Committee recommends $6.49 million award to replace College Boulevard bridge over Indian Creek

The Overland Park Public Works Committee on a 6-0 vote recommended that city council award a $6,487,848.90 contract to Pyramid Contractors Inc. to replace the College Boulevard bridge over Indian Creek.

Joel, a public works staff member who presented the item, said the project is a full replacement that will keep the existing lane configuration and add multi-use paths on both sides of the bridge. "We opened bids on April 15 and received five bidders," Joel said, adding that the city and its consultant reviewed the bid tabs and identified Pyramid as the apparent lowest and best responsible bidder.

The committee discussed schedule, traffic impacts and a narrower-than-expected spread among low bids. Joel said the contract requires all lanes to be open by June 1, 2026, and allows the contractor 270 days of full closure; he estimated major disruptions could occur in August or September if full closure is used. He also said concrete girders likely would not be ready for delivery until early October under current projections.

Committee members pressed staff on the difference between the engineer's estimate and the bid amounts. Joel said three low bidders were within about $200,000 of one another and that the city had confidence in the bidders because they have competitively bid recent local projects and are familiar with the city's plans and specifications. He described the unit-price bid detail as including labor, materials, equipment, overhead and profit.

Staff said the project will close the existing Indian Creek Trail under the bridge for up to the 270-day closure and that a detour route for pedestrians and bicyclists will be provided. The vehicular detour will use Antioch, Quivira and 103rd Street; a hard closure permitting no through traffic is planned between Masten and Grant, but residents and businesses will retain access. Staff said they will construct a sidewalk in front of a nearby hotel as part of the detour work and realign portions of the trail to reduce steep grades.

Committee members raised concerns about business impacts from a long closure, citing recent high-profile reports of businesses affected by other downtown construction. Staff said they had coordinated early with the Overland Park Chamber of Commerce and property managers in the Corporate Woods area and plan outreach to affected businesses to mitigate impacts.

The committee voted 6-0 to recommend city council approve the award. The motion was moved and seconded during the meeting; the vote tally recorded was six in favor, none opposed.

Planning documents presented to the committee show the project is part of the city's capital improvements program and that staff expect construction to start in summer 2025 with substantial work occurring through spring 2026. The replacement includes sidewalk and trail improvements the city says will improve accessibility on the routes adjacent to the bridge.

The project will return for any required council approvals and for final construction scheduling. Staff said they will provide detour maps and a communications plan to affected businesses and residents before construction begins.