to award for engineering services. The evaluation team’s prior scoring showed GLS and an SPI firm among the applicants, with two top scorers separated by small point differences. Several commissioners favored awarding the contract to the engineering firm already performing earlier work on the corridor to maintain continuity. One commissioner said that Blythe (also spelled variably in the record) was performing the initial 5,500 feet of a longer project and that awarding Blythe would avoid retaking surveys or redoing design work. Following motion and second, the court approved the award; resolution 2025-86 was moved and carried.
On project selection, staff proposed using the DRRP funds for street improvements in areas tied to earlier MITMOD surveys — specifically Wood Farm area (including Wood Farm Road and connecting roads), Riverside Harbor subdivision and Forgotten Forest — and confirmed the applications must tie back to the 2016 flood events. Commissioners ultimately approved two DRRP projects (DRP-3011450 and DRP-3011451 in the meeting record) for roads in Precincts 3 and 4 affected by the 2016 floods. The court recorded a hand/voice vote; one member who left briefly was recorded as not present for the final tally and the motion carried.
Ending: Staff will proceed with executing the engineering contract and preparing the DRRP applications and match documentation for submission before the GLO deadline. The projects will follow the 24-month contract and strict completion rules attached to DRRP reallocated funds.
