Florence council approves $3.22 million contract for Hunt Highway/Attaway intersection after developer objects
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Summary
The Florence Town Council voted Jan. 6 to award a $3,222,429.85 CMAR contract to Banneke Construction for the Hunt Highway and Attaway Road intersection despite a developer’s request to postpone for additional stakeholder input; council also authorized Trace Consulting for construction administration.
Mayor Eaton and the Florence Town Council on Jan. 6 approved a $3,222,429.85 construction‑manager‑at‑risk (CMAR) guaranteed maximum price (GMP) with Banneke Construction to rebuild the intersection at Hunt Highway and Attaway Road.
The vote came after developer Kevin Peterson asked the council during the first call to the public to delay action "30 to 45 days," saying owners and stakeholders had not been given a chance to "suggest solutions, provide input, or discuss alternatives" and urging more time for coordination. "I respectfully ask council to postpone tonight's vote for 30 to 45 days," Peterson said.
Public works staff and the project contractor described the scope as an intersection rebuild that includes a new signal, pavement preservation (a chip‑seal from Felix to the firehouse) and other improvements. Lindsay Randall of public works told council the construction schedule is "roughly" seven months and that the procurement packet includes a contingency for special event traffic control during Country Thunder.
George Lane Roberts, vice president of Banyan Construction speaking as the CMAR team representative, said construction would not reduce existing traffic movements during the work. "At no time during the construction of this project will the existing traffic movements be diminished," he said.
Councilmembers who spoke in favor framed the project as long‑overdue infrastructure that will improve traffic flow and emergency response. Mayor Eaton said the town had discussed the project for years and that moving forward now addresses a need residents have raised repeatedly. Councilmember 13 moved to enter into the CMAR contract (GMP #3); the motion was seconded, a reverse roll call was conducted, and the measure carried with the members present voting yes.
Alongside the construction award the council authorized a contract with Trace Consulting to provide construction administration and inspection services for the project, with a not‑to‑exceed amount for Trace reported in the packet. Staff said Trace will act as QA/QC and provide on‑site inspection services because the town has limited inspector staffing.
Next steps: staff will finalize contract documents and proceed with construction procurement and preconstruction activities. The council emphasized outreach and noted that detailed traffic‑analysis and staging plans remain required before final construction starts.
