Council awards $458,043 preconstruction CMAR contract for second bridge project to Ames Construction

The Lake Havasu City Council voted 6–0 to award a construction-manager-at-risk (CMAR) preconstruction services contract for the city’s planned second bridge and roadway project to Ames Construction, Inc., for $458,042.96.

Staff described the contract as the preconstruction phase: Ames will join the design team and city staff to provide construction input, cost estimating, utility potholing and design support through the 30% drawings and permitting submittal to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Public Works staff said the preconstruction work is intended to reduce downstream cost risk by involving the contractor early in design.

Why it matters: The second-bridge project is a major capital undertaking. The state appropriated $35.5 million in one-time funds for an emergency-evacuation bridge; staff and council discussed prior feasibility work paid with a $200,000 state allocation and said the feasibility study informed the current design options believed to fit the state appropriation range.

During public comment and council discussion, members and residents asked whether the state funding will be sufficient for construction and how much of the $35.5 million had already been committed. City staff said about $6.5 million had been committed to design and preconstruction to date; staff also outlined steps to pursue potential lease-line adjustments with the State Land Department to shorten the crossing and reduce costs. Council and staff stressed the CMAR approach was chosen to bring contractor input early and help manage cost and constructability risks.

Councilmember Moses moved to award the preconstruction contract; Councilmember Koch seconded. The vote was 6–0.

Ending: If the project proceeds to construction, council will review a future guaranteed-maximum-price (GMP) package; staff said any construction-phase contract and GMP will return to the council for approval.