Council approves funding and contract award for Greenville Loop Trail Section 3

The Wilmington City Council voted unanimously Jan. 20 to appropriate $3,701,766 for Greenville Loop Trail Section 3 and to award the construction contract to Morgan Trucking & General Construction, the low bidder at $3,724,359.

Division Project Manager Mike Niklicki told the council the project is part of the citizen-approved transportation bond and will add about 4.3 miles to the citys trail network, connecting schools, parks, neighborhoods and existing bikeways. "We have a low bid price of $3,724,359," Niklicki said, and recommended passage of both the ordinance and the companion resolution to award the contract. He said the contractor is a local firm that has completed prior bond projects and meets the citys participation goals.

Niklicki described planned safety improvements, including a pedestrian signal at Bradley Creek Elementary to improve student crossing, and said the city expects to complete construction by late fall if the contract is executed. He outlined the funding mix presented to council: a majority from the transportation bond (a little over $2 million), about $650,000 from a separate capital improvement project for sidewalks, and roughly $900,000 from the transportation motor-vehicle tax. Niklicki noted the funding includes a contingency for potential construction unknowns.

Council member Joyner moved approval and Council member Andrews seconded. After a brief procedural exchange the council voted "aye" unanimously on the ordinance, waived the second reading, and approved the contract award.

With the votes completed, city staff said they will execute the contract and schedule preconstruction work and notices to proceed. The councils action authorizes the city manager to move forward with procurement and construction; staff will report progress through standard project reporting channels.

Provenance: Topic introduced SEG 058; presentation and Q&A SEG 065—6; votes and contract award SEG 279—310.