Board approves bid recommendation for US 12 Access Drive; full MDOT approval still pending

The Edwardsburg Public Schools Board of Education approved a bid recommendation for the US 12 Access Drive bond project after staff reported the lowest responsive bid came in slightly under the district’s expected budget.

Staff said full approval from the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT) is still required for the project to proceed in its entirety. District representatives said they are working with engineering consultants (Skillman and Tower Pinkster) and expect an MDOT decision within about two weeks on a remaining traffic-control issue: whether the access drive needs to be right-turn-only or allow left turns as well.

District staff told the board that site clearing and the portions of the work directly behind the school buildings — including the back parking lots and student drop-off area — could begin promptly and would not be affected by MDOT’s decision on the far end of the project near the church. Staff said the primary parking/drop-off elements were prioritized so they can be completed before winter even if other parts of the project extend into the school year.

Board members asked about timing and contingencies if MDOT denies the requested turning movement; staff said they would continue to work with MDOT to make the access as usable as possible and consider alternatives (for example, restricting certain turns from adjacent lots) if required. After a motion and second, the board approved the bid recommendation by voice vote.

Staff emphasized the bid’s favorable price relative to expectations and noted upcoming meetings with MDOT to resolve outstanding items; specific contract award dates or contractor names were not specified in the meeting.