Council accepts low bid for Avenue C bridge repairs; Wildcat Construction awarded $1,459,096 project

The Hutchinson City Council voted July 15 to award construction work on the Woody Seat Freeway bridge over the K&O Railroad and Avenue C to Wildcat Construction, the low bidder at $1,459,096.

Justin Karam, construction manager in the city engineering division, described the work as full-depth repairs to the median and outside barriers and maintenance to the bridge deck, including concrete patching and a 2.25-inch Portland cement concrete overlay. The project is scheduled to begin in the fall and carry a substantial-completion date of June 28, 2026.

Karam said the low bid “was submitted by Wildcat Construction in the amount of $1,459,096,” and that while that figure exceeded the city engineer’s estimate, the unit prices reflected current market conditions and Wildcat’s past work for the city and on regional bridge projects.

Funding and schedule: the project design was completed by J O Consulting Group and the work was included in the 2024 CIP funded by general obligation bonds; staff noted ARPA and other adjustments reduced net bonding needs on related corridor work. Council approved the project award and authorized the mayor to sign the construction contract.

What’s next: staff will proceed with contract execution and schedule coordination to align the bridge repairs with the Woody Seat Phase 2 schedule and related traffic changes.