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Commission authorizes bids for Century Drive reconstruction, debates sidewalk scope
Summary
Goshen engineers won permission to advertise bids for the Century Drive reconstruction (Job 2024-30) with a recommended 15% contingency to cover a revised pavement section and possible material price increases; commissioners discussed whether sidewalks should be included and will decide after bids are received.
The Goshen Redevelopment Commission authorized staff on March 10 to advertise construction bids for the Century Drive reconstruction (Job 2024-30), with staff recommending a 15% contingency to account for a changed pavement section and possible higher asphalt and undercutting costs.
Andrew, representing the Engineering Department, explained the recommendation to increase contingency from 5% to 15: “we are changing the pavement section a bit from what they had essentially adding an inch of asphalt and subtracting two inches of stone approximately…that’s not reflected yet in the cost estimate,” he said, describing the change as intended to better align with other industrial corridors.
Staff proposed the base bid include a sidewalk on the west side from College Avenue to Kercher Road, with alternates omitting segments or the sidewalk entirely. Commissioners pressed staff on who will decide whether the sidewalk is built; Andrew said the commission will review bid prices and decide whether the sidewalks are justified as part of the project.
Discussion noted the sidewalk would provide key connections — tying College Avenue multi-use trail and existing Eisenhower Drive facilities — but commissioners also raised concerns about pedestrian use versus cyclist preferences and about the roadway’s industrial character. The commission voted to advertise bids as proposed; the motion passed unanimously (four to zero).
Staff said the bid schedule anticipates advertising with a projected construction schedule that may place work in 2029, and that alternates will allow the commission to weigh costs versus connectivity after bids are returned.
