Chambers County approves up-to-$2.5M contract for chip sealing on county roads

Chambers County—s commissioners on May 15 approved awarding a chip-seal contract to Clark Construction, with staff recommending the court authorize a maximum spend of $2.5 million while they negotiate final pricing.

County road maintenance staff told the court the bid packet showed Clark—s submission at about $3 million, but available account balances total just over $2.5 million and the contractor agreed to discuss lowering the scope or price.

——————————————Zach, a county road official, said, "we're going to award to Clark Construction. Right now, we're looking at awarding it at a $2.5 million max...we're going to talk with the contractor and work that number get down." He added crews will coordinate to ensure roadways are ready for chip seal and that contractors can perform the work in a sequence that minimizes rework.

Staff described the work as chip sealing shale and rehabilitated roadways to extend surface life and free in-house crews to address heavier rehabilitation tasks. Commissioners asked whether bid items were comparable; staff confirmed bids were unit-priced (square foot, square yard or linear foot depending on item) and that the second bidder, Teal Construction, submitted a slightly higher bid.

The court approved the motion by voice vote; no roll-call tally was recorded in the meeting minutes. County staff said they will publish a list of roads scheduled for chip sealing once the contractor start dates are set so residents can expect temporary closures or single-lane operations.

The county did not provide a signed contract amount at the meeting; staff said negotiations and final scope would be completed before work begins.