Council approves nearly $13 million in citywide resurfacing contracts; members press for striping, curbs and ADA follow-up

The Birmingham City Council on July 22 approved three resolutions awarding citywide street resurfacing contracts to Dunn Construction Company Inc., with combined awards totaling $12,729,672.45.

The agreements are: $4,007,663 for ENG 02/2025 (contract 1); $4,461,496.60 for ENG 2025-14 (contract 2); and $4,260,512.85 for ENG 2015-15 (contract 3). The resolutions state each award is the "lowest responsible and responsive" bid and authorize the mayor to execute the contracts subject to available appropriation.

Councilors pressed administration staff after the approvals about whether the contracts require timely pavement markings, milling that preserves curbs and follow-up inspections. Councilor Abbott said the lack of striping is a public-safety problem and asked whether contracts include obligations to apply stop bars, crosswalks and parking striping promptly. "This is a public safety issue," Abbott said. "People are not stopping at stop signs anymore because there's no street markings to remind them that there's a stop sign there."

Denise Bell, director of capital projects, told the council the contracts include specifications for striping and that the city now expects temporary striping and stop bars within 21 days of paving and permanent striping within 42 days. Bell said the city has also contracted outside construction inspection services to augment the city's inspection capacity. "It is 21 days after pavement that we expect for the stop bars, etcetera, to all striping temporary striping to be in place. And then another 21 days, so in 42 days, you're supposed to see permanent," Bell said.

Councilors also raised concerns that recent repaving had left pavement level with curbs and blocked gutters, potentially increasing stormwater impacts. Pro Tem Alexander and Council President Daryl O'Quinn asked whether the contract specifications and inspection process ensure milling and grading protect existing curbs and drainage features. Bell said crews attempt corrective work when resurfacing reveals prior deficiencies and that the outsourced inspectors and the capital projects team will focus on those issues.

Council members discussed budget context during the debate. A city official noted prior budget authorization of about $15 million for paving in the fiscal year and that other segments and county collaborations will use portions of that allocation; a portion of funds also is reserved for emergency repairs.

All three resolutions passed by voice vote. The council took public questions and requested additional written details from capital projects and the Department of Transportation on—among other items—inspection timing, curb milling specifications and a list of streets covered by each contract.

Council members said they will follow up with staff for a more detailed written response and photo documentation for problem streets cited during the meeting.

The awards complete the council's scheduled business for the July 22 meeting.