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City reviews low bid for Wilson Pike waterline upgrade; staff says project comes in under budget
Summary
Staff recommended awarding the Wilson Pike waterline contract to Cumberland Pipeline LLC with a low bid of $2,144,200 for a 3,200-foot 12-inch-to-16-inch replacement, which staff said is well under the $2.75 million budget; the project will require TDOT permits and is expected to run into early 2026.
City staff briefed the commission on May 20 about the Wilson Pike waterline project and a recommendation to award construction to the low bidder, Cumberland Pipeline LLC of Columbia, Kentucky. Staff described the work as replacing approximately 3,200 feet of existing 12-inch water main with a 16-inch line between Twin Springs and Crockett Road on Wilson Pike.
Staff said the project was bid as a package with two smaller, previously rebid water projects to encourage contractor interest and reduce per-unit costs; combining the projects yielded an estimated savings of roughly $160,000 on the smaller components, staff said. Bid results ranged from a low of $2,144,200 to a high of $3,374,000, and the low bid was below the $2,750,000 project budget.
Staff told commissioners they checked references for Cumberland Pipeline LLC and said the firm has done work in Tennessee and has appropriate references. Commissioners asked about traffic impacts, and staff replied that the road is TDOT right-of-way, so contractors must obtain TDOT permits and follow an approved traffic-control plan; staff said day-to-day work would remain in the right-of-way and the road is expected to stay open with periodic short closures or flagging operations. Staff estimated construction to begin within about 60 days and continue into February or March 2026.
Why it matters: The upgrade to a larger main is intended to serve future demand and increase system capacity along Wilson Pike; the low bid coming in under budget would reduce expected city capital expenditures for the project if awarded as recommended.
What comes next: Staff will present the contract award for formal action; work will proceed after TDOT permits are secured and a formal contract is executed.
