Altoona council approves contracts for Well No. 5 transmission main and 34th Avenue lift station

On March 2, 2026, the Altoona City Council approved multiple infrastructure contracts, including a contract for the Well No.5 raw water transmission main and a contract for a new sanitary sewer lift station on 34th Avenue NW.

Public Utilities Director Dan Scott told the council that six bids were received for the Well No.5 and NE 80th Street raw water transmission main project; the lowest responsive bid came from Max Smith Construction, LLC at $5,529,009.80, below the engineer's opinion of probable construction cost of $5,630,000. After a public hearing opened at 6:32 p.m. and drew no public comment, the council approved a resolution finally confirming the plans, specifications, form of contract and estimate of cost and then voted to award the contract; the motions were recorded as approved by roll call (recorded outcome 4-0; Councilmember McFadden absent). The award was made subject to legal review.

For the 34th Avenue NW Sanitary Sewer Lift Station Project, Scott said five bids were received and the lowest responsive bid was submitted by On Track Construction, LLC at $1,615,000, under the engineer's estimate of $1,900,000. The public hearing opened and closed at 6:37 p.m. with no public comment. Councilmember Duer moved to approve the plans and the contract and to accept the bid; those motions were approved by roll call (recorded outcome 4-0; McFadden absent) with the contract award recorded subject to legal review.

Both projects were presented to the council as construction items needed for ongoing utility expansion: the Well No.5/NE 80th Street line to connect to the new water treatment plant site, and the 34th Avenue lift station to serve future development north of 25th Street NW. Council did not receive public comments on either project during the hearings.

Votes at a glance - Water System Improvements 2024 (Well No.5 & NE 80th St. Raw Water Transmission Main): Lowest responsive bid Max Smith Construction, LLC — $5,529,009.80; engineer estimate $5,630,000; contract awarded subject to legal review; recorded roll-call outcome 4-0 (McFadden absent). - 34th Avenue NW Sanitary Sewer Lift Station Project: Lowest responsive bid On Track Construction, LLC — $1,615,000; engineer estimate $1,900,000; contract awarded subject to legal review; recorded roll-call outcome 4-0 (McFadden absent).

The council recorded approvals for these projects without amendment and directed awards be finalized after legal review. No hearings testimony or public opposition was recorded for either project. The city will proceed with contract finalization and construction scheduling according to the contracts and available funding information.