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City awards bid to resurface Macquarie bike path; project to widen, start after July 4
Summary
Council approved the Macquarie bike path resurfacing as part of omnibus items. Staff said IDNR awarded a matching grant; the low bid was $236,664 from Manival Construction and the total contract including 10% contingency is $260,330.
Lake Forest — The City Council included the Macquarie bike path resurfacing project in its omnibus approvals Tuesday, awarding the contract to Manival Construction and approving a 10% contingency.
Staff presented details on a resurfacing and partial widening of the Macquarie Bike Path from Wesley to Old Elm. The council’s omnibus vote authorized the city manager to execute an agreement with Manival Construction for $236,664 and approved a 10% construction contingency of $23,666, bringing the total authorized cost to $260,330.
Superintendent of Engineering Byron Coutts told the council the project responds to community survey input asking for improved pedestrian and bicycle facilities and that the city applied for and received an Illinois Department of Natural Resources (IDNR) grant to help fund the work. Coutts said the city budgeted $450,000 for the work, including a planned 50/50 grant split of up to $200,000; because the bid returned much lower than the budgeted figure, the local share would be smaller. Under the IDNR arrangement staff described, the city pays costs up front and files quarterly reimbursement requests to IDNR.
Coutts said the work will widen an existing narrow eight-foot section to 10 feet, matching prior improvements, and that crews are planning a roughly three-week construction window timed to minimize summer user disruption. Staff estimated work would start about July 7, immediately after July 4, and finish before Lake Forest Day. A detour route for cyclists and pedestrians was presented: users will be rerouted via Sheridan, the sidewalk under the viaduct, Beverly and residential streets to Old Elm; at Old Elm cyclists will use the roadway and pedestrians the sidewalk.
The council’s omnibus vote that included the Macquarie award passed 8-0. Council backup materials show four bids were received and Manival’s low bid was substantially below the $450,000 budgeted figure, which staff attributed to competitive pricing this season.
Coutts acknowledged additional nearby construction in the neighborhood and said staff would coordinate detours if conflicts arise. Construction signage plans and a QR code for more information were included in staff materials. The agreed payment/reimbursement schedule means the city will carry front-end cash flow for the project until IDNR reimburses the local half.
