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Committee approves Flax Hill Road paving, sidewalk and water main contract with joint SNEW funding
Summary
The committee awarded a joint project contract for Flax Hill Road to Guerrera Construction, with the city's base bid and a separately funded alternate for South Norwalk Electric & Water (SNEW); staff explained the 10% contingency and technical risks near Washington Street where rock excavation and lowering the road may be required.
The Norwalk Public Works Committee on May 20 authorized execution of contracts and funding agreements for project RD-2025-2 (Flax Hill Road): roadway paving, sidewalks and water main installation from Washington Street to Arbor Drive.
City staff said the base bid that covers sidewalks, curbs and paving will be funded by the city for an amount of $2,655,816.80. An alternate (Alternate 1) that covers work to be funded by South Norwalk Electric & Water (SNEW) was listed at $1,985,560; staff said the city will manage the overall project while SNEW funds and completes its water‑main installation. Staff reported the bid opening produced four bidders and Guerrera Construction was the lowest responsible bidder.
Engineering staff explained a 10% contingency is being set aside because the project requires deep excavation in some locations, especially near the Washington Street end where the roadway may need to be lowered and unforeseen rock or poor soils could increase costs. “You could dig down the area and you could have rock in the area … or bad soil,” a staff presenter said, noting contingencies are standard and the SNEW portion is expected to fund its own utility installation costs if unusual conditions affect that work.
Committee members asked about the contingency split and whether SNEW would share contingencies; staff said the contingency is budgeted with the city’s project funds but that SNEW would be expected to fund its own additional work associated with its water‑main installation. The motion to authorize the mayor to execute the contract and to enter a funding agreement with SNEW passed unanimously.
