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Supervisors approve $1.8 million federal-aid paving project for Bowker Road (McCabe to Ross)
Summary
Board approved plans and specifications to bid Bowker Road rehabilitation (McCabe to Ross), a federally aided project estimated at $1.8 million; county’s share estimated at 10 percent.
The Board of Supervisors approved plans and specifications to advertise and bid a federal-aid rehabilitation project for Bowker Road from McCabe to Ross, an early phase of a multi-phase local road plan.
John Gay, Imperial County Public Works director, said the project is estimated at roughly $1.8 million and that, because it is federally aided, Imperial County’s share would be approximately 10 percent — about $180,000 — with the remainder reimbursed by the grant program. Gay described a multi-pronged prioritization process that considered public outreach, field crew assessment, grant eligibility and liability risk when selecting roads for funding.
Supervisor Peggy Price pressed for details on how roads are prioritized and why the Balcar/Bowker segment was chosen; Gay said outreach and community advisory committees are used to identify priorities and that the county blends public input with technical assessments and available federal and state funding constraints.
The project uses thicker pavement sections and geosynthetic materials in places to improve structural integrity; Gay said the county is balancing force-account paving and public contracting and that final costs will be determined by bids. “We leverage our federal funds,” Gay said, noting the large portion of the cost is reimbursable.
Board action: Supervisor Ryan Elliott Kelly moved to approve the plans and go to bid; Chairman John Hawk seconded and the motion carried. Staff will advertise the work and return with bid results for the board’s consideration and contract approval.
Context: Gay told the board that construction costs are currently high and that actual contract prices will be known only after public bids are opened. He said the county is aiming to finalize an SB 1 project list by June and continue community outreach in northern areas that have not yet had meetings.
Ending: The board authorized the project to proceed to bid and directed staff to return with bid results and contract recommendations once procurement is complete.
