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County approves DOT reimbursement amendment, awards $2.75 million resurfacing contract for Baskin–Norris/State Road 47
Summary
The Columbia County Board of County Commissioners approved a DOT contract amendment changing a state-funded grant to a reimbursement agreement and awarded a resurfacing contract for the section of Baskin–Norris that runs to State Road 47. Commissioners discussed project phasing, timing and advanced traffic messaging for nighttime work.
The Columbia County Board of County Commissioners approved a Federal/State reimbursement arrangement with the Florida Department of Transportation and awarded a resurfacing contract for the portion of Baskin–Norris running to State Road 47.
County attorney Joel (County Attorney) said DOT requested a paperwork change to convert a previously approved state-funded grant agreement into a reimbursement agreement so the agency could issue payments on the correct form. “The amendment changes the title and then takes out the parts that are relevant to a state funded grant agreement,” Joel said, recommending approval so DOT could move forward with the projects.
The board also approved construction of the resurfacing segment between the ball fields and Faith Road. County staff said bids initially came in higher than expected; after negotiating more flexible nighttime work hours the contractor agreed to reduce the maintenance-of-traffic line item by $75,000. County staff requested award of bid number 2024-07 to Henderson Columbia Company and approval of the construction agreement in the amount stated on the agenda ($2.75040409 as recorded in the meeting packet).
Commissioners asked about phasing and traffic impacts. Staff described the resurfacing as an intermediate step ahead of a future two‑lane-to‑four‑lane conversion and said phase 2 would include additional improvements and retention pond work. Staff said the county will use variable message boards and extended night shifts to limit daytime impacts and that the county will issue a 14‑day notice to proceed once contract exchanges are complete. Staff also said temperature restrictions delayed starting earlier in the winter; they expected work to begin in the coming months and aimed to complete critical work before the next school term.
Action items recorded at the meeting show the board approved the DOT reimbursement-agreement amendment and approved award of bid number 2024-07 to Henderson Columbia Company with the contract amount shown in the meeting record.
Details recorded in the meeting: the DOT amendment was described as a housekeeping change (title and form) and the resurfacing contract included a negotiated $75,000 reduction in a traffic control line item; staff noted escrowed developer funds of about $485,000 for turn lanes at a nearby site would be captured in the project.
The board did not identify additional conditions on the contracts beyond standard procurement and construction oversight.
