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Council awards $6.43 million contract to relocate Sunnyvale utilities for US-80 widening
Summary
The council approved a $6,428,401.96 contract to J & L Construction for utility relocations required by TxDOT's US-80 reconstruction; staff reported a larger-than-expected bid variance and said consultants conducted due diligence on the low bidder before recommending award.
The Town Council on June 9 voted 6-0 to award a $6,428,401.96 contract to J & L Construction LLC for water-line relocations and upsizing along U.S. 80, work required to accommodate the Texas Department of Transportation's US-80 reconstruction.
Assistant Town Engineer Elmer Benitez told council the town received five bids for the relocation/upsizing project; staff and the town's design consultant estimated a construction cost of about $5.5 million but the low bid from J & L was $6.428 million with the competing bids significantly higher. "One of the biggest bid items they were consistently lower on was the pipe bursting," Benitez said, and staff said their consultant verified references and prior work before recommending award.
Benitez outlined the project schedule, saying that if the contract were awarded the town would start construction this month and the contract documents call for a 180‑day timeline to complete relocations so Sunnyvale meets TxDOT's schedule.
Council members asked how the team would ensure timely completion. Benitez said the town meets monthly with TxDOT and other utilities to coordinate relocations; staff also emphasized contract administration and contractor references checked by the design consultant.
A council motion to approve the award to J & L Construction passed unanimously (6-0); Mayor George was absent. The approved contract total, as noted in the bid, included the unusual cents amount ($6,428,401.96) submitted by the contractor and accepted by staff.
Benitez said the relocations will also increase system capacity as the town ties into TxDOT's broader project and that the town had previously funded subsurface utility engineering and design work to prepare for the bid.
