Madera City Council approves $4.97 million water‑main replacement ahead of Caltrans work

MADERA, Calif. — The Madera City Council unanimously approved a $4,970,222 contract award Tuesday for a downtown water‑main replacement project the city said is needed before Caltrans repaves a segment of State Route 145 next year.

City staff presented the rebid for City Project W43, describing aging infrastructure, a condensed construction window to coordinate with Caltrans, and procurement results. "The water main that is being replaced is upwards of 75 years of age in some areas," said Jonathan Gomajo, a city staff member presenting the recommendation. He told the council the city received seven bids and identified a lowest responsive bid of $4,970,222.

The project covers water utilities within State Route 145 in the downtown area, and staff described several scope changes since the prior solicitation — removing a section on Lake Street, adding replacement of 34 fire hydrants, and clarifying Caltrans traffic‑control requirements. Gomajo said the work will include 6‑ to 12‑inch PVC main replacements, roughly 145 laterals (an approximate figure), installation of about 72 valves, and two jacking bores beneath the UPRR and MID. Staff recommended a 20% contingency allowance to reduce risk from unknown underground conditions.

Gomajo said timing was a central factor: the Caltrans capital preventive maintenance project is scheduled to begin May 15, 2026, and completing the water work beforehand would avoid utility cuts in newly paved streets. He said the project is funded from water utility funds.

After no public comment and no council questions, a motion to approve the contract award as presented passed unanimously. The council approved the action and then adjourned the special meeting at 6:11 p.m.

Votes at a glance: the motion to award the contract for City Project W43 (total recorded in the presentation as $4,970,222) passed unanimously; the consent calendar item A1 (easement deed) and the meeting agenda were also approved unanimously earlier in the session.

Transcripts show staff naming Rolfe Construction Inc. as the lowest responsive bidder at $4,970,222; in concluding remarks staff also referred to 'World Construction Inc.' when announcing the recommendation. That inconsistency appears in the meeting record. The council record of the approved dollar amount is $4,970,222 and the contract award resolution was adopted as presented.