Torrington awards East D Street reconstruction contract to Nebraska firm

The Torrington City Council on April 1 approved awarding the East D Street improvements contract to Eric Reichert Insulation & Construction of Scottsbluff, Neb. Staff recommended the low bid of $6,075,831.58 with a $400,750.42 contingency (6.6%) for a project total of $6,476,582.

The project will replace roughly 6,750 feet of existing 4‑inch ductile iron water main with 8‑inch C900 PVC, install new storm sewer pipe (including 2,976 feet of 30‑inch reinforced concrete pipe and additional 24‑ and 18‑inch runs), reconstruct pavement with 8 inches of Portland cement concrete, and replace curb, gutter, sidewalk and ADA ramps. The work also includes new laterals, manholes and standard inlets; new hydrants and service stubs will be provided as part of the contract. Public Works Director Tom Harkins said the estimate and funding package on file totals about $7 million, which staff believes covers construction, contingency and engineering.

Don Dye of MC Schaff & Associates, the city’s engineer on the project, told council the bid quantities and rates had been reviewed and that the firm was comfortable recommending the low bidder after checking references and prior projects in Nebraska where the contractor had completed similar work. Dye said the contractor anticipated beginning work in May if contracts are executed, and that the contract allows a winter shutdown; liquidated damages would apply if the June 30, 2026 substantial‑completion deadline is missed.

Council members asked about traffic control, staging and the contractor’s capacity to complete the work without leaving long open trenches during winter. Harkins said construction will be phased; the contract requires that disturbed areas be restored and maintained so residents retain driveway access and safe pedestrian routes, and the contractor must provide a construction schedule at the preconstruction meeting. Dye said typical practice will be a rolling closure of several blocks with detours; the entire roadway will not be left permanently inaccessible. He also confirmed the contract requires prevailing wages and that SRF (State Revolving Fund) requirements apply to materials and domestic‑manufacture rules for some funding sources.

Councilman John Diehl moved to award the contract as recommended; Councilman Kelly seconded. The council voted to approve the award.

If work proceeds on schedule, Harkins said residents should expect intermittent, short planned outages for service tie‑overs (typically half a day) with advance notice. The project replaces aging infrastructure largely installed in the 1940s–1950s and is intended to improve water pressure, capacity and stormwater conveyance along East D.

Funding shown in the project packet includes federal urban systems allocations, SRF funding and a state Capital Construction Loan; staff said those funding agencies had concurred with the recommendation to award.