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County disputes DOT repair of 300-foot concrete shoulder; contractor offered $14,000 credit
Summary
County highway staff told the committee they are in a dispute with the Department of Transportation over about 300 feet of shoulder paving the county says was damaged by rain; DOT offered a $14,000 credit but county staff say full remove-and-replace would cost an estimated $30,000.
County highway staff told the County Highway Committee on June 17 that they are in a dispute with the state Department of Transportation over roughly 300 feet of shoulder paving that was damaged during recent work. The county said the contractor completed joint and small repairs and tied in shoulder paving, but approximately 300 feet of the shoulder portion was later rained on and is now contested.
Why it matters: the county said the project is at its funding cap, and how the damage is resolved affects whether the county will pay additional costs or accept a credit against the contract. County staff reported preliminary numbers showing a remove-and-replace would cost about $30,000; DOT has proposed a no-pay item that would credit $14,000.
County staff described options discussed with DOT. Staff said DOT personnel believe the post‑repair work (removing material, setting forms, adding material and reworking) is sufficient and that the concrete will last. County staff said they have offered to accept the $14,000 credit only if it comes with a five‑year warranty from DOT; staff also cited a prior arrangement in which DOT assumed ownership and maintenance responsibility on a different bridge project as precedent for a formal warranty arrangement.
Committee members asked whether the $14,000 credit would be split with the state or returned directly to the county; staff replied the $14,000 represents an amount the county would not be paying and would therefore reduce county costs under the project funding cap. Staff said they will escalate the issue through DOT and that DOT is scheduling a meeting of section chiefs to discuss next steps.
No formal action was taken at the meeting; the staff update concluded with staff saying they will pursue meetings with DOT and report back to the committee.
