Elkhart Board approves multi‑million sewer contracts, consulting agreements and change orders
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Summary
The Board of Works awarded major sewer reconstruction contracts for Oakland Avenue projects (CNE Excavating and Selj Construction), approved professional services for County Road 6 capacity improvements and pedestrian crossing work, ratified partial payments and a change order on Oakland Avenue force main, and declared an emergency stormwater repair on Lexington Avenue.
The City of Elkhart Board of Works on Nov. 4 approved multiple capital‑project actions, including awarding two large contracts for the Oakland Avenue sewer and street reconstruction program and several related payments and modifications.
The board awarded bid #25‑18 (Oakland Project C — Harrison Street sewer separation and reconstruction) to CNE Excavating for $8,269,675 and bid #25‑19 (Oakland Project D — 3rd Street and Jackson Boulevard reconstruction) to Selj Construction for $13,587,300.40. Both awards were made subject to closing of the State Revolving Fund bond scheduled for Nov. 25, according to city staff. Jeff Schafer, city engineer, noted the bids came in under budget and staff recommended awarding to the lowest responsive, responsible bidders.
Jason Simnick, project manager, reported ongoing work on the Oakland Avenue force main Phase A project, including surface paving on Indiana Street and a planned road reopening. The board ratified partial payment request #27 to CNE Excavating for $543,404 (SRF loan WW22162005) plus $28,023 from loan DW22232001, and approved a partial payment of $14,010 to StructurePoint for design services on Harrison Street. The board also approved change order #5 for the Oakland Avenue Forcemain Phase A project, increasing the contract by $95,318 to a new total of $12,457,097.38; the added work installs curb the street department requested and agreed to fund.
On transportation planning, staff recommended and the board authorized a professional services agreement with United Consulting to study County Road 6 capacity and interim improvements, including potential signals at DCO Drive and Northland Drive and a two‑way center turn lane; funding for the study will come from the common council engineering fees, and construction appropriations will be requested later. Jeff Schafer said the work may include fiber to coordinate signals and options such as center turn lanes and medians.
The board also authorized DLZ Indiana to design pedestrian crossing improvements at Strong Avenue / Epiphany Street (fees not to exceed $91,900) and approved an interlocal agreement with the Elkhart County Drainage Board for Pratt Ditch maintenance (50/50 cost share). The board declared an emergency for a stormwater repair on Lexington Avenue after crews found a sinkhole and severely deteriorated corrugated metal pipe; staff will proceed with immediate repairs.
What’s next: The Oakland awards were made contingent on SRF bond closing; staff will continue project oversight, process SRF disbursements, and return to the board with further payments and construction appropriations as needed.
