Commissioners approve Highway 2 lighting contract after MnDOT pledges full construction funding

The East Grand Forks City Water and Light Commission voted to award the Business Highway 2 lighting construction contract to Northwest Electric after staff said the state transportation department pledged to cover construction costs and a portion of engineering observation.

Todd, the department head who presented the item, told the commission the utility had received a funding letter from MnDOT indicating 100% of construction costs would be funded and about 8% of engineering observation costs would be covered. Todd recommended the commission accept the previously received bid from Northwest Electric and move forward with contract execution.

The recommendation drew a motion, a second, and approval by roll call. The commissioners present voted in favor of awarding the contract. Todd said the project timeline anticipates most underground work this fall and finishing pole-setting and final wiring in the spring; he set a completion target of May 2026, noting that lighting cabinets and poles are still delayed by supply issues.

Todd said contract documents were being prepared to be issued immediately so work can proceed once the pre-construction schedule is finalized. The commission did not provide a detailed, unambiguous construction dollar figure in the meeting record; the bid amount recited in spoken remarks during the discussion was unclear in the transcript and is therefore not specified in this report.

The commission’s vote completes authorization to award the construction contract; staff will finalize contract paperwork and set the pre-construction meeting to establish a detailed work schedule.